H-town may have been hot and humid, but the energy from the 2023 APP Houston Open was off the charts. From first timers to seasoned pros, the Houston Memorial Park Tennis Center and the Houston Pickleball Center saw a little bit of everything.
PicklebALL: As part of the APP's ongoing partnership with AARP, pickleball pro Andrei Daescu came out on Wednesday afternoon to host a clinic organized by AARP. Both beginning and intermediate players were included and good times were had by all!
Houston, We Have a Problem: A little bit of rain never hurt anyone, but it did require a change of venue for the pro singles event on Thursday. Luckily, the Houston Pickleball Center came in clutch, two weeks before they're even scheduled to open to the public. It didn't bother Judit Castillo, though, who booked another trip to Championship Sunday in women's pro singles!
Blogger Life: APP pro Alix Truong took the reins as the official tournament blogger on Thursday as she began her weekend with pro singles play. Throughout the entire weekend Truong chronicled, in detail, her experience, from her first warmup to her Championship Sunday silver medal with Vivian Glozman, their sixth consecutive medal in women's pro singles. When her pickleball career is over, this firecracker has a career in media waiting for her!
Everyone Loves a Rally: Words aren't necessary to describe this pickleball perfection. And the point-winning shot? An ATP of course.
Living the Good Life: The Lexus Lounge at the 2023 APP Houston Open was the place to be this weekend. With cooling fans, a buffet, a bar with specialty drinks, and lounge seating, the VIP lounges at APP Tour stops has become a thing for fans and players alike. Take this tour with Max!
Welcome to the Big Show: We love welcoming new faces to the APP Tour, the pro draws, and to pickleball in general. Each pickleball journey is unique, and what a rush, getting into the pro draw and playing on Championship Court!
Dance Time in Texas: We may not have had George Strait, but here at the APP Tour we kick our shoes off and dance in the aisles!
Everything's Bigger in Texas: Pala Pickleball Club, the largest indoor facility in Texas, had a big showing here at the 2023 APP Houston Open, and we would expect nothing less!
Quote of the Day: Quang Duong put on a show with his first APP Tour gold ever, but the line of the week was delivered by 19-year-old Ronan Camron, after he won his silver medal. His sponsors are definitely proud of this partnership!
Look Good, Feel Good: Salome Devidze won her sixth APP Tour gold this year in women's pro singles on Sunday, and her ride for the week, provided by the APP and Lexus, surely provided an extra bit of luck.
On Sundays We Wear Pink: Susannah Barr has been on straight fire recently, as she captured two golds on Championship Sunday after coming through the back draw twice - one in women's pro doubles with Megan Fudge, their third straight title together, then again with Daescu in mixed pro doubles, their sixth championship of the season.
Andrei the Giant: He may *only* be 6-feet-4, but right now, Daescu is larger than life. After winning gold on Sunday with Barr in mixed pro doubles, and then again with Rob Nunnery in men's pro doubles - their fourth consecutive and seventh on the year - Daescu has 27 total medals on the year, including 19 gold, which leads the entire field in both categories. Chest bumps all around!
That's it from the 2023 APP Houston Open! We'll be back one more time this year for the 2023 U.S. Indoor Championship in Rosemont, Illinois and we can't wait to see you there!
Coming to a future APP Tour stop? Use the hashtag #APPTour and you could be featured in a future Social Roundup!
