STORYLINES FOR THE VEOLIA LAKELAND OPEN PRESENTED BY SIX ZERO

OVERALL TOP 5: 

• 101: The next hundred tournaments starts in Lakeland. 
• QUADRUPLE TRIPLE: Can Anna Leigh Waters win her 4^th triple crown in a row?
• ABCDEFGIJKL: What’s missing? H. Patriquin is taking time off after winning Worlds.
• HUNTED/HUNTER: Hunter Johnson falls back to spot #2 in the singles rankings – how will he fare?
• OPEN IT UP: 1000 points to the winners. 

VENUE/TOURNEY/TV:

• Tourney #19 on the campaign – playing at the Beerman Family Tennis Center which is 45 minutes from Walt Disney World to the east and 49 minutes to Busch Gardens to the west. 
• Over 800 players participating across all divisions. 
• Semi-Final Saturday Open Format: singles Wednesday, mixed Thursday, men’s/women’s doubles Friday – all through the quarters, Semifinal Saturday, and Championship Sunday.  
• PickleballTV (and the app) will have the coverage, starting at 11am Eastern on Wednesday-Friday, 10am Eastern Saturday and Sunday. Tennis Channel coverage 12-4 Eastern Saturday. 
• No defending medalists. 

WOMEN’S SINGLES:

• Will Waters’ undefeated 2025 campaign continue in her home state?
• Devidze (15), the last player to beat Waters in May ’24, could face her again in the R16. 
• Kaitlyn Christian will not get another shot at Waters after their classic Worlds battle as she is not in the draw. 
• Watch out for: Kate Fahey. She has solidified herself at the #2 spot and pushed Waters in the Worlds final – could face Jansen (5) in the quarterfinals.   

MEN’S SINGLES:

• Staksrud (1) is back on top after winning Worlds – can he stay there? 
• Ben Johns has slipped to the 8 seed and would face Staksrud in the quarters if seeds hold. 
• Must see R16 potential matchup: Sock (7) vs. Florida resident Goins (9). 
• Watch out for: Chris Haworth (6) – has climbed from 57^th to the 6^th seed in short order and played well at Worlds before falling to Staksrud in the final.

MIXED DOUBLES:

• Waters/Johns (1) have won 8 straight tourneys they have entered – will this be #9?
• Fun R32 matchup: Fahey/Frazier (10) vs. Devilliers/Jackie Kawamoto (17)
• Oncins and Bright (4) – pair up for the first time, looking to medal.  
• Biggest age discrepancy EVER in the PPA and thanks for the memories: Steve Deakin, 51 years of age, pairs with Elsie Hendershot (12 years old) in Deakin’s last ever pro tournament. 
• Watch out for: Black/Alshon (3) – neither player has won a gold in mixed on the Carvana PPA Tour.

WOMEN’S DOUBLES:

• They’re baaack. “Wonder twin powers activate” – Kawamotos (5) hit the court together for the first time since winning the Cincinnati Slam in September. 
• Waters and Bright (1) look to win 4 tourneys in a row. 
• Rachel Rohrabacher is paired with Jorja Johnson as the 3 seed – how healthy will she be after the injury she suffered in the semis at Worlds?
• Watch out for: Parenteau and Tuionetoa – playing together for the first time as the 4 seed.    

MEN’S DOUBLES:

• Johns/Tardio (1) missed getting to Championship Sunday for the first time ever at Worlds.  
• Right side Staksrud will have to wait to go back over there as he will most likely play left with McGuffin as a first-time partnership and the 4 seed. 
• JW Johnson/CJ Klinger (3) – made an impressive run to the Worlds final, including a win over Team Power Forward Daescu/Alshon (2).   
• Watch out for: Martinez Vich/Devilliers (6) – this showtime team could do serious damage in their debut together.