The APP Tour returns to its hometown of Chicago this week for its tenth tournament of the season – the 2023 APP Chicago Open, held August 30-September 3 at Danny Cunniff Park in Highland Park, Illinois on the shores of Lake Michigan.
More than 850 players will participate in this year’s APP Chicago Open – making it the largest-ever pickleball tournament held in Illinois. Amateurs of all ages, elite pros and the AARP Champions (50+) Division will participate in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles competition throughout the week. The tournament marks the fifth edition of the APP Chicago Open, and the third year returning to Highland Park.
Among the top pros participating are defending gold medalists Yates Johnson, Parris Todd, Andrei Daescu, Simone Jardim, Salome Devidze, Susannah Barr, and Rob Nunnery.
The APP Tour mainstays, Shelby Bates, Ryler DeHeart, Megan Fudge, Alix Truong, and members of the APP Next Gen National Team, all return to action in Chicago.
Daescu dominated in Philadelphia, earning two golds – one in mixed pro doubles with Barr and another in men’s pro doubles alongside Nunnery. Daescu’s 13 gold medals lead all the APP men’s pros, and his 17 total medals are tied for most among the APP men’s pros in 2023.
Barr’s six gold medals in 2023 are the third-most among the APP women’s pros, while Nunnery’s 10 total medals are tied for the third-most among the APP men’s pros.
“It felt great,” Daescu said after lifting the trophy twice last Sunday. “I know the margins for error are very small and there are a lot of people playing very well these days. I’m just very happy, very thankful, and yeah, just super, super happy to be able to get it done again. I know it’s not easy, so I won’t take it for granted.”
Daescu’s return to Chicago will be a welcome one, as he took home men’s pro doubles gold last year in the same event.
“I won gold last year in men’s doubles, and I’ve always enjoyed playing in Chicago,” added Daescu. “There’s always a really good crowd. The local community is really involved with it, so just looking forward to being in that vibe and competing again. I feel like my partners and I have been playing pretty well, so I’m just excited to get out there to compete. I know I’m going to be in a fun, fun spot with a really good vibe – it’ll be a fun weekend.”
The dynamic duo of Todd and Jardim once again earned women’s pro doubles gold in Philadelphia – their eighth title in nine tournaments this season – and will look to keep the momentum going in Chicago.
Devidze, last year’s women’s pro singles champion in Chicago, earned another gold medal in Philadelphia and has her sights set on making it two in a row.
Yates Johnson took home the men’s pro singles title in Philly – his third of the season and first since the APP Vlasic Classic. Yates’ 10 total medals are tied for the third-most among the APP men’s pros this season. Alongside his brother Hunter, the Johnson twins have combined to win every men’s pro singles gold medal this season except for one.
Fans can stay posted on all the action by following the APP’s social media pages - @OfficialAPPTour on Instagram, X, TikTok, and Threads, and APP Tour on Facebook.
Broadcast Info
Saturday, 9/2 | 12 pm CT – 6 pm ET | ESPN+
Sunday, 9/3 | 10 am CT – 5 pm ET | ESPN+
Tuesday, 9/5 | 8 pm CT – 9 pm CT | ESPN2
Tickets
Spectator tickets for the event are available via SI Tickets for just $15. Walk-up tickets for single-day sessions will also be available for purchase at the venue with doors opening at 8 am CT each day.
Venue Information:
Danny Cunniff Park
2700 Trail Way
Highland Park, Illinois 60035
Schedule of Events
For the current draw and results, please click here.
(All dates and times subject to change)