U.S. Open Squash

The world’s most elite players will return to Philadelphia in 2013 to compete in one of the top international displays of professional squash talent, the U.S. Open Squash Championships.

 Official dates have been announced for the 2013 Delaware Investments U.S. Open Squash Championships, the premier event that forms part of the World Series tour for both the Professional Squash Association (PSA) and Women’s Squash Association (WSA).

The 2013 Delaware Investments U.S. Open Squash Championships will be held from October 9-18 and once again hosted at Drexel University.

Last year’s U.S. Open saw women’s world #1 Nicol David take home the women’s U.S. Open trophy – the first time she has won the U.S. Open title and the only world series trophy she needed to complete her collection.

Coming off court from a four game match against world #2 Raneem el Weleily, Nicol was thrilled with the win.

“I’m just so overwhelmed – I just won the U.S. Open! I can’t believe it,” she said.

2012 U.S. Open men’s champion Ramy Ashour echoed her sentiments.

“It’s so good to win such a big title, it means a lot to me,” he said.

“All the players are producing the best squash at this tournament, and it’s a great chance for squash fans around the world to watch some quality squash”.

The U.S. Open is a major international showcase of talent in the sport, bringing visitors from across the globe to Drexel University’s Daskalakis Athletic Center to view the competition between world’s best professional players.

“Drexel University works in close partnership with U.S. Squash to host the U.S. Open. They have excellent experience with hosting national and international events.

The Daskalakis Athletic Center is a world class venue which provides the best resources and facilities to present a global event of this size and prominence,” said Kevin Klipstein, CEO of U.S. Squash.

This will be the third consecutive year the prestigious tournament has been held at Philadelphia’s Drexel University.

The finals of the event are streamed live on Squash TV and broadcast by 18 distributors worldwide, reaching a potential audience of 300 million people worldwide.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2013 U.S. Open Squash Championships.  For more information email sponsorship@usopensquash.com.

During the 2012 event, the players created a highlight video of the U.S. Open and tribute to one of the host city's other famous resident athletes, Rocky Balboa...

 Nicol completes the set

The U.S. Open was the only major title that was missing from Nicol David’s trophy cabinet, but tonight in Philadelphia not only did she fill that particular gap, by gaining revenge for her home defeat in the Malaysian Open final by Raneem El Weleily, she set a new record of WSA titles, moving one ahead of Sarah Fitz-Gerald to 63.

Compared to yesterday’s semifinals this was a fast an furious match with El Weleily unafraid as ever to go for her shots and David, as well as trying to contain her opponent, at times joining in the shotmaking contest, more often than not to good effect.

After the Egyptian made the slightly better start the first game was evenly contested, David leading 9-6 but El Weleily firing in four winners to earn game ball. She would have three chances, but Nicol typicall took her first opportunity as an Egyptian dropshott found the tin for 14-12.

Raneem reduced the errors to lead all the way in the second, taking it 11-8, and at 4-0, 5-1 and 6-2 to the Egyptian in the third Nicol looked in trouble.

As she said last night though, she’s been there before, many many times, and a run of eight unanswered points took her to 10-6, then 11-6 on another Egyptian error.

The top seed held a slight advantage throughout the fourth, and from 8-6 two short volleys into the nick brought up match ball. A dropshot saw Raneem struggle to reach the ball, tripping over her opponent and she was just being assisted to her feet when the unsurprising, but nevertheless somewhet anticlimactic, “no let” decision came.

A first U.S. Open title, revenge for a home defeat, and a new record, not a bad night’s work even for Nicol!

“I can’t believe it,” said a delighted new champion, “I keep thinking I should still be out there running after Raneem’s dropshots like I’ve been doing all night!

“When she gets on a roll like she did in the third she can score six points before you’ve even moved off the ‘T’, but I just got my act together, became more positive and stronger on my shots, and played my game not hers, which is what Liz [Irving] had told me to do.

“It feels fantastic to be U.S. Open champion! Next I just hope we can get in the Olympics - if we do I’ll make sure I’m there, even if I have to turn up with my walking stick!”

Ramy races to title

There was a first time men’s winner too as Ramy Ashour continued his recent run of good results against Gregory Gaultier to beat the Frenchman in straight games in a match lasting two minutes less than the preceding women’s final.

For Gaultier it was almost like a role reversal from yesterday’s semifinal with James Willstrop. There, he had been in control and in the lead from the outset, yet today he was the one doing the chasing, on the court and the scoreboard.

Ashour, playing with the speed and control with which he finished his semi-final with Nick Matthew, was quickly 6-3 up in the opening game, and took it 11-4.

A 6-1 start to the second for the Egyptian, which Gaultier pegged back to 6-7 and then held it to 9-all, but Ashour found two winners to double his lead.

After an even start to the third Ashour raced away again, from 5-all to 9-5 in a flash, and although Gaultier again pulled back, on Ramy’s third match ball Greg’s volley found the tin and another new U.S. Open champion was crowned.

“I lost in this final three years ago so to win a prestigious title like this against such a great player as Greg feels just unbelievable,” said Ramy.

"I felt good on court tonight but I had to fight really hard to win.

“It’s been a great week, everyone here does a tremendous job and makes us all feel so welcome, so thanks to everyone involved and we’re all looking forward to next year already!”

King stuns Duncalt to qualify for semifinal

The first quarterfinal of the Delaware Investments U.S. Open at Philadelphia’s Drexel University produces a shock of seismic proportions as qualifier Joelle King put out third seed and former champion Jenny Duncalf in a seesaw five game thriller.

Duncalf, hitting the tin far too frequently for her own good, was in some ways fortunate to take a first game in which she didn’t play well, but the New Zealander took complete control in the next two games, adding her own driving winners and drops to Duncalf’s still too high error count.

Maybe nerves got to King in the fourth as she too made a few errors, but Duncalf seemed settle and it was her turn to take advantage.

The start of the decider was always likely to be crucial, and a 5-0 then 7-1 start for King proved enough.

Duncalf started playing some of her best squash, but the gap was too much to bridge, and on her second match ball King was through to the semis.

“There’s less pressure on you when you’re not the seeded players,” explained a delighted winner, “but I’ve been at this level for a while and been close to some big wins so the pressure was maybe from myself.

“In the first game I felt I was in control, but not in control, it was weird. But then I got ahead, she came back but I managed to close it out.

“I’m absolutely stoked to get through, it’s my first semifinal of a Gold event, let alone a World Series, I’m so so pleased!”

Nicol extracts the first bit of revenge

The second women’s quarterfinal offered the prospect of guaranteeing a qualifier in the final, but only if Alison Waters could repeat last week’s win over Nicol David, the dominant force in women’s squash for the last six years.

Not many people have ever beaten Nicol twice in a row, and tonight the Malaysian world number one and world champion was in no mood for a repeat setback.

It wasn’t a dominant performance, but Nicol was always a little bit faster to the ball, a little bit tighter, and apart from the third when Alison kept it level pegging all the way to 9-all, David was always a little bit ahead.

Waters led 9-8 in that third, but a series of great lengths from the Malaysian racket levelled it at 9-all, a dropshot off a loose volley gave her match ball, and Alison’s volley into the tin brought the end as the Englishwoman’s racket went flying in disgust.

That’s one aberration removed for Nicol, now she’ll be aiming to complete the run to the title to remove another.

“She was always going to be up for it having beaten me last week,” said a relieved and delighted winner.

"I knew I had to start strong and fight for every point to stop her getting the feeling she had it again.

“I think I got used to playing on the court a bit quicker than her, but in the third she was finding her length better and becoming more comfortable, it was neck and neck so I was really pleased to finish it in three.

“Hopefully this should kick start me for a big push in the rest of the tournament ...”

Willstrop wins a bruiser

For anyone to take a 10-0 lead at this level takes some doing, but that’s what top seed and world number one James Willstrop did tonight.

He had to wait until the fifth though to open up that commanding lead, having shared the first four games with young Egyptian Mohamed El Shorbagy in a tough, often brutal encounter lasting 90 minutes.

The Englishman started well enough, helped by a number of errors from Shorbagy, to take the first game, but Shorbagy stepped up the pace, cut down the errors, and for the next three games there was nothing to choose between them.

Into the decider then, and now Willstrop’s control and physical conditioning that has improved so much started to pay dividends.

At 10-0 Shorbagy finally found a dropshot to claim a bagel-saving point, raised his arms and cried “yes” to the delight of the crowd.

Four more points, all from crisp winners followed, and thoughts started to turn to the impossible comeback.

A loose shot resulting in a stroke put paidd to those hopes and a relieved and tired Willstrop was through to a fourth successive U.S. Open semifinal.

"I had a good first, but then he started playing at a really good place and I was failing to take the chances I gave myself at the front, I was a bit weak and tentative in that area ad that helped him," said Willstrop.

“I was pleased with the fifth, mentally and physically, but when he starts coming back hitting winners you just have to pay your game and not panic. If he’d made it you’d have to take your hat off to him, but it was unlikely.

“I’m pleased to get through a match like that, and the format of this tournament with split first round and quarters is best for the players, so I’ll be able to get a bit of recovery tomorrow.”

Greg finishes strongly

A few too many errors from third seed Gregory Gaultier, together with solid play from Karim Darwish, put the Egyptian fifth seed into the lead in the final match of the night.

The Frenchman found improved consistency from the outset of the second game and proceeded to dominate the rest of the match, showing determination when necessary as well as his renowned shotmaking skills.

Never behind in those final three games, it took a minute over the hour for him to set up a semi-final with James Willstrop, a repeat of their marvelous match in last month’s British Grand Prix.

“I struggled at the beginning,” admitted Gaultier.

“I had the wrong strategy, going to the front too soon and he dominated me.

"I changed my tactics completely at the start of the second, tried to push him to the back and take things on the volley as much as I could and it paid off.

“I’m happy to play James again, we had an unbelievable match in Manchester and I’m looking forward to trying to get my revenge.”

World #1 Nicol David was warmly welcomed to the local urban squash center SquashSmarts on Saturday afternoon.

Tim Wyant, Executive Director of the National Urban Squash and Education Association, which oversees urban programs for underprivileged and at-risk youth nationwide, said the visit from Nicol was thrilling for the players.

“She had their absolute attention.  She was just phenomenal, she’s really so thoughtful, and modest!”

The players are part of an elite urban squash squad that has come together in Philadelphia for a weekend of training from a number of urban programs across the United States.  The visit from Nicol coincides with her participation in the 2012 Delaware Investments U.S. Open, which is being held in Philadelphia at the same time.

“For us to be a part of this weekend, probably the biggest weekend in the year for squash, and for us to have the support of U.S. SQUASH and people like Nicol David is really special,” said Wyant.

This past summer, SquashSmarts also hosted First Lady Michelle Obama to promote her health and fitness youth initiative, Let’s Move!  It was a great honor for SquashSmarts to have been selected by Mrs. Obama and Philadelphia’s Mayor Michael Nutter.

Philadelphia is home to SquashSmarts, the nation’s third of twelve urban squash programs. Founded in 2001, the program gives the underserved youth of Philadelphia athletic and academic opportunities.

Combining squash training and tutoring, the program gives its 6^th to 12^th-grade participants a leg up in their scholastic and otherwise endeavors. Their mission is ‘to keep Philadelphia’s public school students in shape, in school, and on track for graduation’.

SquashSmarts operates out of both Drexel University’s Daskalakis Athletic Center and the Lenfest Center in North Philadelphia.

By Katherine Barnes

Article by Kristi Maroc

One of the biggest shake ups of the 2011 Delaware Investments U.S. Open was during the quarterfinals of the women’s event when sixth seed Kasey Brown, ranked #6 in the world at the time, beat the robust and long-standing world #1 Nicol David.

In what was one of the greatest wins in her career, Kasey outclassed the rarely beatable Nicol in a smooth four game match that lasted just under an hour, and then went on to beat third seed Madeline Perry to make it through to the U.S. Open final.

The super-fit 27 year old Aussie, who lives and trains in the United States, says that the experience was thrilling and has been one of the biggest highlights in her career so far.

“The 2011 U.S. Open was probably the best WSA tournament I’ve ever played to date,” she says.

“I don’t think anyone really expected me to win that match [against Nicol].  I had to play really well to beat her…and I think things just came together.”

“It was a huge match for me, and it was just a fantastic tournament overall.”

Kasey says her preparation and support in the lead up to the tournament was instrumental in her success at the event.

“It was really good.  I was training with my coach Rod Martin here in the States and he was able to come to the event as well which really helped me get through to that final.”

“The finals atmosphere at the U.S. Open is fantastic, and I really just took it all in and took it in my stride.  Unfortunately I lost the final against Laura Massaro, but it was a fantastic tournament overall.”

Kasey has been playing on the professional women’s tour for eight years now, since she was 19 years old, and has solidly climbed through the rankings to reach a career high of world #5 at the end of last year.

Kasey’s introduction to squash happened at a young age through her mum’s work at a local squash center as she was growing up in the Australian country town of Taree.

“I used to go there with her on the weekends and after school and just hit balls by myself for hours and hours and play games with myself while she was working.  It all really started from there.”

At 13 years old Kasey won the highly competitive Australian Junior Open and realized that becoming a professional squash player was a realistic goal for her future.

“At the time I won I thought ‘yeah I want to become world number one!’ and I think that has always been in my head.  It still is!” she smiles.

“It’s been a long term goal and hopefully I can get there one day.”

Boasting an athletic physique that screams fitness and strength, and the proven ability to beat the unshakable Nicol David, there’s no doubt that Kasey is in optimum shape and at the pinnacle of age and experience right now to do whatever she sets her mind to in her career.

Currently at world #8, she’s got a wealth of knowledge and experience behind her to achieve her ultimate dream.  She has competed solidly in a throng of eminent world tournaments and boasts an impressive list of career achievements, including winning the esteemed Greenwich Open last year.

Kasey has represented Australia at two Commonwealth Games, in 2006 and 2010.  In 2010 she was the only player to take home three medals in the mixed doubles, women’s doubles and singles.  Added to that was the prize of a career highlight win in the singles during a marathon match that saw Kasey fight back from two games down to beat England’s Madeline Perry, proving a life lesson to herself about her capability and endurance.  She also won a bronze medal with women’s doubles partner Donna Urquhart, and a gold medal alongside mixed doubles partner Cameron Pilley.

“To get a Commonwealth Games gold medal is such a huge honor and to win it with Cameron was just a fantastic experience.  To get all three was just a dream come true,” she says.

"It’s just a dream come true really to play for your country.  Especially with Australia having such a strong history in the sport.”

“Another highlight for me was winning the World Team Championships in 2010.  The Australian team beat England, and to win that title and win for Australia was a huge thing for me.”

“Having Michelle Martin as our coach and part of the team was great.  She was my idol growing up so to have her there was just fantastic.”

Growing the profile of women’s squash is important to Kasey.  She’d like to see it more closely aligned with the men’s tour in terms of popularity as well as prize money.

“With the U.S. Open, the gap [in prize money] is closing, which is fantastic for an event like that, and also great for women’s squash,” says Kasey.

“In terms of the appeal of women’s squash, I think the spectators relate a little bit more to the women's game and I think we need to use that to promote the WSA."

Women’s Squash Week is happening in the US next week (September 8-15), and Kasey says the goal of getting more women involved in squash is an important one.

“It’s such a great sport for women to play.  Not only does it keep you incredibly fit, but it’s a really social and fun way to mingle with other people.”

Along with her exceptional squash, Kasey has also become well known in the squash world for the eye-catching and glamorous dresses she wears on court, with their fun design making them a standout favorite in on-court fashion.

During her U.S. Open match against Nicol, Kasey was wearing one of the favorite designs – a black racer-back dress with lavish metallic embellishments.

“The reaction that I got from that dress has been just fantastic,” she says.

“A friend of mine and I, we really wanted to create a statement for squash through a bit of fashion, so we found a design and put some ideas together, and my friend’s mother made the dress up.

“We actually made a whole set in different colors, we have a pink and a blue one as well,” she adds.

The outfits have been popular amongst many squash fans.

“I’ve been coaching here at camp with Karen Kronemeyer, and these kids from Philadelphia have said ‘oh, you’re the girl with the dress!’, remembering it from when they were watching last year’s U.S. Open!  So I’ve had a really good reaction from it,” she says.

“I think it’s really important, for the girls especially, to show their personality through what they wear on court.  I think it’s a big part of the game, and hopefully others will follow suit.”

Rather than relaxing over the summer break, Kasey chose to spend her time training with her coach Rodney Martin, coaching at school camps, and mentoring at New York’s urban youth program CitySquash.

“I think it’s really important to give back, and CitySquash is a fantastic charity and so a great way to do so,” she says.

“I try to volunteer as much as I can for that program when I’m around.  I think they’re all just an amazing bunch of kids, and they really open up to you after a while and you see their personalities come out.  It’s a really beneficial program.”

Kasey has just returned from Australia where she competed in the Australian Open at the beginning of August.  Next up she’ll head over to the Malaysian Open, before returning to her home base in New York to prepare for another attempt to win the crown in what she lists as one of her favorite tournaments, the U.S. Open.

“It was such a fantastic event last year.  Drexel University had the glass court set up, on one day the SquashSmarts youth program from Philadelphia came out and watched which was fantastic,” she says.

“I thought that U.S. SQUASH did a great job with the event and I hope that things just become bigger and better each year.”

Article by Kristi Maroc

Player lists have been released for the 2012 Delaware Investments U.S. Open Squash Championships, revealing that all of the world's top ten men and women will be competing in this year's event!

With every major star in the squash world heading to Philadelphia to compete for the prestigious title, the U.S. Open is certain to conjure up an abundance of skillful and exhilarating squash battles among the best of the best.

The confirmed player list includes the world's greatest competitors such as skillful Englishman James Willstrop (#1), his compatriot Nick Matthew (#2), feisty Frenchman Gregory Gaultier (#3) and captivating Egyptian Ramy Ashour (#4), as well as last year's U.S. Open winner, Amr Shabana from Egypt (#6), who has also won four World Open titles in his lustrous career.

All will have a long and challenging road to make it through to the final deciding match and take home the grand prize on October 12, and with the bar set so high it's anyone's guess who the champion will be.

No one wanted to miss out on their shot at the U.S. Open title in the women's draw, with all ten of the world's top 10 ranked women showing up to compete for the crown.  The draw includes the powerful Nicol David (#1) from Malaysia who is yet to win a U.S. Open title in her astounding career history of 63 professional titles to date, as well as Egyptian sensation Raneem El Weleily (#2) who recently made a big jump into the top of the rankings, last year's defending champion from England Laura Massaro (#3), and athletic Aussie Kasey Brown (#8) who toppled Nicol David at last year's U.S. Open to make the final.

After an off season to prepare, and big prize money up for grabs, all players will be looking to bring their finest game to the center stage in October to progress through the challenging draws.

The U.S. Open forms part of the 2012 World Series for both the Professional Squash Association (PSA) and Women’s Squash Association (WSA), and offers $185,000 in combined prize money.

Article by Todd Harrity and Kristi Maroc

With the 2012 Delaware Investments U.S. Open Squash Championships creeping up, the world’s most elite Olympic-level athletes will be heading to Philadelphia to challenge each other for one of the most coveted prizes in the world of squash – the U.S. Open title.

As a World Series event, one of a select group of professional squash tournaments that are recognized as the pinnacle of the sport, the U.S. Open showcases the absolute best of the best.

The athletes are at the top of the game, having trained for their entire lives to excel at their chosen sport – a sport which is considered one of the toughest in the world according to an ESPN study, and the healthiest in the world according to a Forbes Magazine report.

To the wonder of many, and regardless of its appeal as an intense, challenging and gripping sport, squash has yet to secure a place on the Olympic program despite an enduring fight from representatives for many decades.  The sport was very close to getting into the 2016 Games – golf, rugby 7s, and squash were the three hot candidates for inclusion in Rio 2016 – however unfortunately squash just missed out.

The Olympics are considered to be the height of world sporting accomplishment, and given the opportunity the elite professional players contesting the upcoming U.S. Open would be playing in the Olympics right now.  And they deserve it, having trained intensely and devotedly for many years to be among the best athletes in the world.

But unfortunately for squash players the opportunity to showcase their talents in a competition that attains such prominent exposure, media coverage and unsurpassed worldwide recognition is not yet a reality.

“It is so heart-breaking when you know this sport has so much to offer and we have got everything it takes to be an Olympic sport,” says Nicol David, World #1 women’s squash player and six time World Open champion.

“It is probably the most all-round sport you can find. To be in the game and not see it in the Olympics is so sad.”

Now once again the squash community is stepping up the fight towards a bid for the 2020 Olympics.  The decision for sports to be included in 2020 will be made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) next year, and currently there is a strong campaign underway to promote the bid.

On World Squash Day, October 20^th 2012, an attempt is being made by the squash community around the globe to play the ‘biggest sports match in history’.  Clubs in countries across the world are participating in the event in which two teams of 20 players, each representing 'Team Squash' or 'Team 2020' will battle it out to create sporting history in an effort to generate worldwide awareness and recognition of the sport.

According to the World Squash Day website, the target is to make headlines around the world to Back The Bid for Squash to be included in the 2020 Olympics. To do that we need to have thousands of players joining in on the day. Not only will it be the biggest squash match in history, we want to make it the biggest-ever sports match in history.

Despite the fact that IOC has denied squash in its last two attempts, hopes remain high that all the effort and hard work behind this third attempt will be fruitful.  All squash players and clubs worldwide are encouraged to participate.

“The players want it and squash enthusiasts all over the world are desperate to see the sport included in the Olympic Games,” Chief Executive of the World Squash Federation, Andrew Shelley says.

In this bid squash is in the running with baseball, roller sports, softball, climbing and wakeboarding, karate and wushu (a form of Chinese martial arts).

Many of squash’s most well known and top players and figures are actively in support of the Olympic bid, voicing strong opinions and identifying the recent innovations that make squash the best candidate for the 2020 Games.

Recent developments including the latest high definition cameras, four glass wall courts, and a standard, universal scoring system are among the innovations that make squash a more attractive candidate for the Olympics this time around.

Natalie Grainger, former world #1 and U.S. Open winner in 2004, 2007, and 2008 says that squash is an ideal sport for the Olympics due to its ability to be a gripping televised sport.

“I have seen television footage of squash in such high definition that you can see the muscles rippling on the players’ legs as they change direction.  You can see the ball very clearly as it’s being bashed around all over the court – it’s vivid, and action-packed, and makes you feel like you are right there watching it live,” she says.

Former Men’s World #1 and U.S. Open champion in 2004 and 2005, Lee Beachill  believes the inclusion of squash in the Olympics should be a priority over a number of other events.

“How much does the Olympics mean to the top footballers?  I think that it is wrong for a sport to have Olympic status if the Olympics isn’t its biggest event.

“When the top players from a sport don’t go to the Olympics, then it shouldn’t be there.  The Olympics would be the biggest thing in squash," he says.

To emphasize just that point, earlier this year Nicol David made an astounding claim:

“I would happily trade all of my six World Open titles for an Olympic Gold,” she said.

Sadly, it is likely that 28-year old Nicol may be beyond a suitable age to participate in the Olympics in 2020 even if the bid is successful.

Regardless, her enthusiasm for the plight remains – in addition to the millions of passionate and devoted squash players around the world.

Former world #1 Jahangir Khan, often considered the world’s best ever squash player having won ten British Open titles, six World Open titles and being unbeaten for 555 consecutive matches, just recently penned an article expressing his eagerness to see squash finally make the Olympics.

“I really hope that the next generation of players get the opportunity to take part – they deserve a chance to try for the medals I missed out on," he says.

“Squash is already played in every major multi-sport event, including the Commonwealth Games, the Pan Am Games, and the Asian Games. But competing in the Olympic Games would be the most important opportunity for a player – and winning gold the ultimate prize in the sport.”

Such tremendous and extensive efforts by the international squash community and such high hopes for so many years show just how special the Olympics would be for the professional players and fans alike.

If squash does make it on to the 2020 program of Olympic sports, no doubt it would inspire the greatest efforts from the world’s best players, all playing their hearts out to be the first Olympic squash champion.

In a game with 150 years of history and millions of enthusiastic players from every continent in the world, what a spectacular thing it will be to finally see.

To find out more about the Squash's 2020 Bid, head to squash2020.com

To learn more about the 'Team Squash vs Team 2020' event on World Squash Day and register your club, head to worldsquashday.com

Article by Kristi Maroc

A surprise upset in the quarterfinals of last year’s U.S. Open has Malaysia’s Nicol David looking toward the 2012 championship with fresh and determined drive.

Losing isn’t something she takes lightly, and it was a rare occasion for Nicol – one of very few losses amid an incredibly lengthy list of wins in recent years.

“Everyone knows that I hate losing. I just want to keep on winning all the time!” Nicol chuckles.

World #1 for the past six years, Nicol has been virtually unbeatable in professional women’s squash throughout that time, but was unexpectedly knocked out of the U.S. Open last year by talented Aussie Kasey Brown, who was seeded sixth in the tournament.

There are very few professional titles that Nicol hasn’t won. However despite her astounding career history of over 50 titles, Nicol hasn’t yet won the U.S. Open –something she is looking to change in October.

It seems last year’s loss has only acted as a motivator for her and this year she is hoping to challenge for the title and add it to her extensive list of career achievements.

“The U.S. Open again this year will be exciting, being there knowing that it’s not mine to defend, it’s mine for the taking,” she says.

“It’s something to look forward to, and it will be good to be back in Philadelphia again.

“The challenge is always there, all the time, and no doubt you have players that are there gunning for you. But it’s a tournament where I’m not defending it – I just want to go for it!” she smiles.

Nicol’s determination, drive and achievements have earned her a household name status in the squash world. She is arguably the most well known female player of modern day squash, and one of the most prominent in the history of the game.

Nicol was named WISPA Player of the Year for six consecutive years from 2005 to 2010. At the end of last year she was inducted to the World Squash Federation’s Hall of Fame, a prestige usually reserved until late in the career of long standing professional athletes, however due to her extraordinary accomplishments she was given the honor whilst still at the peak of her career and actively competing.

At the time she was quick to dispel any rumors that the honor might mean she is nearing retirement.

“Even though I have been playing the professional circuit for over ten years, this honor doesn’t mean I plan to finish yet!” she warned.

Nicol holds a celebrity status in Malaysia with an intensity that surpasses any squash athlete of current time. She has earned the devotion and admiration of adoring fans across the country due to her achievements in squash on the international stage, and has brought attention to the game in Malaysia at a level that is rare in squash in most other parts of the world.

She has won the Malaysian Sportswoman of the Year a remarkable eight times, and has also been ranked as one of the top most influential Malaysian women of all time. She was the first Asian woman to achieve world number one status in squash.

Nicole was honored with a Darjah Bakti (Order of Merit) award in recognition of her immense contribution to the nation, and the former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi once told her that she was the pride of the nation and “you are now more famous than me".

So far this year, Nicol has won all of the championships she has competed for, including the World Open, British Open, Kuala Lumpar Open and the Cleveland Classic, showing peak form in the lead up to the U.S. Open.

Next stop will be the Australian Open in August, before she heads to the States to challenge for the U.S. Open title in October.

“The 2011 U.S. Open was a tournament where I learnt a lot. I lost in the quarterfinals and from then on I’ve really picked things up and found ways to really stay on top of things and going to other tournaments with a clearer mind and being ready for anything.”

When asked for the secret to her success throughout her career, Nicol says her parents have made a significant contribution.

“I have a good family upbringing and my parents have played a huge part in my squash success. They have supported me all through my squash career in juniors and also in school, and have never put any pressure on me to perform. They’ve just always been there by my side all the way.

“Also I have a very good support team behind me, and good sponsors, and all this has played a huge role.”

Recognizing her talent and marketability, Nicol is sponsored by Prince, Asics, Oakley, Gatorade, Hotel Equatorial and CIMB Investment Bank Berhad.

Nicol’s training is six days a week, twice a day, and a total amount of 2-4 hours a day depending on whether it is off season or pre season.

“If it’s pre season I’ll reduce the workload and pay more attention to squash, but it’s a combination of squash and physical – physical meaning fitness, gym, agility and movement and everything you can think of basically.”

Aside from her incredible and intensive squash career, Nicol has managed to achieve significant academic success, and is also a United Nations Development Programme National Goodwill Ambassador.

On her website, Nicol lists some of the qualities that she feels are most important in life as power, skill, creativity, mental toughness, drive and passion.

In her own words, “You have to want something so badly that it pushes you to the limits”.

With Nicol’s eye on the prize, the battle for the women’s 2012 U.S. Open crown is going to be an exciting one.