Winning medals in their respective tournaments in the United States has fired up Gavin Manders and Imani Phillips ahead of this week’s inaugural Bermuda National Pickleball Championships.

Phillips secured silver in the women’s singles 4.0 at the Pro Pickleball Association Veolia Milwaukee Open, where she fought hard but was edged out 2-1 by J’Ana Diamond in the final.

Manders teamed up with compatriot Benjamin Jones to claim bronze in the men’s doubles 5.0 division at the Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships in Mesa, Arizona.

The 22-year-old Phillips, who is on the path to becoming a professional, won five matches and suffered only two losses. She also competed in the mixed doubles with partner Brian Bonilla, where they reached the round of 16.

“I was disappointed to lose in the final,” the aspiring professional told The Royal Gazette. “I won the first game, then there was a massive energy switch, and she took me out in the next two.

“I expected to make it as far as I did because my adrenaline is always high when I’m playing in tournaments.

“In the mixed doubles, Brian and I made it to the round of 32. From there, we went into the back draw, where we won five matches before being knocked out in the round of 16.

“It was an amazing experience because that was 5.0 mixed doubles. In the next tournament, I’ll be competing in the 5.0 division. I didn’t play women’s doubles in this tournament as I needed a rest day before coming to Bermuda.”

Demonstrating her devotion to the sport, Phillips was on the courts at the WER Joell Tennis Stadium for her singles matches just hours after arriving from the US. She won all four matches to secure a place in the final, where she will face Melisa Judd on Friday.

The aspiring professional is also competing in the women’s doubles with Sue Chiappa and in the mixed doubles with Matt Dragonetti.

Manders and Jones clinched bronze after defeating Brandon Smith and Fabian Jacobo 11-4, 9-11, 11-7 in the medal match. The pair, who had a bye in the round of 16, beat the father-and-son duo Bruce and Caleb Young 2-0 in the quarter-finals.

In the semi-finals, the Bermudians fell 11-6, 11-6 to brothers Ben and Matt Herrick, the eventual winners of the division.

“Competing in the 5.0 division, I partnered with Benjamin Jones, who has been my student for over ten years,” Manders said.

“It was an incredible journey to mentor him over the years and now compete side by side against some of the best pickleball players in the United States. Together, we gave it our all and brought home a bronze medal for Bermuda.

“The level of play and competition was inspiring, and the experience of competing against the best was truly invaluable.

“Beyond the results, this trip gave me priceless knowledge to bring back and share with Bermuda’s growing pickleball community. It reaffirmed my passion for building pathways and opportunities for the next generation of players.

“Pickleball is more than a game – it’s a global movement, and I’m excited to be part of shaping Bermuda’s role in it.

“This success shows the doors this sport can open. I’m looking forward to using this experience to foster growth, development, and inspiration within our community.”

While Jones remained in the US for his studies, Manders returned home on Monday. Like Phillips, the former Davis Cup player competed in the men’s singles, winning all his matches to set up a final against Tariq Simons on Friday.

Manders is also partnering with Michael Way in the men’s doubles, while Judd is his partner for the mixed doubles.

The first-ever national championships will conclude on Friday night, with all finals taking place under floodlights.