Imani Phillips is Conquering the Pickleball Court: Imani Phillips, the rising star from Bermuda, is set to make another significant leap in her quest to become a professional pickleball player at the Veolia Milwaukee Open. Having represented her country at the World Cup in Peru, Phillips has been sharpening her skills at the Naples Pickleball Centre in Florida.
“I’m playing in the PPA Veolia Milwaukee Open and the tournament starts on Thursday, and I’m scheduled to play on Friday and Sunday.” – (Imani Phillips)
This week, she competes in singles and mixed doubles at the tournament, where she faces stiffer competition. Moving up to the 4.0 singles division and entering the 5.0 mixed doubles level, Phillips is determined to gain more tournament experience before tackling a professional qualifier.
“In singles this is a division higher than when I played singles in Peru, which was 3.5, and now I’m playing 4.0. This is all about getting more comfortable playing in a tournament environment and I just wanted to have another singles tournament before I go for a pro qualifier.” – (Imani Phillips)
Training, Competition, and Growth: The Road to Professionalism
For Phillips, this tournament is more than just a chance to compete—it’s about refining her game at the highest level possible. Her mixed doubles partner, Brian Bonilla, is a promising player who has quit his job to pursue a professional career, making the stakes even higher. Phillips’ experience in the singles and mixed doubles divisions will serve as an invaluable stepping stone in her journey.
“For the mixed doubles, it’s my first time competing in a 5.0, which is the division right below pro. I’m playing with Brian Bonilla from Los Angeles, who has just quit his job to go pro himself.” – (Imani Phillips)
Upon returning to Bermuda for the National Pickleball Championships next week, Phillips plans to share her experience with the younger players she coaches, further contributing to the growth of the sport back home.
“I’m excited to come home and see all the young players I coach. I think it’s best for the growth of pickleball in Bermuda and MTM for me to be out here, learning and growing the way I’m doing.” – (Imani Phillips)
A Look Back at the World Cup Experience
Reflecting on her recent World Cup experience, Phillips is proud of her performance, especially in the warm-up tournament where she won two medals. Though her team was eliminated by the Cayman Islands in the round of 16, Phillips was pleased with her ability to handle pressure, noting that the loss in a “dream-breaker” match was a testament to her resilience.
“I didn’t surprise myself at the World Cup, but I displayed that I can deliver under pressure.” – (Imani Phillips)
News in Brief: Imani Phillips is Conquering the Pickleball Court
Imani Phillips’ journey toward becoming a professional pickleball player is filled with determination, growth, and a passion for competition and teaching. As she steps onto the court in Milwaukee this week, Phillips is not just preparing for a tournament—she’s laying the groundwork for what promises to be an exciting career in the sport. With each match and each lesson learned, she continues to climb the ladder toward the professional level.
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