Cincy Gold and a Mixed Final to Remember

Hey guys, it’s Jack!

If you know me, you know I’m a huge fan of Hesacore grips. I’ve been using them for a while now and they’ve seriously changed the way I play. The feel, the control, the comfort all just clicks. They’re a super easy add-on to your paddle and honestly one of the best ways to level up your game. They’ve even given me a code to share with y’all if you want to try ‘em out and get a new feel on your paddle!

Code “JACK10” for 10% off!

It’s time to recap my APP stop in Cincinnati and this one meant more than it usually does.

I’ve said it before, Cincinnati hasn’t exactly been my favorite stop on the tour. The courts aren’t individually fenced off, it’s usually cold and windy, and to be honest, my results here haven’t ever really stood out. Two years ago, I got my first main draw here thanks to my guy Caden Nemoff, one of my all-time favorite teammates. We didn’t make any waves back then, and the story wasn’t much different last year either.

But this year was different for me.

Men’s Doubles

I played with my usual partner Will Howells and we kept our undefeated streak alive. That’s five straight golds this year. We took the win in the finals against Casey Diamond and Kyle Koszuta (Who a lot of you might know as thatpickleballguy on Instagram). He’s a serious student of the game and it’s been cool watching his game level up fast. Seeing new talent in the finals like that is great for the sport and makes the win feel even better

Mixed Doubles

In mixed, I teamed up with Megan Fudge. We had a great run to the finals and played one of the best matches I’ve ever been part of. It was a wild three-gamer against my mens partner Will and Bobbi Oshiro and came down to the wire, 11-9 in the third. We had our chances, but I’m walking away from that one proud. Not just of the performance, but of the growth. It’s been a big mindset shift for me lately, viewing each match as part of the process. I like to remind myself it’s ok to lose because it’s more you learn.

Shoutout to the Hosts

Another reason this weekend felt different is because of my hosts. Absolutely incredible people. It’s something not talked about enough, but the host families across the country are a huge part of making this all possible. Whether it’s saving us from hotel costs or just making us feel at home, we wouldn’t be where we are without them. So massive shoutout to every host that’s opened their doors to players like me.

That’s a Wrap

Cincy changed my mind this year. The weather was great, the people were even better, and I left with some memories I truly will never forget!

Next stop for your inbox: APP New York… Can’t wait for y’all to hear the details on this. See you soon!

— Jack Munro