The temp was a cool 71 degrees all week long, which made for some pretty perfect pickleball weather for the APP's second trip to Newport Beach, California this year. But while the air was cool, the pickleball was hot - full of incredible moments - just the way we like it. Take a look back at the highlights from the week.
Proud Mama: Simone Jardim and Amanda Hendry partnered up in the women's pro doubles event and you could say that ended really well. Hendry earned her first gold of the year as the pair defeated the No. 2 seeds, Yana Newell and Rianna Valdes, in a thrilling three-setter on Championship Sunday. Hendry then went on to win her first women's pro singles gold later in the day when she defeated Newell to cap off a double gold weekend. Jardim, who has been mentoring and training with Hendry in recent months, wasn't shy about expressing her pride!
Hi, Mom: The APP social team got to work on the important tournament issues - when was the last time players called their moms? Check out the hilarious - and adorable - answers from of our favorite mamas boys.
Law of Energy: Energy is contagious and this lady has it in spades! Her enthusiasm after her podium finish, despite a bee sting, what pickleball is all about. And she's right - this pickleball journey is not for the faint of heart!
Finding Gratitude: Playing any sport for a living is something to be grateful for and we love the gratitude oozing from Maria, who is appreciative of every facet of her pickleball experience!
It's a Sign: He almost gave up pickleball before this tournament, but had he done that, Zack wouldn't have won his first pro medal - a silver - at the OWL APP Newport Beach Open! They may have lost to Erik Lange and Max Manthou, who won in Newport in July, but Zack and Spencer are loving their hard-earned silvers, made possible by an Instagram connection! If this isn't a sign to stick with pickleball...
Purple and Gold: Max "Purple Jesus" Manthou claimed two golds at the 2024 OWL APP Newport Beach Open, in mixed pro doubles with Christine Maddox, and men's pro doubles, with Erik Lange. He also recently celebrated the debut of his new book, "A Pickleball Gospel." What a weekend for Max!
It's the People: One of the most amazing things about the game of pickleball is the people who play it. Ask anyone who plays and they'll tell you the relationships they've made from their time on the court are second to none. Does that mean there's no losing in pickleball? No. But does that make losing easier? Absolutely.
The Little Things: Getting to play a pro sport with your sibling is a special thing, no matter the sport, and Jill Braverman and her sister, Natalie Raney, got to do just that last weekend. They made it all the way to the semis and managed not to kill each other...it's the little things, right?
It's Really the People: What were we just saying about the people in pickleball? How cool is it that we get to travel around the country, playing this sport that we love and meeting friends along the way? Pickleball rocks.
Pasta is Always the Answer: Yana Newell not only came away with two silver medals in women's pro singles and women's pro doubles, but she rocked the APP Pro Player blog in Newport Beach with good-natured humor and some one-liners for the ages. Her favorite topic aside from pickleball? Food - and pasta in particular! Newell's 'it's just pickleball' mentality gives her a necessary mental toughness that is only rivaled by her love for pasta bowls.
Did You See That: If you're a little dizzy after keeping up with this rally during the men's pro doubles semifinal round, you aren't alone. Fast hands on each of these athletes!
That's all for the Social Roundup from Newport Beach! Thanks for reading this whole year and we look forward to more in 2025!
