By Katrina Muana
Diamond isn’t the only bling Casey took home after the APP Open in Fort Lauderdale.
Last week, the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) Tour returned to its official headquarters in The Fort to host its 2025 AARP Open in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from October 8th-12th. Casey Diamond, one of the first players to compete with the RPM Friction Pro Paddle at the professional level, competed in all three divisions. Notably, he and Sofia Sewing took home the bronze medals in the mixed pro doubles division, crossing a milestone for RPM Pickleball along the way.
Casey Diamond (L) and Sofia Sewing (R) with their bronze medals via The APP on Facebook
Diamond (Boca Raton, FL) competed throughout the tournament with his paddle of choice, the RPM Friction Pro 16MM Elongated Paddle. His bronze victory with Sewing marks the first-ever pro medal for RPM Pickleball, just a month after its initial launch in September.
“I have been loving the 16MM Friction Pro,” Diamond says, “it’s one of the only paddles I’ve ever used that feels unreal right out of the package with zero break-in period.”
Diamond and Sewing’s path to earning bronze started with their round of 16 match against Arielle Butler and Erik Pailet, who were taken down in two games. Next, they faced Susannah Barr and Brandon Lane in the quarterfinals, defeating them in two games, earning a pickle in the second. In the semifinals, Megan Fudge and Jack Munro persevered against Sewing and Diamond in a three-game match, resulting in the latter’s advancement to the bronze medal match. There, Sewing and Diamond faced Amanda Hendry and Richard Livornese Jr., winning in three games, with a tight third game that ended in a 13-11 victory.
Round of 16
| Sewing S. / Diamond C. | 2 | 14 | 11 |
| Butler A. / Pailet E. | 0 | 12 | 6 |
Quarterfinals
| Sewing S. / Diamond C. | 2 | 11 | 11 |
| Lane B. / Barr S. | 0 | 7 | 0 |
Semifinals
| Sewing S. / Diamond C. | 1 | 8 | 11 | 3 |
| Munro J. / Fudge M. | 2 | 11 | 5 | 11 |
Bronze Medal Match
| Sewing S. / Diamond C. | 2 | 8 | 11 | 13 |
| Hendry A. / Livornese R. | 1 | 11 | 2 | 11 |
“BRONZE BADDIES!!!” via @sofiasewing on Instagram
In the round of 16 match against Butler and Pailet, Diamond hit a remarkable shot with his RPM Friction Pro. At 3-3 in the second game, Pailet speeds up at Diamond, who hits the ball in between his legs and behind his body for an amazing reset. In the words of the commentator, “How did he hit that?!” To follow it up, Diamond hits another reset and then a clean cross-court winner to end the point.
Diamond also competed in the tournament’s men’s pro singles division, making an impressive run to the semifinals, where he was ultimately defeated by Dusty Boyer. In the men’s pro doubles division, Diamond partnered with Erik Lange, who was also equipped with an RPM Friction Pro paddle. They defeated Etienne Blaszkewycz & Kevin Dong in the round of 16, but they lost against Kyle Koszuta and Ryler DeHeart in the quarterfinals.
With deep runs in all three pro divisions, Casey Diamond’s exceptional debut with the RPM Friction Pro at the APP Tour is one to remember.
“Nothing better than supporting a good friend of mine, James Ignatowich, while also using the best paddle I’ve gotten my hands on recently,” Diamond says.
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