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APP Chicago: Happening now!

APP Chicago: Happening now!

Storylines to watch + viewing guides

Team KOTC
August 28, 2024

Welcome to the APP

Being half sold-out to Big Pickle, we talk a lot about MLP and PPA events around here. But what about that “other” tour: APP? What’s that all about? Well, we’re here to tell you.

In short, the Association of Pickleball Players is a “Tour” of prize money tournaments for pros and amateurs alike, featuring names you’d probably recognize like Will Howells, Chris Haworth, and Bobbi Oshiro. They host events around the world, like the recent English Open and the Indian Open in partnership with Global Sports. They also host wheelchair and hybrid events, collegiate competition, and run a robust Next Gen development program for youth and young adults.

This weekend, the APP tour stop is in Chicago. Here are some storylines from this event:

APP Chicago is a golden-ticket qualifying event for 2025’s USAP National Championships. APP uses UTR-P rating system and is governed by USA Pickleball.
After playing (and winning 2 golds) in last week’s Monsoon Pickleball Championship in Mumbai, India, Megan Fudge returns to defend her gold medals from APP Newport Beach. She competes in singles, women’s doubles (with our gal pal Jilly B), and mixed doubles with Jack Munro.
Speaking of Jack Munro, who came up through APP’s Next Gen program, he’s the top seed in men’s doubles alongside Rob Nunnery. Rob is also returning from the Monsoon Pickleball event, where he won silver in men’s doubles (losing to Quang Duong and Jay Devilliers)
Many MLP stars will be competing: NJ 5’s Will Howells partners with NY Hustlers’ CJ Klinger in men’s doubles, and with SoCal Hard Eights’ Yana Newell in mixed. Will has 3 APP gold medals, and leads all men's APP Tour pros with 10 total medals in 2024.
Often referred to as the original PPA GOAT, Simone Jardim competes this weekend in women’s singles, doubles with Allison Harris, and Jack Foster in mixed doubles.
SoCal Hard Eights teammates Erik Lange and Max “Purple Jesus” Manthou are reuniting after together winning their first career gold medals at APP Newport Beach, and then at the English Open. They come in as the #6 seed in men’s doubles.
We can’t forget about Chris Haworth, who took home his first PPA gold in San Clemente’s OC Cup, and who has won gold in men’s singles in 4 of the last 6 APP events.