APP Tour vs PPA Challenger Series: Grayson Goldin and Anderson Scarpa, two professional pickleball players, are finding real growth in the APP Tour and PPA Challenger Series. These two tours are helping them sharpen their skills, get match experience, and prepare for bigger events. Goldin and Scarpa explained that these paths are important for players who want to improve and compete at the top level of the sport.
Competing at the Highest Level Takes Grit
Grayson Goldin has played on both the APP Tour and the PPA qualifying events. He described the APP Tour as intense and full of skilled players. “If you’re a gamer, you’ll understand this term—I call it sweaty out there,” Grayson Goldin said. “Everyone has no guarantees. They’re in the same boat as you, and they freaking want it.”
The APP Tour (Association of Pickleball Professionals) is known for being hard. Players must qualify just to enter the main draw. Goldin believes the matches are tough because players are desperate to prove themselves. He said even qualifying matches can be harder than those in PPA events.
Sometimes, Goldin has seen weaker teams get into PPA qualifying rounds. “I’ve had some like 11–0, 11–0 wins in PPA qualies,” he said. But he made it clear that the players who make it through are very good. “If you qualify in a PPA, you’re a sick singles player.”
Grayson Goldin recently lost in the APP finals to Will Howells. He shared his thoughts about the way pro pickleball is divided. “I wish there was one tour, one place where we could all just compete. Then we wouldn’t be leaving this up to wondering,” he said. “But I get it. That’s what keeps the podcast talking.”
PPA Challenger Series Gives Players Valuable Experience
Anderson Scarpa, who won three events at the PPA Challenger Series in Maine, said the Challenger Series helped him get ready for bigger tournaments.
“It kind of reminded me of the old Moneyballs we all used to play,” Anderson Scarpa said. “Fairly low-key, but well-run. The staff was helpful, and the level was decent.”
The PPA Challenger Series is designed to help new pros and players without contracts. It works like the ATP Challenger tour in tennis. Players get match experience and a chance to earn a contract with the PPA. Scarpa said the top players in Challenger events are strong, even if the level varies.
“I think A [APP] is a little stronger right now, especially top-heavy-wise,” Anderson Scarpa said. “But I could see the PPA Challengers catching up quickly.”
Anderson Scarpa played in Maine with Angie Walker, who also won three titles at that event. Scarpa said the win helped him prepare for the next tournament in Atlanta. “Honestly, the only reason I played it was to get match reps heading into Atlanta. It’s tough to replicate match nerves and the mental stuff that goes with that.”
Grayson Goldin agrees that the most important thing is to keep playing. “I don’t want to get into any of the politics. I just want to show what I can bring to the space in a positive light.”
How New Players Should Choose a Path
The APP Tour has started its Breakthrough Series, and the PPA is building its Challenger Series. Both are made to help new players enter pro pickleball. But picking a path can be confusing.
“If I were a new player coming in, I would find the PPA Challenger Series pretty enticing,” Anderson Scarpa said. “You get a lot of good matches. With APP, if you have no points, you have to go through a pre-qualifying and qualifying. And there are only like 12 events this year.”
Grayson Goldin said the choice depends on what kind of challenge a player wants. “There’s more opportunity now than ever, but it depends on what you want. If you want to grind and test yourself early, APP gives you that fire. If you want structure and a clear path to a contract, Challenger makes sense.”
Both players agree that showing up ready to play is the key. No matter where someone plays—APP, PPA, or smaller events—gaining match experience is what makes a player better.
“Pickleball is deep across the board,” Grayson Goldin said. “There’s no shortcut. You just have to get sweaty.”
News in Brief: APP Tour vs PPA Challenger Series
Grayson Goldin and Anderson Scarpa shared how the APP Tour and PPA Challenger Series help players improve. Goldin values the grit of the APP, while Scarpa likes the structure of the Challenger Series. Both believe that regular matches are key for growth in the world of pro pickleball.