The 2025 APP Fort Lauderdale Open, the first Major of the season, begins this week, bringing five days of top-tier pickleball action to The Fort, the global headquarters of the Association of Pickleball Players (APP). Players of all levels will compete from April 3-6, with national broadcasts on ESPN and YouTube.
The tournament features professional and amateur divisions, including the AARP Champions (50+), Masters (60+), and the Humana Cup. As a USA Pickleball Golden Ticket event, gold medalists will qualify for the 2025 USAP National Championships.
Top Players Chasing Records
Megan Fudge, with 67 career APP Tour medals, is two away from becoming the all-time leader. Chris Haworth is one men’s pro singles gold away from setting the all-time APP record in the category.
Sofia Sewing, a Coconut Creek native, has been dominant in women’s singles, securing two golds and a silver so far this year. She enters Fort Lauderdale as the No. 8 seed.
Standout Performers to Watch
Will Howells, one of the top doubles players, won gold in men’s and mixed doubles in Sacramento and in Fort Lauderdale earlier this year. Bobbi Oshiro claimed her first two APP Tour medals in Sacramento, winning mixed and women’s pro doubles.
Jack Munro continues his streak with three straight men’s pro doubles gold medals in 2025. He also excelled at the recent APP U.S. Collegiate Championships. Susannah Barr, APP’s all-time leader in women’s pro doubles medals, secured her first gold of 2025 in Sacramento.
Other Key Competitors
Max “Purple Jesus” Manthou and Erik Lange enter as the No. 2 seeds in men’s pro doubles, having reached Championship Sunday in six of the last seven APP events. Jill Braverman ranks second in total medals among women’s APP pros this year, with three golds.
Daria Walczak has already matched her 2024 medal total, winning four medals in three events this year. She and Patrick Kawka will compete for mixed doubles gold.
How to Watch
Live coverage starts April 3 on ESPN+ and APPTV on YouTube, running through April 6. ESPN2 will air a recap show on April 7 at 8 p.m. ET. The event takes place at The Fort, located at 891 SW 34th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL. Tickets are available via SITickets.com.
News in Brief: APP Fort Lauderdale Open
The 2025 APP Fort Lauderdale Open kicks off April 3-6, featuring elite and amateur pickleball players at The Fort. Stars like Megan Fudge and Chris Haworth chase records, while the event offers Golden Ticket spots for the USAP Nationals. Watch live on ESPN+ and APPTV, with an ESPN2 recap on April 7.
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