Christian Alshon, one of pickleball’s preeminent players today, has announced on social media that he and coach Leigh Waters have mutually agreed to end their player-coach relationship.
Alshon, ranked No. 6 in Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles, and No. 3 in Mixed Doubles, first worked with Waters in 2023 when the latter “practically introduced” the former to pro pickleball, allowing Alshon to make what he describes as the best decision in his life. Since then, Alshon has won seven PPA championships and 38 medals on his way to becoming one of the very best pickleball players today.
“I have some very sad news, but they say you should smile because it happened, don’t cry because it is over. After a few very helpful years of working together, Leigh Waters and I will no longer be coach and student. We will, however, always remain friends,” Alshon wrote on social media. “Leigh practically introduced me to professional pickleball, and with her advice, I made the choice to quit my senior year of tennis for pro pickleball. She believed in me before hardly anyone had. It is in part to her that I made the best decision of my life. I am forever thankful for that.”
Alshon later on explained why player and coach agreed to part ways: Waters’ obligation to her daughter, Anna Leigh Waters, and the fact that he and the younger Waters face each other in competition a little too often—and usually with very high stakes.
“Unfortunately though, all good things must come to an end. Leigh and I found ourselves competing against each other too often, with her first obligation to coach her daughter, Anna Leigh, and The Fives. This situation was more than understandable, but still very stressful for both of us. It was an arrangement that seemed doable on paper, and was at the start, but just didn’t work well long term,” Alshon pointed out.
The elder Waters is the mother and coach of women’s world No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters, who is widely regarded as one of pickleball’s GOATs alongside Ben Johns. Leigh is also the head coach of the New Jersey 5s in Major League Pickleball. While Leigh is Alshon’s coach, she remains on her daughter’s side when she and Alshon meet in competition—something that has happened 23 times in the past two years.
After their mutual parting, Alshon gave Leigh a heartfelt thank you, even describing her as “the best pickleball coach” and wishing her “nothing but success.”
“That being said, thank you for being the best pickleball coach and the first female coach I have ever had. I believe we are both excited for the next chapter, and wish each other nothing but success. Hopefully, I will still see you in the finals!”
Given Alshon’s form lately, and Anna’s meteoric rise in the sport, there is a good chance the former student meets his former teacher quite a few times in the coming months.