Malaysian eight-time world squash champion Nicol David has announced that she’s going to retire from her record-breaking profession at the top of the 2018/19 season.
The 35-year-old from the northern Malaysian state of Penang is one of the successful squash players of all time. From 2006 to 2015, he spent an unprecedented nine years at primary on this planet.
In addition to his eight World Championship victories, David also won five British Open titles, two Commonwealth Games gold medals, five Asian Games gold medals and three World Games gold medals.
Nicol’s reign at the highest of the PSA World Rankings got here to an end in September 2015, but she still put her name within the record books, setting a brand new record for the longest continuous stay on this planet’s top 5 at 143 months, before remaining in the highest 10 for a record 177 months.
Since turning skilled in 2000, David has won 81 tournament titles and reached 102 finals, winning 567 of 680 matches on tour. Her last title was won in Ciudad de Floridablanca in March 2017, when she defeated American Olivia Blatchford Clyne to take the trophy.
Nicol was also voted the best female squash player of all time in a survey conducted by the Professional Squash Association (PSA) in the summertime of 2018, which involved 1000’s of squash fans.
Nicol’s last tournament shall be the Allam British Open in Hull from May 20-26, or the PSA World Tour Finals in June, which she’s going to compete in if she qualifies.
“This decision has been considered for a long time and I know this is my last season,” said Nicol.
“My mind and body have been struggling to remain at the highest for therefore long that I feel like I only have one last big push left for this final season to offer it my all before I enter the following stage of my life.
“Competing on tour and being in these amazing places around the globe is the very first thing I’ll miss. However, I intend to make use of these coming months as best as I can. After desirous about it for some time, I can truthfully say that what stands out to me probably the most is staying in first place for nine years in a row. I never fully understood it until I used to be there. I’m very pleased with this achievement.
“I really like squash with all my heart and it’ll all the time play a vital role in my life, so I would love to offer back in 3 ways. Working closely with the Professional Squash Association (PSA) to boost awareness of our sport around the globe and construct a support team for our skilled squash players who continually raise the bar on tour.
“Helping Malaysia’s younger generation through the Nicol David Foundation, which strives to empower girls through sports to realize their full potential. And to the people of Malaysia, I’ll share my story “Training the Faith” in a series of talks and writings.
“I wholeheartedly thank the incredible support from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the National Sports Council, the Sports Institute of Malaysia, the Penang Sports Council and all of the squash associations involved in my profession – SRAM, SRAP and The Penang Squash Academy. And after all my technical team and support with the amazing Liz Irving who has worked with me for 16 wonderful years – what an ideal journey it has been.
“Thank you to all my fans, supporters and followers for joining me on my journey over the years. I would like to enjoy the last few tournaments with everyone during this campaign and I would like to encourage you all to continue to support me. The dream remains.”
PSA chief executive Alex Gough said: “Nicol is undoubtedly one in every of the best squash players of all time and we are going to greatly miss her presence on tour. She inspired a generation of Malaysian players and can go down in history as one of the iconic figures to ever pick up a squash racket.
“Nicol has always demonstrated an exemplary level of professionalism both on and off the court, and everyone at PSA wishes her all the best for the future.”
Nicol will fight for her ninth – and final – world title later this week on the PSA World Championships presented by the Walter Family, which shall be held at Union Station in Chicago from February 23-March 2. You can see the course of her last campaign on Eurosport Player.
Thank you Nicol! You have made the nation extremely proud!
Source : Eurosport
