Golden Glory: Whitwell and Oncins Dazzle at the Vlassic Classic Cincinnati Open
CINCINNATI, OHIO – Under the cloud-scattered skies of southwest Ohio, the energy at the Vlassic Classic Cincinnati Open was nothing short of electric. With \$100,000 on the line, the APP Champions Tour brought together its most elite athletes for a weekend of high-octane pickleball, and it was the mixed doubles final that delivered the most riveting drama of all.
And at the heart of it? Two seasoned warriors—Lee Whitwell and Jaime Oncins—standing tall in gold, lifting the trophy with a combined roar of victory and relief.
**A Clash of Titans**
Whitwell, known as the “Queen of Grit” on the APP circuit, and Oncins, the stoic Brazilian powerhouse whose volleys could stop traffic, were a force long in the making. Though hailing from different continents and vastly different sporting backgrounds—Whitwell with her Las Vegas savvy and relentless hustle, and Oncins with his Olympic tennis past and South American fire—the duo had found something rare: chemistry.
From the opening serve of the tournament, the pair played with a kind of telepathy that left opponents scrambling. Their semifinal win over the top-seeded pair of Kristina Braid and Marcus Dillinger was a straight-set symphony of precision and persistence, but it was the final that elevated them to legend status.
**The Final: An Epic to Remember**
Facing them on Championship Court were the young guns—Riley James and Serena Knox, the fastest-rising team on the tour. At 24 and 22 respectively, the duo brought a relentless pace and no fear of big moments. Their semi had gone the distance, a bruising three-set battle that had the crowd howling, and they entered the final as emotional favorites.
The first set was a blur. Knox’s left-handed spins and James’s mid-court attacks put Whitwell and Oncins on the back foot. At 3-8 down, many in the packed stands thought the gold might be heading toward the new generation.
But champions adjust.
Whitwell’s famed mid-court defense kicked in, and Oncins began dictating pace with his trademark drop shots. With a 9-point run, the veterans turned the tide and took the first set 11-8.
The second set was a war. No team ever led by more than two. At 10-10, with match point swinging like a pendulum, Oncins fired a backhand flick so sharp it clipped the inside line, freezing Knox. The crowd erupted. One final rally—thirty-seven blistering shots—ended when Whitwell put away a sideline dink with a roar.
Final score: 11-8, 12-10.
Gold medal. Champions.
**Post-Match Emotions**
After match point, the two collapsed into a hug center court as confetti rained down, green and gold shimmering like the pickles of the Vlassic logo themselves.
In the post-match interview, Whitwell grinned, visibly emotional.
“Jaime and I, we’ve been grinding. We don’t have the flashiest shots, but we’ve got fire and faith in each other. This one means everything.”
Oncins nodded, wiping sweat and maybe a tear. “We respect the game. We love this sport. And today, we played from the heart.”
**A Weekend to Remember**
The \$100k Vlassic Classic had more than money at stake—it was a proving ground. With record attendance and streaming numbers surpassing 2 million views worldwide, it’s clear the sport of pickleball is no longer niche. It’s spectacle.
Tournament director Tanya Ruiz spoke glowingly of the event’s success. “We had food trucks, we had live bands, we had ten thousand fans screaming for pickleball under the Cincinnati sun. But what people will remember is that final. That’s what the sport is about—passion, perseverance, partnership.”
**Veterans Rising**
Whitwell and Oncins’ victory wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. With younger duos flooding the scene, the triumph of the seasoned pair reminded fans and players alike that savvy, strategy, and synergy are timeless.
Their partnership, forged just six months earlier during an impromptu hit in Florida, blossomed into a powerhouse. With this win, they’ve now vaulted to the top of the APP Champions Tour rankings, overtaking some long-time fixtures and igniting speculation: could they go unbeaten this season?
“This is just the beginning,” said Oncins, holding his medal. “Lee and I—we’re not done.”
**Looking Ahead**
With the APP Tour heading next to San Diego for the Pacific Pro, all eyes will be on the new No. 1s. Can Whitwell and Oncins repeat the magic? Will the hungry contenders like Knox and James strike back? The race for the season title just got tighter—and more thrilling.
For now, though, Cincinnati belongs to Whitwell and Oncins. Their names etched in gold, their legacy cemented in what’s being hailed as one of the greatest mixed finals in APP history.
And as the crowd filtered out of the grandstands, beneath banners flapping in the evening breeze, a chant lingered in the air:
“Lee and Jaime! Lee and Jaime!”
Two names, one title, and a tournament the pickleball world won’t soon forget.