Battle for the CIBC PPA Tour Finals: With the Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships now behind them, players have one final opportunity to earn points and secure a coveted spot in the CIBC PPA Tour Finals in San Clemente, California, from December 4-8. The stakes couldn’t be higher, as only those with the most ranking points in each event of 2024 will qualify for the finals. This week’s Veolia Milwaukee Open presented by Miller Lite represents a critical chance for players teetering on the edge of qualification to make their move.
A Crucial Event for Contenders
The Veolia Milwaukee Open is set to offer 1,000 points in each event, making it a pivotal moment for those still in contention.
As the tournament continues, all eyes are on the mixed doubles competition, where the men’s rankings are heating up with only a few players standing between their current spots and the finals.
Mixed Doubles (Men) – A Tight Race
Riley Newman, who is teaming up with Jackie Kawamoto this week, currently holds the 8th spot in the men’s mixed doubles rankings with 4,250 points. However, Tyson McGuffin and Hayden Patriquin are hot on his heels, hoping for any slip-up that could elevate them into the top eight.
While McGuffin will not be competing this week, Patriquin, with 4,050 points, has a legitimate shot at overtaking Newman for the final spot. Patriquin, partnering with Hurricane Tyra Black, needs a strong run in Milwaukee—at least a semifinal finish—to remain in competition. For a breakthrough, he’ll also need Newman and Kawamoto to exit early, possibly even setting up an intense quarterfinal clash that could have major implications for who moves on to San Clemente.
| Rank | Player | Points |
| 1 | Ben Johns | 22,500 |
| 2 | JW Johnson | 10,400 |
| 3 | Christian Alshon | 9,150 |
| 4 | James Ignatowich | 8,450 |
| 5 | Thomas Wilson | 7,600 |
| 6 | Federico Staksrud | 6,250 |
| 7 | Dekel Bar | 5,750 |
| 8 | Riley Newman | 4,250 |
| 9 | Tyson McGuffin | 4,200 |
| 10 | Hayden Patriquin | 4,050 |
| 11 | Gabe Tardio | 3,587.5 |
| 12 | Andrei Daescu | 3,250 |
| 13 | Jack Sock | 2,800 |
| 14 | Jaume Martinez Vich | 2,725 |
| 15 | Pablo Tellez | 2,425 |
| 16 | Dylan Frazier | 2,375 |
The Potential for a Last-Minute Shakeup
Adding intrigue to the mix is Gabe Tardio, who competes with Jessie Irvine. Tardio, Patriquin’s teammate on the St. Louis Shock, has an outside chance to leapfrog into the final qualification spot, should he manage to secure a gold medal in Milwaukee.
The dynamic within the men’s mixed doubles field is intensifying, with every match counting toward who makes the final push to the 2024 CIBC PPA Tour Finals.
News in Brief: Battle for the CIBC PPA Tour Finals
With the Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships over, the focus shifts to the Veolia Milwaukee Open where 1,000 points are up for grabs in each event. The race for qualification for the CIBC PPA Tour Finals in San Clemente is tight, especially in men’s mixed doubles.
Riley Newman holds the 8th spot, but Hayden Patriquin and Gabe Tardio are in pursuit, each needing strong performances this week to secure a place in the finals.