Great Britain's No. 4 padel player, Lisa Phillips, has joined Smash Padel as an ambassador to enhance her game through detailed data analysis. She will work closely with academy manager Gordon Dunn and head of padel Miguel Caramalho. Phillips aims to climb into the world's top 100 rankings with this data-driven approach.
Lisa Phillips, ranked No. 4 in Great Britain and No. 136 worldwide, has partnered with Smash Padel in Bicester to deepen her understanding of the game through in-depth data and analysis. This collaboration, announced on March 4, 2026, will allow Phillips to benefit from the same rigorous match scrutiny that Dunn applies to the club's junior squads.
Dunn, the academy manager, is known for his unrivaled work in post-match data collection, tactical analysis, and strategy in British padel. He routinely reviews pupils' matches multiple times, evaluating shot effectiveness, combinations, court positions, and errors. Phillips, who will also serve as an ambassador and coach juniors—particularly girls—shared her enthusiasm: “Gordon is another level entirely. I’d never done analysis in this much detail before. How he sees the game is fascinating. Working with someone like him, using his brain to formulate patterns and plans in my matches is going to help tremendously. It’s very exciting.”
Smash Padel's junior academy features promising players such as Andrew Dunn (top 50 in Europe at U16), Lucy Bertram, Heidi Ellis, Ethan Holt, Elizabeth Vellacott, Rosie Allen, and Charlie Aldred. These juniors compete in FIP Promises events across Europe and LTA senior competitions, benefiting from individual development plans that incorporate feedback from children, parents, and coaches, along with video data on mental, physical, tactical, and technical progress.
Phillips will receive her own development plan and train weekly with Dunn and Caramalho on data-informed strategies for matches. She plans to travel two days a week from her base in Chichester, Sussex, to Bicester. Dunn emphasized the value of data: “I don’t think players use data enough. It will now be a constant factor in Lisa’s development... She needs to know what’s winning her the most points and equally why she’s losing them.” The analysis will extend to rest and recovery.
Caramalho expressed excitement: “It’s so exciting to have her on our team.” Phillips, who contributed to Great Britain’s victory over Sweden at last year’s FIP Euro Padel Cup Phase 2 in Madrid alongside Catherine Rose, highlighted data's honesty: “Data doesn’t lie... Sometimes you feel that a certain shot or tactic is working on court, but when you step back and see it from a different perspective, it’s clear it’s not.” She cited an example of a lob down the line that pressures partners, and noted the seamless transition from analysis to practice at Smash Padel. Previously, Phillips reviewed her own matches for wins and errors, but Dunn's method—watching a single match up to 20 times for specifics like first serves or chiquitas—takes it further.