From Wimbledon to World Championships: The Journey of Phil Pratt

Phil Pratt, the captain of Great Britain’s wheelchair basketball team, may be gearing up for the Paralympics in Paris later this year, but his sporting journey could have taken a very different path. The 30-year-old athlete from Cardiff had a promising start in wheelchair tennis, even reaching second or third in the world for U18s. However, despite his talent, Phil found that he didn’t enjoy the individual nature of the sport.

“I didn’t enjoy it, really. You’re on your own with your coach and you’re doing the same limited number of drills,” Phil recalls. “I think you have to really enjoy a sport to give it everything and I just found I got a lot more out of wheelchair basketball, which I was doing then as a side hobby.”

It didn’t take long for wheelchair basketball to become Phil’s main focus. He was drawn to the variety and team aspect of the sport, which reminded him of his love for football. Phil found fulfillment in not only pushing himself to be the best player he could be, but also in working with his teammates and coach to achieve success on the court.

As Phil prepares to represent Great Britain once again on the international stage, his journey serves as a reminder of the importance of finding joy and fulfillment in the sports we pursue. While his path may have diverged from the grass courts of Wimbledon, Phil’s passion for wheelchair basketball has led him to achieve great success and make a lasting impact in the world of adaptive sports.