APP Tour Stops to Watch in 2024: Can Anyone Dethrone the Top Pros?
The 2024 APP (Association of Pickleball Professionals) Tour is set to be one of the most exciting seasons yet, with top professionals, rising stars, and new venues offering fans thrilling action across the United States. As the sport continues to grow, the APP Tour provides a platform for players to showcase their talent and vie for supremacy in both singles and doubles formats.
With a jam-packed schedule of stops across the country, the 2024 season is shaping up to be a battleground where emerging talent will look to unseat established champions. In this article, we’ll explore the key tour stops, highlight the top contenders to watch, and discuss whether anyone can challenge the dominance of the sport’s elite players.
1. APP Mesa Open: The Season Opener
The APP Mesa Open, taking place in Arizona, kicks off the 2024 season with an exciting mix of seasoned pros and hungry challengers. As the first major event of the year, all eyes will be on returning champions looking to defend their titles and set the tone for the season.
Top Players to Watch: Keep an eye on JW Johnson, who has been a consistent force on the APP Tour and is widely regarded as one of the most talented players in the sport. His precision and aggressive court coverage make him a threat in both singles and doubles play. In the women’s division, Simone Jardim, a legend in pickleball, will be returning to compete after a strong 2023 season. Fans will be watching to see if she can continue her dominance or if a new contender will emerge to challenge her reign.
Rising Stars: Watch out for Dylan Frazier, a young and dynamic player who made waves in the 2023 season. Known for his speed and strategic play, Frazier is one of the rising stars poised to make a name for himself in the upcoming season.
The Mesa Open is the first opportunity to see how players have prepared during the off-season, and it often sets the stage for storylines that will carry throughout the year.
2. APP New York City Open: The Big Apple Showdown
The APP New York City Open is one of the most highly anticipated stops on the 2024 tour, held in the heart of one of the world’s most iconic cities. With its prime location and increased media attention, this tournament is known for drawing large crowds and creating intense, high-pressure matchups.
Key Storylines: The NYC Open is a critical mid-season test for many players, and it’s often where potential champions separate themselves from the pack. Fans will be eager to see if top contenders like Zane Navratil and Dekel Bar can maintain their momentum or if newcomers will break through in the big city.
The Doubles Rivalry: The men’s and women’s doubles events are always a highlight at this stop, with top-ranked teams battling it out for supremacy. In the women’s division, partnerships like Lea Jansen and Vivienne David are expected to clash with veteran teams, leading to some of the most competitive doubles play on the tour.
Rising Stars: Watch for Paris Todd, a young and fast-rising star who has been gaining attention for her quick reflexes andstrategic play. Todd has shown tremendous growth over the past season and is one of the players expected to make a significant impact in both singles and doubles at the APP New York City Open.
The energy of New York City and the high stakes of the tournament often bring out the best in competitors, making this a must-watch event for fans and a proving ground for players seeking to establish themselves among the elite.
3. APP Chicago Open: The Midwest Battle
The APP Chicago Open is another marquee event on the 2024 tour, set in the heart of the Midwest. Chicago has quickly become a hub for pickleball, attracting top talent and massive fan engagement. The city’s growing pickleball scene adds to the event’s prestige, with local players and fans turning out in force to witness the battles on court.
Key Players to Watch: As one of the most versatile players on the APP Tour, JW Johnson will be looking to solidify his dominance in both singles and doubles here. In the women’s division, the Chicago Open will be an important test for Vivienne David, a rising star known for her aggressive net play and adaptability.
The Doubles Showdown: The Chicago Open is particularly known for its exciting doubles matchups, with many top teams bringing their A-game. Dylan Frazier and Andrei Daescu have emerged as a formidable team and are expected to challenge the established pairs. On the women’s side, fans are eager to see if experienced teams like Leigh Waters and Anna Leigh Waters can continue their dominance or if a new team will rise to the occasion.
Midwest Talent: Chicago has produced some incredible regional talent, and this stop offers a platform for local players to face off against national competitors. Keep an eye on emerging talent from the Midwest, as they will be looking to make a name for themselves in front of a home crowd.
The APP Chicago Open provides a critical mid-season test for players, especially as they begin to position themselves for end-of-year rankings and championship contention.
4. APP Atlanta Open: The Southern Showdown
The APP Atlanta Open has become a fan favorite due to its competitive atmosphere and the level of talent it draws. Atlanta’s vibrant pickleball community and enthusiastic crowd make this event one of the liveliest stops on the tour. The southern heat is matched only by the heated competition on the courts.
Key Players: Dekel Bar, known for his powerful serves and aggressive baseline play, will look to dominate the singles bracket. Bar has consistently been a top performer in the APP circuit, and Atlanta offers him a stage to showcase his skills. On the women’s side, Lea Jansen continues to be one of the most consistent and strategic players on tour, and she’ll be aiming for a strong finish here.
Doubles Stars: In doubles, the chemistry between Simone Jardim and Corrine Carr has been impressive. This pair brings both experience and teamwork to the court, and fans will be eager to see if they can claim the title in Atlanta against tough competition like Catherine Parenteau and Callie Smith.
Southern Stars: Players from the Southern U.S. often rise to the occasion at this event, and local favorites will be looking to make a splash in both singles and doubles play.
The APP Atlanta Open marks one of the later stops in the season, meaning players will be jockeying for position in the rankings and looking to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the year.
5. APP Hilton Head Open: The Championship Prelude
As one of the final stops before the APP Tour Finals, the APP Hilton Head Open is seen as a prelude to the ultimate showdown. Players use this tournament to fine-tune their strategies and make last-minute pushes for higher rankings. Set in the picturesque surroundings of Hilton Head, South Carolina, this stop combines beautiful scenery with intense competition.
Championship Contenders: The Hilton Head Open often features many of the players who will compete for the overall championship, making it a critical event for those aiming to dethrone the top pros. JW Johnson and Simone Jardim will likely be looking to solidify their positions as top contenders heading into the finals.
Doubles Focus: This tournament also serves as a preview of potential doubles matchups in the APP Tour Finals. Partnerships like Riley Newman and Dekel Bar in the men’s division, and Anna Leigh Waters and Leigh Watersin the women’s division, will be sharpening their tactics in preparation for the season’s final showdown.
Emerging Talent: With many players making a late-season push for higher rankings, the Hilton Head Open is also a chance for rising stars to establish themselves ahead of the Tour Finals.
Can Anyone Dethrone the Top Pros in 2024?
The 2024 APP Tour season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet. Established pros like JW Johnson, Simone Jardim, and the Waters duo have dominated in recent years, but a new generation of talent is emerging to challenge their reign. Players like Dylan Frazier, Lea Jansen, and Paris Todd have been making headlines and are showing that they have the skill, determination, and strategic prowess to compete with the best.
One of the most exciting aspects of the 2024 season is the depth of talent across all divisions. The increasing professionalism of the sport, combined with the competitive atmosphere fostered by the APP Tour, means that upsets and surprises are always possible. The question remains: Can anyone consistently challenge and dethrone the top players in pickleball? With each tour stop offering new opportunities and high-stakes matchups, fans are in for a thrilling ride.
Final Thoughts: 2024 APP Tour Stops to Watch
With each stop on the 2024 APP Tour offering something unique, this season promises to deliver drama, excitement, and some of the highest-level pickleball ever played. Whether it’s the pressure-filled courts of the New York City Open or the heated competition at the Hilton Head Open, the race for the top spot is sure to captivate pickleball enthusiasts worldwide.
As the sport grows in popularity and the competition intensifies, the 2024 APP Tour is the perfect showcase for the talent, skill, and determination that define professional pickleball. Whether you’re a casual fan or a dedicated follower of the tour, these stops are the ones you won’t want to miss.