MLP Statement on Patriquin and Waters Heated Incident in Orlando
Major League Pickleball (MLP) Orlando had no shortage of drama this weekend—and once incident stood above the rest. MLP has now addressed the matter in an official statement published to X (formerly Twitter).
The Incident in Orlando
During the St. Louis Shock vs. New Jersey 5s match, tensions exploded after a fiery mixed doubles battle between Hayden Patriquin and Anna Leigh Waters.
With a 2-1 lead on the board, the Shock were one win away from sealing it — but lose, and it was Dreambreaker time.After the match, as players tapped paddles at the net, things went from competitive to downright hostile.
And that’s when it happened.
Hayden Patriquin, mid-chirp, called Anna Leigh Waters a "f***ing b**ch" during the post-match paddle tap.
That’s when Anna Leigh crossed the midway line, not to play, but to confront him. She got right up in his face, and from there, it escalated fast.
If you’ve ever seen benches clear during a baseball brawl... yeah, it had that kind of energy.
Both teams rushed in. Leigh Waters (Anna Leigh’s mom and coach) was yelling. Shock ownership tried to step in. Even MLP’s head ref Courtney Johnson got involved.
The chaotic moment instantly became one of the wildest scenes in Major League Pickleball history.
To make matters worse, it turns out the heated exchange was even more intense than the original video showed.
Called her a bitch multiple times
— Zane Navratil (@ZaneNavratil) April 28, 2025
According to pro player & PicklePod co-host Zane Navratil, Hayden "called her a b***h multiple times" during the confrontation.
Major League Pickleball Releases Statement
On Monday afternoon at 1:25pm ET, Major League Pickleball took to X to publish its official statement on the matter.
A lot of people are asking for official league comment. So here we go:
— Major League Pickleball (@MajorLeaguePB) April 28, 2025
1. ALW is obviously NOT a ******* *****. But she, clearly, is a bad ass and wants all the smoke. We respect that.
2. Players, please stay on your side of the court.
3. Players, please keep smack talk…
It's certainly not the response fans were anticipating.
It's not April Fools.
— Andrea Remynse Koop (@AndreaRemynse) April 28, 2025
Absolutely love the official comment. That is worthy of UFC, which always deals fantastically with smack talk. In the end, nothing H or ALW did was a big deal. Love the energy, love the passion, love the smack talk. Gimme some more and when does NJ play STL again? Tell me you’re…
— Jim “the smartest man in pickleball” Kloss (@pickleball_jim) April 28, 2025
Why This Moment Hit Harder
If you know 'Big H', you know he’s one of the more animated players on tour. The antics, the energy, the chirping. It’s part of the package.
But his recent appearance on PicklePod suggested that 'Big H' is merely an on-court persona, reserved for competition. The real Hayden Patriquin is more down-to-earth.
The persona and the person aren't completely separate, though. And now Patriquin is receiving backlash for 'crossing the line.'
What makes it even wilder is the backstory: Hayden and Anna Leigh were actually teammates on the New Jersey 5s during Season 1 of the 2023 Major League Pickleball season. They even played mixed doubles together.
To go from team chemistry to this blow-up in just two years? Is there more to the story?
Waters in the Crosshairs
Unfortunately for Anna Leigh, this isn’t her first time catching heat (literally) on the MLP stage.
Back at MLP Dallas in November 2023, world #1 Federico Staksrud, while playing for the Miami Pickleball Club, screamed "Take that, b**ch!" after winning a crucial mixed doubles point against her (then playing for the Utah Black Diamonds).
Federico’s shout was caught on a courtside mic, setting off a massive controversy as Anna Leigh was only 16 years old at the time. He later issued a public apology, chalking it up to heat-of-the-moment emotions.
Different event, different player, but a familiar profane theme: Anna Leigh Waters once again at the center of it all.
Your Turn: Who Crossed the Line?
We want to hear what you think.
Did Anna Leigh cross the line by storming into the St. Louis Shock’s side of the court? Or was Hayden completely out of bounds for his comment?
Drop your thoughts under our Instagram post. (And be honest—you know if someone said that to you, you’d probably react too.)
