Tennis star Phillips lives the Wimbledon dream

As the best ladies’ player at West Worthing Club, the 18-year-old was selected to play in the doubles matches.

“All tennis players want to play at Wimbledon.” Phillips said. “I’ve been really lucky this year as I’ve now played at the two venues I really wanted to play at, Eastbourne and Wimbledon.”

Phillips travelled to SW19 with her West Worthing team and paired up with 19-year-old Chris Lawson. Having not partnered each other in doubles before, the Felpham teens began with a disadvantage.

The event had a round robin format and the duo’s opponents were The All England Club, Tunbridge Wells LTC and Oxford LTC.

Phillips and Lawson got off to a tremendous start, beating North Oxford 6-0. After losing 6-4 to Tunbridge Wells, they beat The All England Club 6-3.

As no one team went undefeated, the winners were decided on the team who won the most games, thus awarding the Felpham duo a narrow victory.

Meanwhile at Sutton, Phillips clinched three wins in as many matches, against 3.1-rated players in the matchplay event. However, because of recent changes to LTA rating rules, the wins do not count towards Phillips’ rating wins or ranking points.

Nottinghamshire’s Livvy Tomkins was the first challenger. The match lasted just under three hours and was nail-biting from start to finish. Phillips clinched the first set 7-6, securing the tie-break 7-5. However, Tomkins won the second set 7-5. After a close ten-point tie-break, Phillips come through on top, winning 10-6.

“The intensity of a match has to remain high whether it lasts an hour or three hours.” Phillips said. “Unlike some sports, there is no set time period that a match will last so you have to be prepared for all eventualities.”

Next up, Northumberland’s Ceara Howey. Phillips got off to a commanding start against the 25-year-old, clinching and keeping the lead to win 6-1, 6-1.

Nottingham’s Rebecca Wood, who won a scholarship to North Carolina Central University, was Phillips’ next opponent. Phillips had to fight hard against the 22 year old, but edged ahead to win 6-4, 6-1.

For further details of Phillips’ progress or if you would like some coaching, see www.lisaphillips.co.uk

TOM ACKERMAN

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