Howells, Fudge, and Braverman Dominate at APP Fort Lauderdale Open
The inaugural Humana APP Fort Lauderdale Open marked a thrilling start to the 2025 pickleball season, showcasing top-tier talent and the promise of the APP’s new headquarters. Despite some early weather setbacks, Championship Sunday delivered an electrifying display of skill and determination, culminating in impressive double gold medal performances from Will Howells, Megan Fudge, and Jill Braverman.
Top Performers Shine Bright
Will Howells emerged as a standout performer, securing gold in both men’s doubles and mixed doubles. Partnering with Jack Munro in men’s doubles, Howells fought through a challenging final against Erik Lange and Purple Jesus, ultimately clinching victory with a score of 11-8, 6-11, 11-3. Their path to the final was equally impressive, dominating opponents from the Round of 32 through the semi-finals with a combined score of 60-31.
In mixed doubles, Howells teamed up with Jill Braverman to defeat Jack Munro and Megan Fudge in a closely contested final, 11-6, 11-9. The duo’s chemistry was evident throughout the tournament, as they didn’t drop a single game en route to their gold medal.
Megan Fudge’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, earning her two gold medals. Partnering with Jill Braverman in women’s doubles, they overcame Allison Harris and Yana Newell in the finals with a score of 11-7, 11-8. This victory marked their first win on the APP Tour in 2025, setting a high bar for the season ahead.
Fudge’s prowess extended to singles play, where she faced off against the rising star Sofia Sewing in a gripping final. Demonstrating her experience and skill, Fudge secured the title with a 16-14, 15-11 victory, capping off an extraordinary tournament run.
Jill Braverman’s double gold medal performance in women’s doubles and mixed doubles solidified her status as a formidable force in the pickleball world. Her partnership with both Howells and Fudge proved to be a winning combination, showcasing her versatility and adaptability on the court.
The Fort: A Promising New Venue with Growing Pains
The Fort, serving as the new APP Tour headquarters, showed immense potential despite some initial challenges. Set to feature 43 dedicated courts and the world’s first pickleball-specific stadium, the facility garnered excitement from players and spectators alike. However, the venue faced a significant hurdle on Saturday when surface issues rendered some courts unplayable, a common occurrence with newly constructed courts.
This setback led to a substantial delay in the tournament schedule, prompting organizers to implement creative solutions. Matches were temporarily relocated to the nearby Diadem pickleball facility, and pro gender doubles matches were condensed to a single game to 15 points. Despite these challenges, the quick adaptations allowed the tournament to proceed, albeit with a more intense format that demanded unwavering focus from the players.
Championship Sunday saw a return to The Fort, where the facility truly showcased its potential. Megan Fudge praised the venue, expressing excitement about its opening and describing it as “incredible.” As construction continues and the stadium nears completion, The Fort is poised to become a landmark destination for pickleball enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Chris Haworth’s Singles Dominance Continues
Chris Haworth reaffirmed his status as the premier singles player on the APP Tour, picking up right where he left off in 2024. Having won seven tournaments last year, Haworth started 2025 with another commanding performance. His path to the finals was particularly impressive, not dropping a single game and overwhelming his first four opponents with a combined score of 121-72.
The final against Grayson Goldin proved to be a true test of Haworth’s skills, especially given the challenging wind conditions. In a back-and-forth battle, Haworth prevailed with a score of 15-10, 8-15, 15-9, demonstrating his ability to adapt and overcome both tough opponents and environmental factors.
Haworth’s continued dominance in singles play sets the stage for an exciting season ahead, with fans and competitors alike eager to see if he can maintain this incredible momentum at the upcoming Daytona Beach Open.
Qualifiers Make Their Mark
The Fort Lauderdale Open was not just about established stars; it also provided a platform for up-and-coming talents to shine. Several qualifiers made deep runs in the tournament, with Sofia Sewing’s performance in women’s singles being particularly noteworthy.
Sewing’s journey began in the qualifiers, where she dominated her opponents with a combined score of 63-30. Her impressive run continued in the main draw, defeating seasoned players like Helen To, Amanda Hendry, Katerina Stewart, and Daria Walczak to reach Championship Sunday. Although she ultimately fell to Megan Fudge in the final, Sewing’s silver medal finish marked her as a rising star to watch in the pickleball world.
In the men’s singles category, Ammar Wazir made a significant impact. After advancing through qualifiers, Wazir showcased his skills by defeating James Seagraves, Matt Barlow, and Ryler DeHeart on his way to the semi-finals. While he lost to the eventual champion Chris Haworth in the semis, Wazir rebounded strongly to claim the bronze medal with a convincing 15-6, 15-5 victory over Jack Foster. This performance not only earned Wazir his first APP Tour medal but also signaled his potential as a future contender in the sport.
Kelsey Grambeau’s Breakout Performance
Kelsey Grambeau emerged as one of the tournament’s standout performers, securing two bronze medals in highly competitive fields. In mixed doubles, partnering with Robert Slutsky, Grambeau showcased her versatility and mental toughness. The pair navigated a challenging bracket, including impressive victories over established teams like Allison Harris/Patrick Kawka and Andre Mick/Jamie Haas. Their bronze medal match against Riley Bohnert and Richard Livornese was a testament to their resilience, as they bounced back from losing the first game to win 7-11, 11-4, 11-8.
In women’s doubles, Grambeau teamed up with Daria Walczak to make a significant impact in the shortened format. They dominated their early matches with a combined score of 45-25, including a crucial win over the formidable duo of Ewa Radzikowska and Judit Castillo. Although they fell to the eventual champions Fudge and Braverman in the semi-finals, Grambeau and Walczak showed great character in the bronze medal match. Facing Christa Gecheva and Sofia Sewing, they recovered from a first-game loss to win decisively, 2-11, 11-5, 11-5.
Grambeau’s dual bronze medal performance not only highlights her skill and adaptability but also positions her as a player to watch in future APP Tour events. Her success across both mixed and women’s doubles demonstrates a well-rounded game that could lead to even greater achievements in the coming season.
Looking Ahead: Implications for the 2025 Season
The Humana APP Fort Lauderdale Open has set an exciting tone for the 2025 pickleball season. The dominant performances by established stars like Will Howells, Megan Fudge, and Jill Braverman reinforce their status as top contenders across multiple events. Their ability to excel in both doubles and singles formats suggests we may see more players focusing on versatility in their training and competition strategies.
Chris Haworth’s continued singles dominance raises the bar for his competitors and begs the question: who, if anyone, can challenge his reign in the coming tournaments? His performance will undoubtedly motivate other players to elevate their singles game, potentially leading to more intense and competitive matches throughout the season.
The emergence of qualifiers and lesser-known players making deep runs in the tournament, particularly Sofia Sewing and Ammar Wazir, injects fresh excitement into the pro circuit. Their success stories may inspire more up-and-coming players to push their limits and challenge the established hierarchy, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape of professional pickleball.
The debut of The Fort as the APP Tour’s new headquarters, despite its initial challenges, promises to elevate the profile of professional pickleball. As construction continues and the facility is fully realized, it could become a premier destination for both players and fans, potentially attracting more media attention and sponsorship opportunities to the sport.
Lastly, the adaptability shown by players, organizers, and fans in the face of weather and venue challenges demonstrates the resilience of the pickleball community. This flexibility and problem-solving approach may become increasingly valuable as the sport continues to grow and evolve, facing new logistical and competitive challenges along the way.
As the 2025 season unfolds, the pickleball world will be watching closely to see how these early trends develop and what new storylines emerge. With the bar set high from the very first tournament, fans can anticipate an thrilling year of competition, innovation, and growth in the dynamic world of professional pickleball.
