After an epic time at PPA World Championships, the Tour marches on with a stop in Milwaukee- an indoor tournament hosted at the Baird Center. As we discussed in the pod Wednesday, the flooring will be provided by the same company that did the Utah Open, but the material will be different. Here’s hoping there’s fewer wrinkles and bumps than we saw in Utah.

This event is the last “regular season” event of 2024 (excluding Finals which requires players to qualify, and Daytona Beach which is in December but starts the 2025 season). Since most players’ position in The Race are solidified for a spot in finals, many of the big names are sitting this one out: Ben, Anna Leigh, Catherine Parenteau, JW, Jorja, Connor Garnett, Tyson McGuffin.

Here are storylines we’re watching:

• Return of the Kawamotos (Jimmy’s faves!): Jade and Jackie will be playing women’s doubles together for the first time since Mesa in February. Together, they have the 5 seed and should cruise to quarters where they would likely play Tina & Lea. In mixed, Jade plays with Zane and Jackie is partnering with Riley. Should they both win, they’ll go head-to-head in R16.

• Looking Bright: With no Ben, ALW, or Catherine, Anna Bright takes the top seed in women’s doubles (alongside Rachel Rohrabacher, as usual) and in mixed (partnering with Dylan Frazier). She’s already solidly in for the finals, so she’s just looking to secure some hardware. But get this: Anna Bright is playing singles. We almost never see that, and frankly, we’re excited to see how she does with the hot streak she’s been on in doubles. At 19th seed, she opens with a matchup against Genie. Anna, come on the pod and tell us all about it. Jimmy isn’t mad, he’s just jealous. Please?

• That “other” Vulcan pro: Jay Devilliers is back after having knee surgery last month, but is understandably missing singles, to ease his way back into competition. He partners with Liz Truluck in mixed and Yates Johnson in men’s.

• So you’re saying there’s a chance?: If Tyler and Noe Khlif win gold in Milwaukee, Tyler will have enough points to sneak into the finals. Hey, anything’s possible.

• The Race is on: Several players sit on the cusp of making Finals in San Clemente next month, and this tournament is their last shot to make it. [Read here for more about how The Race and finals qualifications works] 

  • Men’s Singles: There will be no impact here, as current seeds 7-12 are all missing Milwaukee. So the finals will be Fed, Ben, CG, QD, Hunter, Dylan, Jaume, and Tyson.

  • Men’s Doubles: Top 16 individuals are taken here to make 8 teams; Thomas Wilson precariously holds the 16th spot with Ignatowich 300 points behind. James plays this weekend with CJ Klinger, who has been on fire lately. They’ll at least need to get to the bronze medal match for James to have enough points to surpass Thomas. Then again, he could get in on a “lucky loser” pass regardless, if Thomas doesn’t return from his long-term illness-slash-injury.

  • Women’s Singles: The only competition here is between Parris Todd and Mary Brascia; Mary is 325 points behind Parris (a semifinal appearance would earn her 400). Mary has a mighty favorable draw to the semis, but she’ll need to look out for Zoey Wang. Parris, on the other hand, has to get through #1 seed Lea Jansen to get to semis. If she does, then Mary will need to win at least silver to pass Parris. It’s a lot of math, but the point is: it’s pretty close and will be a fun event to watch.

  • Women’s Doubles: The top 16 are pretty solid here, but both Jackie and Jade (17 and 18, respectively) have a chance to wedge their way into finals, unseating #16 Vivienne David. Second place would get them both in (Vivienne is not playing this event), but it’s a road paved with tough competition.

  • Mixed Doubles: Top 8 men and Top 8 women make it to finals. On the men’s side, we’re going to guess #5 Thomas Wilson will be a scratch, so the cutoff sits at the 9th spot, held by Tyson McGuffin with 4050 points. Hayden is only 200 points behind #8 Riley, and with both playing this weekend, they could be duking it out for the last spot. If Big H can at least get to quarters, he’ll lock up his spot, bypassing Tyson. Gabe Tardio is back there in 11th, but don’t count him out just yet. He and Jessie are 3-seed this event and have won gold in the not-so-distant past. He could conceivably jump the ranks with a deep run in Milwaukee. On the women’s side, it’s a longshot, but Jessie could still make it. She’s currently in 9th place and 750 points behind #8 Rachel. Rachel has MLP teammate Big Poppa Jimmy at her side, and a semifinal run would keep the last spot out of Jessie’s hands - even if Jessie got a gold with Tardio. So yeah, the stars would really have to align for any rank changes on the women’s half of the race.

  • See full rankings for The Race here

Where to Watch

This time around, both CC and Grandstand courts will be on PBTV, now that UPA is pushing all viewership to the app (which will have all matches available and on demand - and rewind-able, we hear!). However, Grandstand and Showcase 1 are still listed as available on YouTube, so catch it there while you can.

Coming to Milwaukee? Use code KOTC for discounted tickets!

BONUS - our first live-recorded episode from Worlds, with Big Pickle himself: Connor Pardoe

Special Offer

Stack’s early access Black Friday sale is on now through Sunday. You’ll get 30-60% off with code KOTC!

This includes new fall styles, the “Thanks for the Courts” hoodies that sold like crazy at Worlds, plus everything Best Dressed Michael Loyd was wearing last weekend.

Many items will sell out the following week when the sale goes public, so don’t delay! Use code KOTC at checkout.