APP South Carolina Open Preview

What to Watch For at the APP South Carolina Open

A week after the PPA's event in St. George, the APP Tour gets its shot with the APP South Carolina Open that features a $40,000 purse. This South Carolina pickleball tournament is one of the most anticipated stops on the calendar this spring.

Simone Jardim is the player to check out on the women's side. The men's side features a number of the game's top players, including J.W. Johnson, Zane Navratil and more.

Jardim will team up with Johnson in mixed doubles and play alongside one of the most popular players in the game, Lee Whitwell, in the women's pro field. Of course, Jardim might be the most-decorated female player in pickleball, but Whitwell has become extremely popular of late and has a great presence on social media, including on her Instagram page.

This is the first year of the APP South Carolina Open. The APP Tour makes another first-time stop next month at the APP St. Louis Open, May 4-8.

GET THE NEW BEN JOHNS HYPERION PADDLE AT FROMUTH PICKLEBALL. If you snag anything else before you checkout, get 10% off with 10DINK (exclusions apply).

APP South Carolina Open Singles: Men's and Women's Fields

Men's Singles at the APP South Carolina Open

As Yahoo Sports has documented, Ben Johns is the top singles player in pickleball, but who's No. 2? Well, you could easily make a case for Navratil or Johnson, both of whom will be competing this week in South Carolina at this APP Tour event. Johns will not be in South Carolina for the event.

Overall, there are 20 players in the field and plenty of intrigue, too. Others to watch for include veteran Frank Anthony Davis as well as 16-year-old C.J. Klinger, the youngest player in the field.

Women's Singles

It's not the biggest or deepest field, but there are some names worth watching at this pickleball tournament in Camden. Michelle Esquivel, along with Salome Devidze, are players to keep an eye out for in the field.

The bracket also includes 16-year-old Jorja Johnson, who had a couple of singles golds already this year. Count on Anna Bright to challenge for a spot at the top of the podium, too.

Mixed Doubles

You have to love the pairing of Jardim, an accomplished veteran, teaming up with 20-year-old J.W. Johnson. No doubt, this is the team to beat in the field of 17 teams.

Navratil and Corrine Carr make up a great pairing and it would be surprising to see the duo not medal this week. Who else should be there at the end? Probably Johnny Goldberg and Sarah Ansboury, who is making the short trip over from Hilton Head, S.C. Count on the team of Esquivel and Rob Cassidy to make a deep run in the tournament, too.

Other pairings worth noting include Whitwell playing with Andrei Daescu as well as the team of Brandon Nsekpong and Jorja Johnson.

GET 10% OFF YOUR ACACIA PICKLEBALL SHOES AND MOST OTHER GEAR WITH CODE 10DINK AT FROMUTHPICKLEBALL.COM. Acacia footwear is now available at fromuthpickleball.com.

Men's and Women's Doubles

Men's Doubles

Sixteen teams are in the men's doubles bracket and it would be hard to figure anyone other than J.W. Johnson and Navratil would be the favorites here. It's the highest-powered team in the field, and it's not that close.

Nsekpong and Goldberg will be in the medal chase as will Daescu and the extremely tall and agile Eden Lica.

Here's a team to check out: 21-year-old Caden Nemoff and Rob Cassidy. Both have a lot of energy, bounce around the court and show plenty of personality.

Women's Doubles at the APP South Carolina Open

Just 10 teams, but it's a really fun field, featuring Whitwell and Jardim. Gotta be the only time a pair of 40-plus year olds have teamed up, right? Well, they might be the oldest, but it's certainly the team to beat.

Carr and Ansboury will be in the mix as will Esquivel and her partner Regina Franco-Goldberg.

How about a wildcard team? Check out Kasandra Gehrke and Arielle Butler. Gehrke is a high-energy player who has the ability to hit some phenomenal shots.

Where and When

Venue: Tennis Center and Pickleball Plaza of Camden (S.C.)

Schedule

• Friday, April 15: Mixed doubles
• Saturday, April 16: Men's and women's doubles
• Sunday, April 17: Men's and women's singles

Where to Watch

APPTV on YouTube. Yahoo Sports has noted how pro pickleball's streaming audience continues to grow with each passing APP Tour event. This South Carolina pickleball tournament is no exception, and fans nationwide can watch the APP South Carolina Open live without a cable subscription.

Weather Forecast

• Friday: Mostly sunny with a high of 77 and winds about 10 mph.
• Saturday: Scattered thunderstorms with a high of 77 and winds about 6 mph.
• Sunday: Mostly cloudy with a high of 74 and winds about 9 mph.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the APP South Carolina Open?

The APP South Carolina Open is a professional pickleball tournament held in Camden, S.C., featuring a $40,000 prize purse spread across all divisions. It marks the first-ever APP Tour stop in the Palmetto State and is part of a growing calendar of first-time APP Tour events across the country.

Who are the top players competing at this APP Tour event?

Simone Jardim headlines the women's draw, while men's contenders J.W. Johnson and Zane Navratil are the clear favorites. With Ben Johns sitting this one out, the door is wide open for a new name to stake a claim as the No. 2 men's singles player at this South Carolina pickleball tournament.

Where is the APP South Carolina Open being played?

The event takes place at the Tennis Center and Pickleball Plaza of Camden, located in Camden, South Carolina. The facility offers a quality outdoor setting for competitive professional play across all three days of the event.

How can fans watch the APP South Carolina Open live?

The APP South Carolina Open streams live on APPTV, available for free on YouTube. Fans can follow along with the mixed doubles action on Friday, the doubles draws on Saturday, and singles on Sunday.

What APP Tour event follows the South Carolina Open?

The APP Tour heads next to St. Louis for the APP St. Louis Open, scheduled for May 4-8. That event also marks a first-time stop for the tour, continuing a stretch of exciting new venues for the women's doubles and other divisions this spring.