STORYLINES FOR THE VEOLIA LAKELAND OPEN PRESENTED BY SIX ZERO

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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