The APP Tour returns to the City of Brotherly Love this week for its ninth tournament of the season – the 2023 PickleballSuperstore.com APP Philadelphia Open, held August 23-27 at the Upper Main Line YMCA, located in suburban Berwyn.
More than 550 players will participate in the PickleballSuperstore.com APP Philadelphia Open. 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 APP’s exciting return to Philadelphia after it previously hosted a tournament in August 2022.
Among the top pros participating are defending gold medalists Hunter Johnson, Susannah Barr, Megan Fudge, and Andrei Daescu, plus newly-minted champions Dominique Schaefer, CJ Klinger and Andre Mick.
APP Tour mainstays Shelby Bates, Ryler DeHeart, Salome Devidze, Yates Johnson, Rob Nunnery, Parris Todd, and members of the APP Next Gen National Team all return to action in Philadelphia.
Fudge was all smiles in St. Louis, breaking through and earning her first gold medal of the 2023 season – winning in women’s pro doubles alongside Barr. Fudge has 15 total medals in 2023 – 11 silvers, three bronzes, and now one gold.
“That trust in our partnership between Susannah and I, working through just the journey together, and the feeling of coming out on top and getting to raise the trophy on Sunday, it just felt like we owned it.” said Fudge.
“Philly last year was super fun – it was my first time in Philadelphia,” Fudge added. “I’m excited this year to take the whole family with me, as last year was just me. My son JR has actually been studying about the Liberty Bell in school, so we’re excited to do some sightseeing. He was just reading about that today in school, so I told him ‘Hey, we’re going to Philly next week, let’s go check it out!’”
“I’m excited to see the sights and then just being back and competing. I’ve got a new mixed doubles partner next week [Spencer Lanier], so I’m excited to kind of connect with him and to work on a partnership there – I’m excited to keep the ball rolling.”
Fudge’s women’s doubles partner, Susannah Barr, shined brightly in St. Louis – taking home two gold medals. Barr’s 11 total medals are tied for the third-most among APP women’s pros.
Three more first-time gold medalists joined Fudge on top of the podium in St. Louis. Dominique Schaefer won her first-ever APP gold medal, taking down top-seeded Salome Devidze in women’s pro singles. Schaefer earned her first medal of the season, bronze in women’s pro singles, in Newport Beach – and will look to defend her title in Philly.
In men’s pro doubles, the upstart duo of CJ Klinger and Andre Mick earned their first gold medals of the season – and will look to add to their accolades as they return to action in Philly.
Hunter Johnson earned his second consecutive men’s singles gold at the APP Sunmed St. Louis Open, and also earned silver in mixed pro doubles alongside Parris Todd. Both Johnson and Todd have 17 total medals in 2023, tied for the most among all APP pros – the duo has their sights on reclaiming gold in Philadelphia.
Daescu earned gold in mixed pro doubles and silver in men’s pro doubles at the APP Sunmed St. Louis Open. Daescu’s 11 gold medals lead all APP men’s pros, and his 15 total medals are the second-most among APP men’s pros.
After missing the APP Sunmed St. Louis Open, Simone Jardim is set to return to action in Philadelphia – pairing up with Todd in women’s pro doubles and Yates Johnson in mixed pro doubles.
Broadcast Info
Saturday, 8/26 | 12 pm ET – 6 pm ET | ESPN+
Sunday, 8/27 | 10 am ET – 5 pm ET | ESPN+
Monday, 8/28 | 9 pm ET – 10 pm ET | 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 ET each day.
Venue:
Upper Main Line YMCA
416 Berwyn-Paoli Road
Berwyn, Pennsylvania 19312
Schedule of Events
For the current draw and results, please click here.
