Ryler DeHeart Wins APP Cayman Islands Tournament: The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) held a professional tournament in George Town, Cayman Islands, over the weekend, testing the feasibility of a future tour stop at the new Pickleball Cayman facility. With 24 courts and a strong turnout, the event attracted top players looking for competition and a tropical getaway.
Competitive Matches at New Venue
The tournament featured over 240 participants, a sizable field for a resort destination. With no APP ranking points at stake, the competition focused on prize money and experience at the new venue. Many pros took advantage of the event after a scheduling change in the pickleball world allowed for their participation.
Men’s Open Singles Highlights
Former UCLA standout and current South Carolina player Maximilian Wild pulled off an upset over top-seeded Foster in the quarterfinals, advancing to the championship match. However, the No. 2 seed, veteran Ryler DeHeart, proved too strong in the final, securing a hard-fought 15-12 and 15-11 victory to claim gold.
- Gold: Ryler DeHeart
- Silver: Maximilian Wild
- Bronze: Richard Livornese Jr.
Growing the Sport in the Caribbean
The success of this test event highlights the potential for more professional pickleball tournaments in the Cayman Islands. With a state-of-the-art facility and strong player turnout, the APP could consider adding the location to its official tour schedule in the future.
News in Brief: Ryler DeHeart Wins APP Cayman Islands Tournament
The APP hosted a test event in George Town, Cayman Islands, at the new Pickleball Cayman facility. With over 240 players, the tournament saw Ryler DeHeart win men’s singles. The success of the event could lead to an official APP tour stop in the Caribbean.
ALSO READ: APP Tour Heads to the Caribbean for 2025 APP Cayman Islands Open