New Winners Shine at the APP Newport Beach Open: A Tournament Recap
The APP Tour’s seventh stop of 2025 over the Independence Day weekend brought fireworks to the pickleball world, with new champions crowned in multiple events. The beautiful Tennis & Pickleball Club at Newport Beach played host to this exciting tournament from July 2-6, showcasing some of the sport’s top talent and emerging stars.
Top Storylines: Upsets and New Champions
Unprecedented Upsets: Only One #1 Seed Makes the Finals
This APP Tour event may go down in history as one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. In a stunning turn of events, only one #1 seed managed to reach the finals across all categories. This rare occurrence highlights the growing depth of talent in professional pickleball and the increasingly competitive nature of the sport.
Megan Fudge and Jill Braverman, the top seeds in women’s doubles, were the sole #1 seeds to clinch gold. However, the tournament saw a series of remarkable upsets in other events:
- Women’s Singles: #1 Sofia Sewing fell to #4 Bobbi Oshiro in the semifinals
- Men’s Singles: #1 Chris Haworth was defeated by #4 Armaan Bhatia in the semifinals
- Mixed Doubles: #1 Bobbi Oshiro/Will Howells lost to #5 Christine Maddox/Purple Jesus
- Men’s Doubles: #1 Jack Munro/Will Howells were upset by #4 Patrick Kawka/Kyle Koszuta
These unexpected results demonstrate the evolving landscape of professional pickleball, where rising stars are increasingly challenging established champions.
Tanner Tomassi and Richard Livornese, Jr. Claim Their First Gold Together
The men’s doubles tournament took an unexpected turn when Kawka and Koszuta upset the top-seeded duo of Munro and Howells in the semifinals. This paved the way for Tanner Tomassi and Richard Livornese, Jr. to seize their opportunity and clinch their first gold medal together on the APP Tour.
The Florida-based pair showcased their skill and determination, first overcoming Erik Lange and Purple Jesus in a hard-fought semifinal match (6-11, 11-7, 11-5). They then went on to secure a thrilling victory in the finals with a score of 11-6, 6-11, 11-8, marking a significant milestone in their professional careers.
Katerina Stewart’s Breakthrough: First APP Tour Gold
Former professional tennis player Katerina Stewart from Miami made her mark in Newport Beach, securing her first gold medal on the APP Tour. Building on her recent bronze medal performance in New York City, Stewart demonstrated her rapid progression in pickleball.
Her path to victory included impressive wins over Amanda Hendry and Yana Newell before culminating in a gold medal match triumph against Bobbi Oshiro. Stewart’s success underscores the growing trend of former tennis professionals making successful transitions to pickleball and quickly rising through the ranks.
Max Manthou and Christine Maddox: Chaotic Duo Strikes Gold Again
The dynamic pairing of Max Manthou and Christine Maddox proved once again why they’re a force to be reckoned with in mixed doubles. Known for their unorthodox and unpredictable style of play, the duo claimed their second gold medal on the APP Tour, replicating their success from the previous Newport Beach event.
Their journey to the top of the podium was far from easy. In a stunning semifinal upset, they overcame the #1 seeded team of Oshiro/Howells with a score of 3-11, 11-8, 11-5. The championship match saw them facing first-time finalists Sofia Sewing and Casey Diamond, whom they defeated 11-9, 11-6.
Manthou’s exceptional athleticism and lightning-fast hands combined perfectly with Maddox’s defensive prowess and powerful overhead shots. Their victory cements their status as a mixed doubles team to watch in future tournaments.
Armaan Bhatia’s Dominant Run Continues
Armaan Bhatia’s star continues to rise in the pickleball world as he secured his second consecutive gold medal on the APP Tour. Following his victory in New York City over Alex Crum, Bhatia maintained his winning streak by defeating Patrick Kawka in the Newport Beach final.
What makes Bhatia’s performance even more impressive is that he has now bested Chris Haworth, the #1 ranked APP Tour player, in two consecutive tournaments. Bhatia’s powerful serve and devastating forehand drive have become his trademark weapons, helping him dominate the competition.
Throughout the tournament, Bhatia’s dominance was on full display as he didn’t drop a single game in his four matches. This level of consistency and excellence signals that Bhatia is quickly becoming one of the premier players on the APP Tour.
Fudge and Braverman Maintain Their Dominance
In women’s doubles, the formidable pairing of Megan Fudge and Jill Braverman continued their impressive run, securing their fifth gold medal of the year on the APP Tour. Their consistent performance throughout the weekend solidified their position as the team to beat in women’s doubles.
While Fudge and Braverman’s victory was expected given their top seeding, the tournament also shone a spotlight on some emerging talent. Australian qualifiers Danni-Elle Townsend and Emilia Schmidt made a surprising run to the finals, showcasing the growing international appeal and talent pool in pickleball.
Schmidt, ranked third in the APP Next Gen women’s rankings, partnered with Townsend, widely regarded as one of Australia’s top women’s doubles players. Their unexpected success from the qualifier rounds to the championship match hints at the bright future of international pickleball competition.
Final Results
Women’s Singles
- 🥇 Katerina Stewart
- 🥈 Bobbi Oshiro
- 🥉 Yana Newell
Men’s Singles
- 🥇 Armaan Bhatia
- 🥈 Patrick Kawka
- 🥉 Chris Haworth
Mixed Doubles
- 🥇 Christine Maddox/Max Manthou
- 🥈 Sofia Sewing/Casey Diamond
- 🥉 Megan Fudge/Jack Munro
Women’s Doubles
- 🥇 Megan Fudge/Jill Braverman
- 🥈 Emilia Schmidt/Danni-Elle Townsend
- 🥉 Sofia Sewing/Bobbi Oshiro
Men’s Doubles
- 🥇 Tanner Tomassi/Richard Livornese, Jr.
- 🥈 Kyle Koszuta/Patrick Kawka
- 🥉 Jack Munro/Will Howells
Reflections on the Tournament
The APP Newport Beach Open served as a testament to the rapidly evolving landscape of professional pickleball. The tournament’s unexpected twists and turns, coupled with the emergence of new champions, highlight the sport’s growing depth of talent and increasing competitiveness.
For newcomers to pickleball, this tournament exemplifies the sport’s unpredictable and exciting nature. Pickleball, a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, has seen exponential growth in recent years. Events like the APP Newport Beach Open showcase the sport’s highest level of play, where strategy, skill, and athleticism converge.
The upsets witnessed throughout the tournament demonstrate that in pickleball, rankings and seedings don’t always dictate outcomes. The sport’s fast-paced nature and the importance of mental toughness mean that on any given day, underdogs can triumph over favorites.
Moreover, the success of international players like the Australian duo in women’s doubles points to pickleball’s global appeal and the potential for future growth on the world stage. As the sport continues to attract athletes from diverse backgrounds, including former tennis professionals like Katerina Stewart, the level of competition is set to rise even further.
For fans and aspiring players alike, the APP Newport Beach Open offered a glimpse into the future of pickleball – a future marked by intense competition, emerging stars, and the constant possibility of thrilling upsets. As the sport continues to evolve, events like this will play a crucial role in shaping its trajectory and capturing the imagination of a growing global audience.
In conclusion, the APP Newport Beach Open not only crowned new champions but also reinforced pickleball’s status as one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. With each tournament, the sport reaches new heights of skill and excitement, promising a bright future for players and fans alike.
