Pickleball history will be made this weekend with a truly special event, the inaugural APP Women’s Open Presented by The James. This first-of-its-kind event will showcase the best women in pickleball, where they’ll compete with top competition, celebrate and fuel the growth of the women’s game, and connect in support of a common cause – breast cancer awareness. All elements of this vibrant, multi-day event, which coincides with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, will be presented by women – from players and referees to broadcasters and the APP tournament operations team.
The APP ventures to Columbus, Ohio – a first-time stop – for three days of elite pickleball action. Women pickleball players from around the world will hit the courts this weekend, featuring amateurs of all ages, pickleball’s elite pros and the AARP Champions (50+) Division. Medals and prize money are up for grabs on a national TV broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
As part of the festivities, the APP is joining forces with global fashion brand Victoria’s Secret to support the event’s primary missions of raising funds for breast cancer research and fueling the growth of pickleball among women and girls. On Saturday, the event will host the Dream Big Summit, a special panel designed to connect, inspire and uplift more than 100 young women – high school and college age – and create a conversation around self-advocacy and its importance when pursuing their passions.
As the APP heads to Columbus, there’s plenty of names to watch. Here are the top storylines heading into the 2024 APP Women’s Open.
Phenomenal Fudge
Megan Fudge won her seventh gold medal of 2024 in Chicago, taking the women's singles title. The APP Tour's all-time women's medal leader will once again be the top seed in women's singles, while partnering with Jill Braverman in women's doubles.
Raising the Barr
Susannah Barr earned her second gold medal of 2024 in Chicago, winning women's doubles with Bobbi Oshiro, giving her seven total medals on the APP Tour thus far in 2024. The Boise, Idaho native has 50 career APP Tour medals, tied for the third-most of any woman in APP Tour history.
Bravermania
Jill Braverman is tied for the second-most total medals on the APP Tour this season with nine. The Newport Beach, CA native took home two bronze medals at the Zimmer Biomet APP Chicago Open, including one with Megan Fudge in women's doubles.
All Hail the Queen
Simone Jardim is the APP Tour's all-time women's gold medal leader with 32 golds in her illustrious career. Jardim and Allison Harris are the No. 2 women's doubles seeds in Columbus. The Brazil native teams up with Angela Simon in split-age women's doubles.
All About Allison
Allison Harris has had a great year on the APP Tour in 2024, earning four medals including a gold in women's doubles at the APP Vlasic Classic in Cincinnati. Harris and Simone Jardim are the No. 2 seeds in women's doubles in Columbus.
The Amanda Show
Amanda Hendry battled hard in Chicago, earning a silver medal in women's doubles. The former field hockey All-American at North Carolina has three total medals on the APP Tour in 2024. Hendry will be the No. 2 seed in women's singles, and pairs up with Kelsey Grambeau and Lee Whitwell in women's doubles in Columbus.
The Kids Are Alright
2024 APP Next Gen U.S. National Team members Riley Bohnert, Lauren Mercado and Brooke Revuelta are ready to return to action in Columbus.
Legendary Lee
Lee Whitwell has been a longtime mainstay on the APP Tour and has been a force to be reckoned with in her first year in the AARP Champions (50+) Division. Whitwell has won an incredible 15 gold medals in eight tournaments thus far in 2024, primarily in women's doubles and mixed doubles.
Can’t Stop Karin
Karin Ptaszek-Kochis has dominated the AARP Champions Division women's singles circuit in 2024, winning six gold medals in nine tournaments.
Amazing Angela
Angela Simon has flourished on the 2024 APP Tour in the AARP Champions Division, winning six gold medals in women's doubles alongside her partner Lee Whitwell. The Atlanta native has 11 total medals in 2024.
Don’t Miss the Action
Live coverage from the 2024 APP Women's Open presented by The James airs Saturday 10/5 and Sunday 10/6 via APPTV on YouTube. The coverage continues from 3 to 5 pm ET on CBS Sports Network on Sunday. AJ McCord, Dominic Catalano and Chad Edwards will be on the call.
Fans can stay posted on all the action by following the APP’s social media pages: @OfficialAPPTour on Instagram, X, TikTok, and Threads and APP Tour on Facebook.
Venue:
Pickle & Chill
880 W Henderson Rd
Columbus, Ohio
Tickets:
Available via SITickets.com
Broadcast Info (all times Eastern):
Saturday, Oct. 5 | 11 am - 5 pm ET | APPTV on YouTube
Sunday, Oct. 6 | 11 am - 2 pm ET | APPTV on YouTube
Sunday, Oct. 6 | 3 - 5 pm ET | CBS Sports Network (live)
Event schedule and results can be found here.
