Vlasic Classic Pickleball Tournament: Some of the best pickleball players in the world are in Cincinnati this weekend. From Thursday through Sunday, Sawyer Point Park is hosting the third annual Vlasic Classic by the Association of Pickleball Players. Among the players are two local pros—Allie Reichert and Kevin Dong—who are chasing titles in front of their hometown fans.
The pickleball event has transformed the riverfront into a battleground for top-level pickleball. While Sawyer Point is usually filled with amateur players, this weekend it’s all about the pros.
From Basketball to Pickleball
Allie Reichert, who lives in Cincinnati, is one of the hometown athletes in the tournament. She played basketball growing up and even competed at the college level for Aurora University. But in 2020, she started playing pickleball and quickly fell in love with the sport.
“I had to grind a lot. It took my three or four years to get decent at this game.” – (Reichert)
Reichert is now a full-time pickleball player after leaving her job last year. She plays daily and also teaches the sport to kids.
“Once I got good enough, I started playing tournaments. I was like, ‘oh yeah, this is good.’” – (Reichert)
She is thrilled to compete in Cincinnati this weekend.
“Oh yeah, it’s going to be rowdy. I know I’m going to bring a lot of people.” – (Reichert)
From Finance to the Court
Kevin Dong is another Cincinnati player in the Vlasic Classic. He became a pro about a year ago after playing Division III college tennis. By day, he works in finance, but at night, he trains on the pickleball court.
“Try and catch up to all of these guys. Make sure I’m sharp and ready to go.” – (Dong)
Dong also runs a pickleball YouTube channel with more than 50,000 followers. He enjoys sharing videos and connecting with fans.
“It’s almost therapeutic. Just take 15–20 minutes a day to create some content, put it out there for people to enjoy.” – (Dong)
He’s proud of how fast the sport has grown in the city.
“It’s amazing because I feel like the Cincinnati pickleball community has just constantly exploded ever since I moved here.” – (Dong)
More Than Just a Tournament
The Vlasic Classic is more than just a game. It highlights how pickleball has become one of the most popular sports in the country. With top players and local talent like Allie Reichert and Kevin Dong, the tournament is bringing more attention to the Cincinnati pickleball scene.
Sawyer Point Park, known for welcoming pickleball fans year-round, has now become a key stop on the pro tour. The strong community support and rising talent show that pickleball in Cincinnati is growing fast and shows no signs of slowing down.
News in Brief: Vlasic Classic Pickleball Tournament
The 2025 APP Vlasic Classic Cincinnati is underway at Sawyer Point Park in Cincinnati from Thursday to Sunday. Local pros Allie Reichert and Kevin Dong are competing against top players. The event shows the sport’s rapid growth in the city and brings national attention to Cincinnati’s pickleball scene.