The APP (Association of Pickleball Players) has unveiled the lineups for Team USA and Team Europe, which will compete in the upcoming inaugural APP Atlantic Cup to be held on March 20, 22, and 24 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
This groundbreaking event marks the first-ever international team competition in pickleball history. It pits Team USA against Team Europe in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles matches. Over the three-day tournament, participants will vie for international pickleball supremacy and the coveted title of Atlantic Cup champions.
A Significant Milestone
The event coincides with the 2024 Chase APP Miami Pickleball Open and is officially endorsed by both the USA Pickleball and European Pickleball Federation governing bodies—a significant milestone in professional pickleball on a global scale.
The 2024 Team USA roster boasts players such as 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). Leading Team USA are coaches Chad Edwards and Lee Whitwell, with Jack Foster (Vero Beach, Fla.), Cameron Luhring (Parkersburg, Iowa), Kaden Seward (Joplin, Mo.), and Ivy Tschetter (White Bear Lake, Minn.) serving as alternates.
Showcasing America’s Up-And-Coming Talent
Coach Edwards commented, “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. We’ll be looking to outperform Team Europe in Miami.”
Meanwhile, Team Europe’s lineup features Pialena Ander (Nyköping, Sweden), James Chaudry (London, UK), María Costantino (Málaga, Spain), Felix Grunert (Erlangen, Germany), Louis Laville (London, UK), and Thaddea Lock (London, UK), with Laville and Lock serving as co-captains.
“The European team is extremely excited to be heading to Miami to compete in pickleball’s first Atlantic Cup,” Laville said. “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.”
An Amazing Opportunity
Thaddea Lock added, “I’m so excited to be part of a group of six great European players heading to the U.S. for the Atlantic Cup.
“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.”
“A Global Game”
Ken Herrmann, Founder of APP, was equally thrilled, commenting, “We’re eagerly counting down the days until the APP Atlantic Cup, which marks a new milestone in pickleball history.
“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!”
Tickets for the inaugural APP Atlantic Cup will grant access to the 2024 Chase APP Miami Pickleball Open. Further details, including player registration and ticket information, can be found at theapp.global.
