OVERALL TOP 5:
- HOW DOES THIS RATE?: 2ND stop in Vegas in 2024, 1st one that’s outdoors, and it will be hot (highs in the upper 90s).
- CHECKERED FLAG IN SIGHT: Just 3 events left for players to qualify for the CIBC Finals in December.
- SPHERE OF INFLUENCE: Will players be focused on Vegas attractions or the Vulcan V Pro Flight (which will play slower due to the heat)?
- MAJOR LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN: MLP’s second last regular season event immediately follows the Rate Championships.
- BREAK IT OPEN: 1,000 points to the winner with singles played Thursday, mixed Friday, men’s and women’s doubles on Saturday, and champions will be crowned on Sunday.
VENUE/TOURNEY/TV:
- Event #20 of the year.
- Broadcast start times are 11am Pacific Thursday through Sunday.
- Full coverage on Pickleball TV (Prime Video, Roku, Samsung TV Plus, LG, and many more).
- Tennis Channel coverage in the afternoons on Friday-Sunday.
WOMEN’S SINGLES:
- Defending medalists: Anna Leigh Waters, Catherine Parenteau, Dominique Schaefer
- Kate Fahey (9) impressive late surge in the rankings to a single digit seed, but would meet Waters (1) in the quarters if both players get that far.
- Catherine Parenteau (2) – still seeks elusive singles victory #1 in 2024, would face Zoey Wang (10) in the quarters (lost to Wang in Va Beach).
- WATCH OUT FOR: Brooke Buckner (4) – played a riveting final in Virginia Beach (losing in 3) against ALW and has 3 wins on the season.
MEN’S SINGLES:
- Defending medalists: Ben Johns, Aanik Lohani, JW Johnson
- Hunter Johnson (9) has made back-to-back finals – could face a tough round of 16 vs. Quang Duong (6).
- Federico Staksrud (1) looking to return to the top of the podium after not medaling in Va Beach.
- WATCH OUT FOR: Aanik Lohani (11) – defending silver medalist looking to find another big run in Vegas.
MIXED DOUBLES:
- Defending medalists: Waters/Johns, Bright/Ignatowich, David/Wilson
- Waters/Johns won their 40th title in Va Beach and have just a single loss on the year (Bright/Daescu in Austin final).
- Ignatowich/Parenteau (4) won their only prior event together – the 2023 PPA Indoors in Minnesota.
- WATCH OUT FOR: Bright/Patriquin (3) – will the St. Louis Shock MLP teammates shock the draw and win the title?
WOMEN’S DOUBLES:
- Defending medalists: Waters/Parenteau, Smith/Kovalova, Jones/Wright
- Emphatic win in Virginia Beach for Waters/Parenteau (1) over Bright/Rohrabacher (2), running their overall record to 117-2.
- Wright/Dizon (3) – had to scratch in Va Beach due to an Etta Wright injury, will they be fit for a big result in Vegas?
- WATCH OUT FOR: Black and Jones (6) — defense and entertainment value for days, but they are in the ALW/CP quarterfinal section of the draw.
MEN’S DOUBLES:
- Defending medalists: Johns/Johns, Johnson/Frazier, Tellez/Staksrud
- Alshon and Va Beach winner Patriquin (6) could beat anyone and take the title.
- Fun partners alert: Bar/Tellez (4) 1st time, Ignatowich/Daescu (8) 2nd tourney – 4th place in Bristol, Arnold/Ge (10) 1st time
- WATCH OUT FOR: Newman/Tardio (7) – second tourney, finished 4th in Sacramento, with a win over B. Johns/Ignatowich.