Storylines for the Veolia Austin Open powered by Invited

OVERALL TOP 5:

• 100 CROWNS: Anna Leigh Waters is a triple crown away from 100 PPA Tour titles. 
• HERE COMES THE CAVALRY: Waters, Ben Johns, Etta Wright, Meghan Dizon, JW & Jorja Johnson, Dylan Frazier, and others return to action.
• HOME COOKIN’: Many pros call the Austin area home – will that be an advantage?  
• BIG POPPA ANDREI: Andrei Daescu steps in for the injured Ignatowich to play with Wright and Bright.  
• DOUBLE GOLD STANDARD: Can Thomas Wilson build on a marvelous performance in Minnesota?

VENUE/TOURNEY/TV:

• Event #5 of the year – one of 15 Opens in 2024, with 1000 points up for grabs for the winners. 
• Traditional draw (playing singles Thursday, mixed Friday, gender Saturday, Finals Sunday).
• Coverage on PickleballTV, FS2 on Friday and Saturday from 6-8 Eastern, and FS1 tape Sunday from 9:30-11:30pm Eastern which will be a replay of Championship Sunday match(es).
• Broadcast start times are Thursday at 10am Eastern and Fri-Sun at noon Eastern. 

WOMEN’S SINGLES:

• Defending medalists: Anna Leigh Waters, Catherine Parenteau, Allyce Jones
• Local favorite Lina Padegimaite (6) looks to build on her semifinal run in Minnesota. 
• Genie Bouchard (29) returns, seeking her first match win on the PPA Tour. 
• WATCH OUT FOR: Anna Leigh Waters (1) – can she keep her undefeated singles run in 2024 going?

MEN’S SINGLES:

• Defending medalists: Ben Johns, Federico Staksrud, Christian Alshon
• Dylan Frazier (8), the Masters singles Champion is back in the singles draw. 
• Christian Alshon (4) brimming with confidence after grabbing bronze in Minnesota. 
• WATCH OUT FOR: Federico Staksrud (2) – 4 for 4 in making the singles final in ’24 on the PPA Tour, notching two titles.

MIXED DOUBLES:

• Defending medalists: Waters/Johns, Bright/Ignatowich, Johnson/Johnson
• David/Wilson (2) – fan favorites bring Minnesota gold back to the Lone Star State.
• Jansen/Patriquin (10) were terrific in Minnesota and back together in Texas.
• Fun partnerships to watch: Etta Wright/Loong (18), Mary Brascia/Martinez Vich (20), Jackie Kawamoto/Pat Smith (17), Buckner/Shick (26), and Rettenmaier/Christian (19).
• WATCH OUT FOR: Waters/Johns (1) – since March of ’23, they have won every tournament they entered. 

WOMEN’S DOUBLES:

• Defending medalists: Bright/Waters, David/Dizon, Johnson/Parenteau
• Kovalova and Jackie Kawamoto (4) – what will this new team achieve?
• Rohrabacher and Bright (3) won Minnesota – could run into the superb Wright/Dizon (2) in the semis. 
• Lindsey Newman is back, paired with Lea Jansen as the 9 seed. 
• WATCH OUT FOR: Waters/Parenteau (1) – can they keep their undefeated streak alive?

MEN’S DOUBLES:

• Defending medalists: Johns/Johns, Newman/Wright, Johnson/Frazier
• Minnesota winners Wilson and Alshon split up in Texas: Wilson with Hunter Johnson (10) and Alshon with Navratil (9)
• Doc and Sock – Collin Shick and Jack Sock back together as the 19 seed. 
• WATCH OUT FOR: Rettenmaier and Ge (11) – righty/lefty combo could be deadly.