STORYLINES FOR THE RATE CHAMPIONSHIPS presented by Skechers

OVERALL TOP 5:

• HOW DOES THIS RATE?: 2^ND stop in Vegas in 2024, 1^st 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 40^th 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) 1^st time, Ignatowich/Daescu (8) 2^nd tourney – 4^th place in Bristol, Arnold/Ge (10) 1^st time
• WATCH OUT FOR: Newman/Tardio (7) – second tourney, finished 4^th in Sacramento, with a win over B. Johns/Ignatowich.