The charming oceanfront town of Delray Beach, Florida welcomed the APP Tour with pristine beaches, mouthwatering restaurants, vivacious nightlife and perfect weather for the 2024 APP Vlasic Classic - Delray Beach. The only thing hotter than Atlantic Avenue on Friday night was the pickleball scene at the Delray Beach Tennis Center and we caught all the best moments on social media.
The Scoop: History is being made with the APP becoming the first pickleball organization breaking ground on an official headquarters. The Fort in Fort Lauderdale is officially under construction as executives from both the APP and The Fort convened for a ceremonial groundbreaking on Thursday. APP pros Andrei Daescu and Susannah Barr were also in attendance with shovels in hand to take a scoop out of the earth on the 93-acre piece of land in Snyder Park.
Sunrise to Sunset: APP broadcaster AJ McCord took advantage of the east coast sunrise as she went for a dip in the Atlantic prior to being on-air, delivering the call for Championship Sunday. When in Rome...or Delray Beach!
Golden Apples: It was a golden weekend for the Fudge/DeHeart clan in Delray Beach. Not only did Megan come away with gold in women's pro doubles with Jill Braverman, and a silver in women's pro singles, but Lily and JR each won gold in their own brackets! The apples clearly do not fall far from this medal-bearing tree.
Medieval Times: APP media relations officer and senior communications coordinator, Daniel Sagerman, got the opportunity of a lifetime - or at least the tournament - when Ryler DeHeart got down on one knee and allowed himself to be...knighted? DeHeart and Michael Lloyd won the men's pro doubles bronze medal when they beat Rob Nunnery and Erik Lange in the Sunday morning "mêlée."
PAWsitive Attention: If the APP ever expands with a canine category, these pups are raring to go and ready for their close-up!
Stay in Your Lane: Dylan Frazier found himself in enemy territory after a hussle-and-a-half to get to a ball during the men's pro doubles gold medal match against Andrei Daescu and Gabe Tardio. Frazier and partner JW Johnson won the point, the match, and the championship trophy, but the real winners were the fans who got to watch that set of sprints by Frazier in real time.
Don't Quit Your Day Job: Obviously this bunch is much better at playing pickleball than they are at predicting women's college hoops. Spoiler alert: South Carolina beat Iowa, 87-75.
Two for Two: Judit Castillo and Chris Haworth both won their second APP pro singles golds of the season at the 2024 APP Vlasic Classic - Delray Beach, and that smile says it all!
Home Sweet Home: Is home court advantage a thing in pickleball? Jorja Johnson, Gabe Tardio, Megan Fudge and JW Johnson, all Florida residents who took home gold medals this weekend, are proof positive that it is. There's something to be said about playing in front of your friends and family, and don't forget mom's home cooking!
It's About the Journey, Not the Destination: Perspective is a key ingredient in mental toughness, and being able to identify progress in small steps is a skill mastered by few. But small wins are still wins, and Alejandra Lopez Borobia is a winner in Delray Beach!
First Time for Everything: Here at the APP we love a good FIRST. Congrats to everyone who played their first tournament, first tournament in a new level, won their first medal, or even just saw pickleball for the first time. Welcome to the club...you will get addicted!
So long from Florida and the 2024 APP Vlasic Classic - Delray Beach! Get your rest in while you can because we'll be back next month from Cincinnati, Ohio!
*Coming to a future APP Tour stop? Tag us on social or use the hashtag #APPTour and you could be featured in a future Social Roundup!
