San Diego, USA
What’s the Score?
The future of professional pickleball was prominently displayed at the 2025 USA Pickleball National Championships in San Diego, where two rising stars from the APP Next Generation program, Jae Centonze (19) and MJ Greiner (13), delivered exceptional performances in men’s singles. Centonze, competing in the elite men’s pro division, successfully navigated a deep draw to reach the quarterfinals. Even more remarkably, 13-year-old Greiner dominated the 5.0 age 19+ men’s singles division, securing the gold medal without dropping a single game.
Hit it Deeper!
Both athletes are regular competitors in the APP Next series—the world’s leading tournament circuit for aspiring professional players—and are members of the APP Touring Pro Program based at The Fort, the APP’s global headquarters.
Jae Centonze’s performance in the pro division demonstrated his readiness to compete with the sport’s elite. Seeded No. 23, the Belleview, Florida native began his run by defeating the No. 10 seed Will Sobek in straight games (11-6, 11-6). He followed this up by dispatching multi-time gold medalist Richard Livornese, Jr., also in straight sets (11-7, 11-5), to advance to the quarterfinals. Although his run ended in a “hard-fought battle” against the eventual champion Patrick Kawka, Centonze’s ability to take out high-seeded, established professionals confirmed his rapid ascent in the sport.
Meanwhile, MJ Greiner proved his amateur dominance by conquering the 5.0 age 19+ men’s singles division, despite being one of the youngest players in the field. Seeded No. 2, the West Palm Beach native was unstoppable, winning his opening match and then cruising through the semifinals with commanding scores (11-2, 11-2). In the championship match against California’s Dylan Galarza, Greiner secured the gold with an 11-8, 11-3 victory. His ability to dominate the highest-rated amateur division for his age group without dropping a single game highlights his exceptional control and potential.
APP Founder Ken Herrmann expressed immense pride in both players, affirming that Centonze proved he could “keep up with the elite players at the top” and that Greiner is “well on his way to becoming a major star on the APP Tour”. The successful runs of both Centonze and Greiner provided San Diego with a clear “glimpse of just how bright the future of pickleball is with the APP”. Both players were scheduled to be back in action immediately following the Nationals at the final APP Next competition of 2025 in Fort Lauderdale.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The performances of Centonze and Greiner at the 2025 USAP Nationals underscore the vital role that dedicated developmental programs, like the APP Next series, play in the growth cycle of professional pickleball.
Their success proves that structured training and a dedicated pathway allow young athletes to rapidly bridge the gap between amateur and professional play. Centonze’s quarterfinal run against top pros and Greiner’s undisputed amateur gold medal are not mere feel-good stories; they represent quantifiable metrics showing that the pipeline is generating legitimate, ready-to-compete talent, ensuring the sport’s longevity and competitive depth by nurturing its next generation of stars.
Chris Beaumont is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of World Pickleball Magazine. Chris follows the global game closely, reporting on the latest news, developments, stories and tournaments from all five continents. He also hosts the World Pickleball Podcast, interviewing people at all levels of pickleball. Chris is also an avid player, currently struggling to make the breakthrough from 4.0 to 4.5.