APP Fort Lauderdale Open Tournament Preview: A Comprehensive Guide
The pickleball world is buzzing with excitement as the APP Tour’s first Major of the year, the Fort Lauderdale Open, is set to take place at the iconic venue known as ‘The Fort’. This prestigious event promises higher stakes, with increased APP Tour Points and prize money up for grabs. As we gear up for this thrilling tournament, let’s dive into a detailed preview of what promises to be an action-packed weekend of world-class pickleball.
A Return to ‘The Fort’: Setting the Stage
The APP Tour is making a triumphant return to Fort Lauderdale, the site of the season’s opening event earlier this year. However, the previous tournament faced significant challenges due to inclement weather, with wind and rain forcing the gender doubles events indoors. This time around, players and fans alike are hoping for more favorable conditions to showcase the sport at its finest.
For those unfamiliar with ‘The Fort’, it’s more than just a venue – it’s the heartbeat of the APP Tour. Serving as the Tour’s headquarters, this location holds a special place in the pickleball community. Its state-of-the-art facilities and electric atmosphere make it the perfect stage for a Major tournament.
To get a sense of the excitement and drama that unfolded during the previous Fort Lauderdale Open, you can check out the comprehensive recap of the event, which saw impressive performances from players like Howells, Fudge, and Braverman, all of whom secured double gold medals.
Weather Outlook: Ideal Conditions on the Horizon
One of the most crucial factors in any outdoor sporting event is the weather, and the forecast for this year’s Fort Lauderdale Open looks promising. According to meteorological predictions, players and spectators can expect near-perfect conditions for pickleball:
- Temperatures are expected to be comfortably warm, ideal for peak athletic performance.
- Clear skies are forecasted for most of the tournament, ensuring uninterrupted play.
- While there might be occasional breezy conditions, severe winds are not anticipated.
- The chance of precipitation is minimal, a welcome change from the weather challenges faced earlier in the year.
These favorable conditions should allow for high-quality play across all events, giving athletes the opportunity to showcase their skills without environmental hindrances.
How to Watch: Comprehensive Coverage Across Multiple Platforms
The APP Tour has ensured that pickleball enthusiasts won’t miss a moment of the action. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how you can catch all the excitement:
Championship Court Coverage
- Thursday, April 3: 10 am – 4 pm ET | ESPN+
- Friday, April 4: 12-6 pm ET | ESPN+
- Saturday, April 5: 12-6 pm ET | ESPN+
- Sunday, April 6: 12-6 pm ET | ESPN+
Players Court Coverage
- Thursday, April 3: 8 am – 2 pm ET | APPTV on YouTube
- Friday, April 4: 10 am – 4 pm ET | APPTV on YouTube
- Saturday, April 5: 10 am – 4 pm ET | APPTV on YouTube
- Sunday, April 6: 10 am – 4 pm ET | APPTV on YouTube
Television Broadcast
For those who prefer traditional TV viewing or want to relive the highlights:
- Monday, April 7: 8-10 pm ET | ESPN2 (Tape Delayed)
This comprehensive coverage ensures that fans can follow their favorite players and matches across various platforms, catering to different viewing preferences and time zones.
Women’s Singles: Battle of the Titans
Top Seeds
- Megan Fudge
- Yana Newell
- Amanda Hendry
- Bobbi Oshiro
- Judit Castillo
- Simone Jardim
- Shelby Bates
- Sofia Sewing
Key Storylines
Megan Fudge’s Fitness Concerns: The top-seeded Megan Fudge enters the tournament under a cloud of uncertainty. Her absence from the singles event in the recent APP Sacramento tournament has raised questions about her fitness. Fans and competitors alike will be keenly watching to see if she’s back to full strength and ready to assert her dominance.
Sofia Sewing’s Hot Streak: Currently riding a wave of success, Sofia Sewing comes into Fort Lauderdale with back-to-back tournament victories in Daytona Beach and Sacramento. The pickleball community is abuzz with speculation: Can she make it a hat-trick of wins? Sewing’s recent form makes her a formidable contender, despite being seeded eighth.
Dark Horses to Watch: While the top seeds naturally draw much of the attention, several players outside the top 8 have the potential to cause upsets. Keep an eye on Daria Walczak, Alexa Schull, and Emily Cederquist. These talented athletes have been showing promising form and could very well make deep runs in the tournament, potentially shaking up the established order.
Prediction
In what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the women’s singles event, we anticipate Sofia Sewing to continue her remarkable run of form. Our prediction sees Sewing clinching her third consecutive APP Tour victory, overcoming a strong challenge from Bobbi Oshiro in the final. This potential matchup would not only showcase the current hot hand in Sewing but also highlight Oshiro’s consistent excellence, setting the stage for an epic encounter.
Men’s Singles: The Clash of Titans
Top Seeds
- Chris Haworth
- Grayson Goldin
- Jack Foster
- Will Howells
- Ryler DeHeart
- Alex Crum
- John Cangelosi
- Brandon Lane
Key Storylines
Chris Haworth’s Unbeatable Streak: The men’s singles division is currently dominated by the seemingly invincible Chris Haworth. With an undefeated record spanning over a year on the APP Tour, Haworth enters the Fort Lauderdale Open as the clear favorite. His performances have been nothing short of spectacular, often leaving spectators and opponents alike in awe of his skills. The big question on everyone’s mind is: Can anyone end Haworth’s incredible run?
Mariano Yeh’s Underdog Story: While much attention is focused on the top seeds, 14th-seeded Mariano Yeh is a player to watch closely. Coming off an impressive silver medal performance in Sacramento, Yeh has proven he has the ability to compete with the best. His recent success has injected an element of unpredictability into the tournament, and many are eager to see if he can replicate or even surpass his Sacramento showing.
Grayson Goldin’s Quest for Gold: As the second seed, Grayson Goldin enters the tournament with high expectations. Despite his high ranking, Goldin is yet to secure a gold medal this year. Known for his formidable play and competitive spirit, Goldin will be hungry to break through and claim the top spot. His matches will be closely watched to see if this tournament could be his breakthrough moment.
Prediction
In what is expected to be a display of top-tier pickleball, our prediction sees Chris Haworth maintaining his extraordinary run of form. We anticipate Haworth facing off against Grayson Goldin in a high-stakes final, with Haworth ultimately emerging victorious to claim his ninth consecutive gold medal in singles. This potential matchup would not only showcase the current dominance of Haworth but also highlight Goldin’s persistent challenge to the top spot, promising spectators a match of the highest caliber.
Mixed Doubles: Powerhouse Partnerships
Top Seeds
- Bobbi Oshiro/Will Howells
- Megan Fudge/Jack Munro
- Susannah Barr/Brandon Lane
- Jill Braverman/Aiden Schenk
- Amanda Hendry/Chris Haworth
- Daria Walczak/Patrick Kawka
- Riley Bohnert/Richard Livornese, Jr.
- Kelsey Grambeau/Brendon Long
Key Storylines
Oshiro and Howells: The Dominant Duo: The top-seeded pair of Bobbi Oshiro and Will Howells enter the tournament as the team to beat. Both players are ranked #1 in mixed doubles for their respective genders, making them a formidable force on the court. Their chemistry and complementary playing styles have made them nearly unstoppable, and all eyes will be on them to see if they can maintain their dominant form.
Fudge and Munro: The Giant Slayers: While Oshiro and Howells may be the favorites, the second-seeded team of Megan Fudge and Jack Munro cannot be overlooked. They hold the distinction of being the only team to defeat Will Howells this year, having bested Howells and his previous partner, Jill Braverman, at the Daytona Open. This victory not only showcases their capability but also adds an intriguing layer of competition to the mixed doubles event.
New Partnerships to Watch: The tournament will also see some interesting new pairings. Erik Lange, who usually teams up with Yana Newell, will be playing alongside Pei Chuan Kao in Fort Lauderdale. Meanwhile, Yana Newell will be partnering with her husband, Ben. These new combinations add an element of unpredictability to the event and could potentially shake up the established order.
Prediction
In what promises to be a closely contested mixed doubles event, we anticipate a thrilling final showdown between the top two seeds. Our prediction sees Howells and Oshiro narrowly edging out Fudge and Munro in a match that could go down to the wire. The contrasting styles of these pairs, combined with their history of close encounters, sets the stage for a potentially classic final that pickleball fans won’t want to miss.
Women’s Doubles: Rivalries and Redemption
Top Seeds
- Jill Braverman/Megan Fudge
- Emily Cederquist/Yana Newell
- Susannah Barr/Bobbi Oshiro
- Allison Harris/Daria Walczak
- Amanda Hendry/Simone Jardim
- Riley Bohnert/Kelsey Grambeau
- Arielle Butler/Christine Maddox
- Nicole Eugenio/Domenika Turkovic
Key Storylines
Revenge on the Mind: The top-seeded duo of Jill Braverman and Megan Fudge enter the tournament with a score to settle. Their nail-biting loss to Susannah Barr and Bobbi Oshiro in Sacramento is still fresh in their minds. This rematch potential adds an extra layer of drama to the women’s doubles event, with Braverman and Fudge hungry for redemption.
Harris and Walczak’s Silver Lining: The fourth-seeded team of Allison Harris and Daria Walczak are looking to build on their impressive silver medal performance at last year’s Women’s Open. Their previous success at The Fort gives them a psychological edge, and many are wondering if they can replicate or even surpass their previous achievement.
Dark Horse Alert: While the top seeds naturally draw much of the attention, the 16th-seeded pair of Judit Castillo and Emilia Schmidt are generating buzz as potential giant-killers. Their recent performances have shown promise, and they have the potential to cause significant upsets in the draw.
Prediction
In what could be a repeat of the APP Sacramento Open final, we anticipate another thrilling encounter between Oshiro/Barr and Braverman/Fudge. Our prediction leans towards Oshiro and Barr maintaining their winning formula and securing another victory over the top seeds. However, given the high stakes of a Major tournament and the determination of Braverman and Fudge to avenge their previous loss, this match could easily go either way, promising spectators a display of women’s doubles pickleball at its finest.
Men’s Doubles: Dominance and Challengers
Top Seeds
- Jack Munro/Will Howells
- Erik Lange/Purple Jesus
- Ryler DeHeart/Richard Livornese, Jr.
- Mario Barrientos/Patrick Kawka
- Andre Mick/Ben Newell
- Etienne Blaszkewycz/Tanner Tomassi
- Mark Dancuart/Spencer Lanier
- Jason Bock/Clayton Powell
Key Storylines
Howells and Munro’s Unbeaten Streak: The top-seeded pair of Will Howells and Jack Munro enter the tournament riding an impressive wave of success. Undefeated in 2025, they’ve established themselves as the team to beat in men’s doubles. Their chemistry on the court and complementary playing styles have made them a formidable force, leaving many to wonder if any team in the field can challenge their dominance.
Lange and Purple Jesus: The Challengers: If any team has a shot at dethroning the champions, it’s likely to be the second-seeded duo of Erik Lange and Purple Jesus. While they haven’t managed to overcome Howells and Munro yet,
