The Queen City reigned supreme, as the APP Tour saw champions crowned at the 2024 APP Vlasic Classic - Cincinnati. In a city known for so many things, from food to sports to art, The APP gave Cincinnati an equally diverse book of memories at the fifth tour stop of the year. We've rounded up the best from social media to highlight all the crown jewels.
King of Queens: Ryler DeHeart owned the APP Player Blog in Queen City and did not disappoint. With his honesty, relatability, humor, and superb ability to tell it like it is, DeHeart may just have a career in media waiting for him when his pickleball days are over.
The Tortured Pickleballers Department: Singles might not be for Zack, but scouting the next big Taylor Swift hit might be. And why not? We know she plays pickleball now.
Dancing Queen: Pickleball tournaments are about more than just the pickleball, and you know what we mean if you've been to an APP Tour stop! So is it really an APP Tournament if nobody's dancing? We didn't think so.
The Royal Road: Tour life is everything you think it is - and more! The characters, the cities, the cuisine...nothing beats life on the road with a fun crew, and it doesn't get better than this video from the broadcast team, highlighting tour travel shenanigans.
The Queen Mother: Championship Sunday took place on Mother's Day and there's nobody better for a mic'd up piece than Megan Fudge, who always has her kids in tow on the APP Tour. See how she does it in this sweet but comical video featuring her pickleball-playing daughter, Lily.
Welcome to the Castle: This Ohio native's first foray into the APP Tour was one for the books! We welcome new players and love it when the experience was everything they hoped for and more. Welcome, Wade Heerboth!
Royal Family Competition: There are plenty of storylines at each APP event and battling your brother for a Golden Ticket is certainly a good one! The 2024 APP Vlasic Classic - Cincinnati was a USA Pickleball Golden Ticket event and this brother came out on top.
Queen Bee: Managing a group of people is no easy task, but Lee Whitwell shows that she's the Queen Bee, not only as coach of the Next Gen National Team, but on social media as well!
Stay In Your Lane and Don't Go Long: It was Brandon versus Brendon on Championship Sunday in the mixed pro doubles final, and Brandon Lane and his partner, Susannah Barr bested Brendon Long and his partner Yana Newell to take home the first gold of the year for both. Not sure who was more tired after this match, the four on the court, or the three in the broadcast booth.
The Queen in Queen City: Simone Jardim is a queen in her own right, and she certainly showed up to rule Queen City when she earned two golds on Championship Sunday, one in women's pro singles and the other with Allison Harris in women's pro doubles. That crown looks good on this one!
Goldin is Golden: Grayson Goldin lived up to his name and earned the first APP gold medal of his career when he defeated Zane Ford to close out a thrilling Championship Sunday. Despite the emotionally charged reactions from Goldin on court, the win of the day goes to Goldin's mom, who got one heckuva Mother's Day gift.
Kings of the Tournament: DeHeart won the first gold medal of his APP career when he and partner Rob Nunnery closed out a three-game win over William Sobek and Casey Cullen. The reactions from this veteran pair as they went through their bracket were a highlight of the tournament for anyone cheering them on!
That's all from Queen City and the 2024 APP Vlasic Classic - Cincinnati! Take a short breather and we'll be back with you next week from the Big Apple!
*Coming to a future APP Tour stop? Tag us on social and use the hashtag #APPTour and you could be featured in a future Social Roundup!
