APP Media Release
CHICAGO (March 4, 2024)—The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) announced rosters for Team USA and Team Europe at the inaugural APP Atlantic Cup, which will take place March 20, 22 and 24 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
The historic event will be the first-ever international team competition in pickleball, as Team USA and Team Europe battle it out in singles, doubles and mixed doubles competition. International pickleball supremacy and the title of Atlantic Cup champions is on the line during the three-day competition, which coincides with the 2024 Chase APP Miami Pickleball Open. The APP Atlantic Cup is officially endorsed by both the USA Pickleball and European Pickleball Federation governing bodies – the first such event in global professional pickleball.
The 2024 Team USA roster includes Riley Bohnert (Louisville, Ky.), Alia Brown (Alpharetta, Ga.), Ava Kalist (Chambersburg, Pa.), Spencer Lanier (Newberg, Ore.), Richard Livornese (Ringoes, N.J.) and Jack Munro (Buda, Texas). Chad Edwards and Lee Whitwell will serve as coaches for Team USA, which also features four players as alternates: Jack Foster (Vero Beach, Fla.), Cameron Luhring (Parkersburg, Iowa), Kaden Seward (Joplin, Mo.) and Ivy Tschetter (White Bear Lake, Minn.).
Team Europe’s roster consists of Pialena Ander (Nyköping, Sweden), James Chaudry (London, UK), María Costantino (Malaga, Spain), Felix Grunert (Erlangen, Germany), Louis Laville (London, UK) and Thaddea Lock (London, UK). The team will be led by Laville and Lock as co-captains.
“We’re eagerly counting down the days until the APP Atlantic Cup, which marks a new milestone in pickleball history,” said APP Founder Ken Herrmann. “Pickleball is a global game, and we’re bringing some of the sport’s best players from Europe to showcase their skills in Miami. The stage is set for an exciting competition between Team USA and Team Europe!”
“I’m looking forward to coaching Team USA in the Atlantic Cup and the opportunity to showcase America’s young up-and-coming talent against the best of Europe,” said Edwards. “We’ll be looking to outperform Team Europe in Miami.”
“The European team is extremely excited to be heading to Miami to compete in pickleball’s first Atlantic Cup,” said Team Europe Co-Captain Louis Laville. “International team events have been hugely entertaining fixtures across different sports including golf, football, cricket and now pickleball. To captain Team Europe is an honor, and I will be playing and supporting my team as much as possible to help give us the inaugural victory. A huge thank you to APP for making this event happen; all six players on our team are raring to go.”
“I’m so excited to be part of a group of six great European players heading to the U.S. for the Atlantic Cup,” said Team Europe Co-Captain Thaddea Lock. “It’s an amazing opportunity for us to compete against some of the best players in the world. We are very grateful to the APP for setting up such a fantastic event and giving us this opportunity.”
Tickets to the inaugural APP Atlantic Cup will include access to the 2024 Chase APP Miami Pickleball Open. More information about both events—including player registration and ticket details—are available at theapp.global.
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About the APP:
The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) provides opportunities for pickleball players of all ages and skill levels—professionals, amateurs and recreational—to compete in world-class pickleball events for the opportunity to win prize money and be seen on internationally televised broadcasts. The APP was founded in 2019 and operates the first and only tour fully and officially sanctioned by USA Pickleball. In 2023, it held 19 events across the country and supported five international tournaments. The APP prides itself on developing the next generation of pickleball champions through its APP Next Gen Series, the APP Next Gen National Team and other youth initiatives. The 2024 schedule, recent news and additional information about the APP are available at theapp.global and on Instagram, X, Threads, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn.