Imani Phillips Pickleball Training: Bermuda’s top female pickleball player, Imani Phillips, will soon train with Lee Whitwell, the world’s No. 1 senior women’s professional player. Phillips plans to travel to Orlando early next month to work with Whitwell and further develop her skills in the fast-growing sport.
A Promising Partnership Begins
Phillips and Whitwell met in March when the Florida-based pro visited Bermuda. Since then, they have been working on plans to team up and improve Phillips’ game as she aims to break into the pro circuit.
“During the short time I met with Lee Whitwell, we connected and understood each other.” -(Imani Phillips)
“Her communication was incredible and I know that I’ll learn so much from her. I think she’ll only improve my game because it’s improved so much already and when I spend time with coaches, it just takes it to a whole new level.”-(Phillips)
Training to Take the Next Step
Phillips believes that working with Whitwell will enhance her movement and footwork specific to pickleball.
“Working with Lee will develop my footwork and mobility on the court as a pickleball player, instead of being adjusted and adapted from my movement as a tennis player.”-(Phillips)
“I’m always relearning tennis to pickleball. She was a professional tennis player as well, she played pro doubles on tour, so she understands my history and can explain things to me in a way that I can easily grasp.
If this was basketball, she would be Michael Jordan, that’s how good she is. She doesn’t even play tournaments any more because her students play in those tournaments, so it’s not fair for her to play.”-(Phillips)
A Rising Star with Big Goals
Phillips, 23, has already seen success. She won the mixed doubles title with Carlos Rodriguez at the APP tournament in the Cayman Islands in March.
“My biggest goal this year is to win a pro tournament.”-(Phillips)
“I’m just going to keep on doing what I’m doing. I’ll keep on playing tournaments that make sense, meet people and keep getting results.”-(Phillips)
“I’ve been so blessed to receive the results I’ve received. Every tournament, I’m just taking a step closer and I’m improving more.”-(Phillips)
“I’m trying to come to a point where I can be so regimented in training, where I can repeatedly practice hitting the same shot.”-(Phillips)
“Right now, I’m training, refocusing, working on my mobility. That’s what I always do after every tournament, I get my body back up and then prepare for the next one.”-(Phillips)
What This Means for Phillips’ Future
This new opportunity with Whitwell could be a turning point in Phillips’ journey. With strong coaching, recent wins, and a clear focus, she continues to build momentum toward her goal of becoming a top professional player.
News in Brief: Imani Phillips Pickleball Training
Bermuda’s Imani Phillips will train with Lee Whitwell, the world’s No. 1 senior women’s pickleball pro, in Orlando next month. After connecting in March, the two plan to work together to boost Phillips’ skills as she aims for her first pro tournament win following a recent doubles title in the Cayman Islands.
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