Anna Leigh Waters, the world’s top-ranked pickleball player, has won many titles on the pickleball court, but now she is doing something far more lasting than that. The 18-year-old, in her latest message, turned the spotlight on a subject that is not often talked about: menstruation in sports and the stigma surrounding periods in athletics. “Many girls today think playing on their period is a barrier to success, even causing them to drop out of sports entirely. I am proof that periods shouldn’t stop you from competing, chasing your goals, or showing up as your best self, especially when you have the right protection,” said Waters. “Many girls today think playing on their period is a barrier to success, even causing many of them to drop out of sports entirely. Thankfully, I now have U by Kotex as a partner to further our shared mission of empowering women to stay in the game every day of the month. I am proof that periods shouldn’t stop you from competing, chasing your goals, or showing up as your best self, especially when you have the right protection.” According to a study in the UK, more than 84 per cent of teenage girls ages 11-16 say their interest in sports and physical fitness decreased after starting their period. Furthermore, nearly 25 per cent of respondents say they feel embarrassed to take part in physical activity during their menstrual cycle. Hence, Waters’s message is resonating with athletes and fans alike. “We need more honest conversations,” she says. “When we talk openly about periods, we empower each other to perform at our highest level, no matter the day of the month.”