Emotional Nicol recalls extraordinary 21 years

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Nicol is looking forward to continuing her contributions from outside the glass court, especially with women empowerment and motivational programmes through the Nicol David Foundation. — Bernama photo

KUALA LUMPUR: World and Malaysia squash legend Datuk Nicol David has ended her playing career on Tuesday night following a second-round defeat to world number three Nour El Tayeb at the British Open in England.

The eight-time world champion and five-time British Open champion lost 11-4, 11-7, 11-13, 11-5 to the Egyptian in her last tournament to bring closure to an illustrious 21-year career.

In February this year the 35-year-old had announced that the current 2018/19 Professional Squash Association (PSA) season would be her last and that her favourite tournament the British Open would be her last event.

The nostalgia was partly planned but Nicol felt emotional nevertheless.

It was the place and event chosen because it was the 2005 British Open title that led to her first World Championship in that same year and propelled her to an unprecedented nine years as World No. 1 from 2006 to 2015.

“The British Open was the thing that really kicked things off and winning that title gave me the belief that I could be one of the best on tour and gave me the confidence to win my first world title and get to world number one.

“At the time, you just never quite know until you experience it first-hand, and as the years went by, that’s when I won my second world title and things really kicked off for me. It all really started from the British Open, I can’t believe it’s nearly been two decades,” she said after the match.

The video interview was posted in the PSA’s Facebook, ‘Squash – PSA World Tour’.

The Penangite, who started to play squash at the age of five, also claimed an incredible three World Games gold medal, five Asian Games gold and two Commonwealth Games gold over 20 years representing Malaysia.

Nicol, who turned pro in 2000, was the youngest world junior champion when she won the 1999 World Junior Squash Championships in Antwerp, Belgium at the age of 15.

Moving to the next phase of life, the nation’s highly popular and gracious sports icon is looking forward to continuing her contributions from outside the glass court, especially with women empowerment and motivational programmes through the Nicol David Foundation.

“At the moment I would love to work closely with the Women’s Tour to help the tour grow as there is so much potential to showcase. I also want to do something at home with my foundation to help more girls to venture into sports and using squash as a tool to empower more girls.

“Hopefully I can motivate more people…There are too many things I want to do. I am looking forward to the next phase,” she said.

Incidentally, the ongoing British Open is also the last tournament for two top players from England, the two-time British Open champion Laura Massaro and former World No. 2 Jenny Duncalf. — Bernama