STORYLINES FOR THE RATE CHAMPIONSHIPS presented by Skechers

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.