Pickleball Magazine 2019 USA National Championships | Page 44

At this year’s Nationals, Philippe and other participants
delighted the crowd with their shot-making abilities and
tireless movement on their wheelchairs. Joining Philippe
on the court were JF Sylvestre, Todd Hanover and Sergio
Naduville.
“It was simply spectacular.
The crowds at this year’s
Nationals, the reception we
received, and the overall
quality of play was more than
I could have hoped for,” says
Philippe. “It has really set
the stage for next year and
I couldn’t be more excited
for 2020!”
He adds, “Having played
10 years of professional
wheelchair tennis and
traveling 20 weeks a year to
qualify for Paralympics, I was
due for something different, and pickleball was it. What I
enjoy most about the sport is the new role I have—using
my tennis experience to develop Para Pickleball to make
it the best para sport possible. I’m rewriting the rule book
to make it accessible and easy for everyone to play.
I’m heavily promoting our sport in Canada and USA by
staging exhibitions, introducing pickleball to so many who
have never seen it played before.”
Philippe and his compatriots got their first taste of a
major introduction at the 2019 US Open, played annually
in Naples, Florida. “Being on Center Court with world-
class professionals like Simone Jardim and Catherine
Parenteau was absolutely fantastic,” he notes. “It’s special
to be included in the same
major tournament as the
pros, a first in para sports.”
Every pickleball event
Philippe has been associated
with has resonated with
him in such a positive way
that he knows he’s on the
right path in his endeavors.
“The crowds at Indian
Wells this year were simply
amazing. I couldn’t have
asked for a better reception
for our players,” he says.
“It is my hope that one day
wheelchair pickleball will develop and eventually expand
globally and become part of the official Olympic roster of
sports. What we have realized just in the past few years
has not only been encouraging, but has provided us with
enough inspiration and perseverance to move forward
with added energy. I couldn’t be more enthused for our
sport’s future.” •
“It’s such a privilege to be at the
same event as standing people;
no other wheelchair sport
has that. It clearly shows that
pickleball is such a welcoming
and accessible sport, and better
yet, it has an amazing vibe.”
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