They say everything's bigger in Texas and if you ask Megan Fudge or Hunter Johnson, they might agree with you after both took home two championship titles from the 2023 APP Dallas Open. The Oasis Pickleball Club provided just that - an oasis for another spectacular APP tournament with blue skies and just the right amount of heat, coming on - and off - the pickleball courts.
Lucky Number Seven: Johnson won an impressive seventh men's pro singles title this year by defeating Chris Haworth in dominant fashion on Championship Sunday, 11-4 and 11-1. It was Haworth's second Championship Sunday appearance in 2023.
Dynamic Duo: Johnson and partner Parris Todd captured their second mixed pro doubles gold in as many weeks on Sunday, taking top-rated Susannah Barr and Andrei Daescu to three games en route to their fourth title of the year.
Hardware Hog: After her double gold in women's pro singles and women's pro doubles last week in Atlanta, Fudge said that in order to defend her titles in Dallas she would have to stay humble and hungry. Well, she must have been starving, because not only did Fudge defend both titles, but she added a bronze medal with Kaden Seward in mixed pro doubles. Those lucky socks are working overtime!
Sugar High: There's no such thing as too many Fudge Barrs. For the second consecutive tournament and third time in 2023, Fudge and Barr won gold in women's pro singles. They beat Bobbi Oshiro and Milan Rane in three games on Sunday and look to have found a super sweet groove. The pickleball is the least important object in this photo!
It Takes Two: Daescu and Rob Nunnery took two games on Stefan Auvergne and Daniel De La Rosa in their gold medal match to capture their sixth men's pro doubles title this year and third in a row. “We went on a good run to finish the first game and then the second game. I’m happy to get the title here in Dallas. Props to Stefan and Daniel; they came out firing," said Daescu following the win.
Live and Learn: Good life advice after another APP first!
Mental Health is Health: In sports, as in life, things don't always go our way. But honesty as always the best policy especially when it's with yourself. Amanda Hendry's mental toughness will have her keep on keeping on!
On the Road Again: Wanderlust is a thing, but tour life has its ups and downs. Bella Nelson keeps it real with a little behind-the-scenes look at her 2023 APP Dallas Open experience.
The Good, the Bad and the Funny: Is it really a social roundup if Lee Whitwell isn't included? She and her crew demonstrate the most entertaining parts of pro pickleball and what's not to love?
That's a wrap from the Big D! We'll break for a couple weeks and be right back here in the Lone Star State for the 2023 APP Houston Open!
*Coming to a future tour stop? Use the hashtag #APPTour and you could be featured in a future Social Roundup!
