OVERALL TOP 5:
- NATIONAL PICKLEBALL DAY (8/8): It’s pickleball’s day, so fans should play, watch, and celebrate for all 1,440 minutes.
- EYE OF THE TIGER: Dylan Frazier, the Missouri Tiger, playing a “home” tourney as the #1 men’s doubles seed.
- THROWN OUT AT 3RD – Johns and Waters swept all 3 events in 2023, but are not playing singles this year, so no chance to defend their double triples.
- JADED: Jade Kawamoto won two bronze medals at KC in ‘23 – can she double podium again?
- OPEN SESAME: This event is an Open with 1000 points going to the winners.
VENUE/TOURNEY/TV:
- Event #14 of the year – second consecutive year in KC.
- Broadcast start times are 11am Central Thursday through Sunday.
- National window: Sunday on ESPN2 from 4-6pm Eastern time.
- Full coverage on Pickleball TV (Prime Video, Roku, Samsung TV Plus, LG, and many more).
WOMEN’S SINGLES:
- Defending medalists: Waters, Parenteau, Johnson
- Is this the week top seeded Parenteau grabs her first title of 2024?
- Jorja Johnson (8) is playing inspired pickleball – could a deep singles run be next?
- 2024 Champions Buckner (3) and Castillo (6) could meet in the quarters.
- WATCH OUT FOR: Lea Jansen (2), unretired and winning titles this year, could garner local fan support in her coach Mike Wolf’s backyard.
MEN’S SINGLES:
- Defending medalists: Johns, McGuffin, Staksrud
- Staksrud (1) is an astounding 5,400 points ahead of Ben Johns in the 2024 race to the Finals.
- “Hometown” hero and noted Chiefs fan Jack Sock (7) will be putting on a show in a quest for gold.
- Gabe vs. Gabe possible in round 2 – Joseph (11) vs. Tardio (22)
- WATCH OUT FOR: Chris Haworth (9) – beat Staksrud for gold at the last Carvana PPA Tour stop in San Clemente.
MIXED DOUBLES:
- Defending medalists: Waters/Johns, Irvine/Newman, Jade Kawamoto/Rettenmaier
- Talented duo Alshon and Etta Wright (6) are in the ALW/Ben Johns quarter.
- Hustlin’ partners Sock and Jansen (10) will be a tough out.
- Field is so deep – H. Johnson and Todd are a highly skilled 25 seed.
- WATCH OUT FOR: Parenteau/Staksrud (4) – 1st tourney together and so much potential.
WOMEN’S DOUBLES:
- Defending medalists: Parenteau/Waters, Bright/Dizon, Jade Kawamoto/Koop
- Jackie Kawamoto/Kovalova (4) – tournament #3 for them, reached quarters and semis in first two.
- Bouchard/Sleeth (19) vs. Christian/Emmrich (15) in round 1 is a big battle of tennis backgrounds.
- Irvine and Koop (8) – oops, were getting reps for MLP but Koop was traded to Columbus.
- WATCH OUT FOR: Dizon/Wright (2) – is this the week they return to Sunday?
MEN’S DOUBLES:
- Defending medalists: B. Johns/Wright (C. Johns was injured), Frazier/Johnson, Ignatowich/McGuffin
- Frazier and Johnson take over the top seed and have won 4 of the last 5 tourneys.
- Johns brothers (2) have not won since April and lost multiple MLP matches since San Clemente.
- Daescu back from suspension, playing with Matt Wright (5) – they won Austin in March.
- WATCH OUT FOR: Patriquin/Alshon (6) – Big H keeps getting to Sunday. Can he get there in 3 consecutive tournaments with 3 different partners?
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