APP Tour Finals 2024: Breaking Down the Biggest Upsets and Victories

The 2024 APP Tour Finals brought a thrilling conclusion to a landmark year in professional pickleball. As one of the premier tours, the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) showcased elite talent, intense matches, and a few surprises that kept fans on the edge of their seats. With rising stars, shocking upsets, and dominant performances, the tournament gave us plenty to talk about.

In this recap, we’ll take a closer look at the key matches, highlight the biggest victories, and analyze how the results could shape the landscape of pickleball heading into 2025.

The Evolution of the APP Tour

Founded to grow the sport at all levels, the APP Tour has solidified its place as a top-tier platform for professional pickleball players. The 2024 APP Tour Finals marked a significant milestone for the tour, drawing a record number of participants and fans, with matches streamed across multiple platforms to a global audience. The APP’s commitment to elevating the sport and creating opportunities for players of all skill levels—from amateurs to pros—has made it an essential part of pickleball’s rapid expansion.

Men’s Singles: Dylan Frazier Shines

One of the standout stories of the 2024 APP Tour Finals was the meteoric rise of Dylan Frazier, who secured his first major APP title in the men’s singles division. Frazier, known for his athleticism and precision on the court, has been steadily climbing the ranks throughout the year, and his performance in the Finals solidified his status as a major force in the sport.

Frazier faced off against Hunter Johnson in the men’s singles final, a highly anticipated matchup that delivered intense action from the first serve. Johnson, a seasoned player with numerous tournament wins under his belt, was favored by many to take the title. However, Frazier’s ability to dictate the pace of the match and his strategic placement of shots kept Johnson on the defensive for much of the contest.

Frazier took the match in two straight games (11-8, 11-6), using a combination of sharp angles and aggressive net play to outmaneuver his opponent. This win not only marked a major milestone in Frazier’s career but also signaled a potential shift in the balance of power in men’s singles on the APP Tour.

Women’s Singles: Simone Jardim Returns to Form

The women’s singles division saw the return of a familiar face to the top of the podium—Simone Jardim. One of the most decorated players in pickleball history, Jardim had faced tough competition throughout 2023 but came into the APP Tour Finals determined to reclaim her dominance.

In the final, Jardim took on Vivienne David, a rising star who has made a name for herself with consistent performances throughout the tour. David’s defensive skills and tactical prowess had earned her a spot in the championship match, but Jardim’s experience and aggressive playstyle proved too much to handle.

Jardim cruised to victory with a convincing 11-7, 11-5 win, showcasing her trademark combination of precise dinks, powerful groundstrokes, and smart shot selection. With this victory, Jardim reminded the pickleball world that she remains one of the top competitors in the sport, and her return to form could signal another dominant year ahead.

Mixed Doubles: Upset of the Tournament

The mixed doubles division provided one of the most thrilling storylines of the 2024 APP Tour Finals, with Andrei Daescu and Vivienne David pulling off a stunning upset to take home the title.

Daescu and David entered the tournament as underdogs, facing off against the formidable duo of JW Johnson and Jackie Kawamoto, who were the favorites to win after a dominant run through the earlier rounds. Johnson and Kawamoto had been nearly unstoppable all year, with their powerful volleys and coordinated teamwork making them the team to beat.

In the final, however, Daescu and David played some of their best pickleball of the season. Their combination of sharp cross-court shots and smart positioning kept Johnson and Kawamoto off balance, and after a hard-fought battle, Daescu and David emerged victorious with a 11-9, 6-11, 11-8 win. This result shocked fans and commentators alike, marking one of the most exciting matches of the tournament.

Men’s Doubles: Johnson Brothers Reign Supreme

The men’s doubles final featured the Johnson brothers, JW and Dylan, who have quickly become one of the most formidable pairs in professional pickleball. Their chemistry, honed from years of playing together, was on full display throughout the tournament, and they entered the finals as clear favorites.

Their opponents, Andrei Daescu and Kyle Yates, presented a tough challenge, but the Johnson brothers’ ability to control the tempo and their precise shot placement ultimately proved too much. The match was tightly contested, with Daescu and Yates taking the first game 11-7. However, JW and Dylan rallied to win the next two games 11-6, 11-5, securing the men’s doubles title and further cementing their status as a top-tier doubles team on the APP Tour.

Women’s Doubles: Kawamoto and Tereschenko Triumph

In the women’s doubles division, Jackie Kawamoto and Irina Tereschenko emerged as the champions after an impressive run through the tournament. Kawamoto and Tereschenko’s powerful serves and aggressive net play set them apart from their competition, and they brought their A-game to the final.

Facing off against Vivienne David and Andrea Koop, Kawamoto and Tereschenko put on a clinic in teamwork and strategy. After splitting the first two games (11-8, 7-11), the final game came down to the wire. In the end, Kawamoto and Tereschenko held their nerve to win 11-9 and claim the women’s doubles title.

Final Thoughts: The Future of the APP Tour

The 2024 APP Tour Finals were a celebration of everything that makes pickleball exciting—fast-paced action, incredible skill, and the ever-present possibility of an upset. With new champions crowned and familiar faces returning to the podium, the Finals gave fans a glimpse of what’s to come in the future of professional pickleball.

As the APP Tour continues to grow, we can expect even more thrilling competition and the rise of new stars. For now, players like Dylan Frazier, Simone Jardim, and the Johnson brothers have solidified their places at the top, but the sport is always evolving, and next year’s tour is sure to bring new surprises.