Imani Phillips takes her next step on the road to becoming a professional pickleball player when she competes in the Veolia Milwaukee Open this week.

Phillips, who has been training at the Naples Pickleball Centre and other facilities in Florida since representing Bermuda at the World Cup in Peru last month, is expecting tough competition in the singles and mixed doubles at the tournament, which runs from Thursday to Sunday.

“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,” Phillips said.

“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.

“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.

“My goal with the 5.0 is to compete at the standard that I want to play at. This is the highest level that I’ve competed at and I just want to feel what it’s like, give my best and be out there with the professionals.”

The 22-year-old has been in the US since November 1, heading straight there after the World Cup, but she is returning to Bermuda next week for the National Pickleball Championships, which take place at the WER Joell Tennis Stadium from Monday to Friday.

While on island, Phillips is eager to share what she has learnt with the youngsters she coaches at Manders Tennis Management.

“Coming to Naples for training and meeting coaches was the next step,’’ she said.

“I’ve met two coaches now so I’m starting to create a team around me. I think going to Milwaukee is another step in the direction towards turning pro.

“After that, I’m coming home for the nationals and from there I’m heading back to the US for training again.

“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.”

The aspiring professional has also had time to reflect on her World Cup experience. She won two medals in the warm-up tournament before reaching the round of 16 with the open team, who were eliminated by Cayman Islands.

“I didn’t surprise myself at the World Cup, but I displayed that I can deliver under pressure,” Phillips added.

“I was happy with my performance all the way through. The loss to Taiwan was hard for me because I didn’t play as well as I did three days prior. When we made it to the round of 16 against Cayman Islands, it was really amazing. We were one of the smallest nations there playing against the big guys and losing on a dream-breaker was just epic.”