The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) concluded the 2025 APP Chicago Open with thrilling doubles action on Championship Sunday. The event ran over Labor Day weekend at Danny Cunniff Park in Highland Park. Fans packed the stands to watch elite players compete in fast-paced men’s pro doubles matches.
Men’s Pro Doubles Final
Jack Munro and Will Howells won the gold medal in men’s doubles, defeating the Pacific Northwest team of Erik Lange and Max “Purple Jesus” Manthou, who took silver. Munro and Howells won game one 11-5 and continued their strong play to take game two 11-6, claiming their sixth men’s doubles title together in 2025. Richard Livornese, Jr. and Tanner Tomassi earned the bronze medals.
“They’re our greatest competitors,”
Jack Munro said of Erik Lange and Max “Purple Jesus” Manthou.
“I was feeling one specific pattern [today], and I just stayed with it.”
Will Howells added,
“We really kept our feet going, making sure we saw the ball down and the kitchen, moved forward and attacked off of that.”
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Event Background
The 2025 APP Chicago Open featured five days of high-level pickleball competition. Danny Cunniff Park in Highland Park hosted top players from across the country. The APP Tour is the first professional pickleball tour, drawing elite talent in both singles and doubles events each year.
Match Highlights
In the men’s doubles final, the top-seeded pair of Jack Munro and Will Howells dominated early. They built an 11-5 lead in game one and carried momentum to game two, winning 11-6. Their strong teamwork and consistent strategy helped them secure the gold medal.
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Richard Livornese, Jr. and Tanner Tomassi took bronze after solid performances.
Significance
Jack Munro and Will Howells’ win adds to their impressive record in 2025 and highlights their dominance in men’s doubles on the APP Tour. Their teamwork and tactical play set a high standard for future tournaments and add excitement for fans watching the growing sport of professional pickleball.
News in Brief: Jack Munro and Will Howells
Jack Munro and Will Howells won gold in men’s doubles at the 2025 APP Chicago Open. Erik Lange and Max “Purple Jesus” Manthou took silver, while Richard Livornese, Jr. and Tanner Tomassi earned bronze. The tournament ran five days at Danny Cunniff Park, drawing large crowds to watch elite pickleball action.
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