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Squash is more intense than ever: Sivasangari says after rising to world number 10 | Scoop
S. Sivasangari's rise to world number 10 comes after a string of impressive performances, including a third-round appearance in the PSA World Championship 2023-2024 on May 15 and winning the inaugural London Squash Classic title in April. – Halim Salleh/Scoop pic, May 27, 2024
Sports

Squash is more intense than ever: Sivasangari says after rising to world number 10

National squash star reflects on her journey as she reaches a career-high ranking and prepares for 2028 Olympics

Main Author Image
Sandru Narayanan
Updated
7:32 PM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR – With national squash ace S. Sivasangari breaking through to her career-best ranking, the world number 10 player admits that the sport’s competitiveness and intensity will increase even more.

In the latest women’s ranking list issued by the Professional Squash Association (PSA) last week, Sivasangari accumulated 7,595 tour points, rising one spot to 10th. 

She now stands just behind Egypt’s Rowan Elaraby, who also moved up one spot to ninth.

The 25-year-old’s promotion follows a series of impressive achievements, including a third-round appearance in the PSA World Championship 2023-2024 on May 15 and winning the inaugural London Squash Classic title in April. 

During the London Squash Classic, she triumphed over three top players – world number one Nour El Sherbini of Egypt (quarter-finals), world number four Nele Gilis of Belgium (semi-finals), and world number two Hania El Hammamy of Egypt (final).

Sivasangari said she was happy with her recent achievements after recovering from a potentially career-ending road accident a couple of years ago.

In June 2022, the Sg Petani-born player was involved in a major car accident on the Maju Expressway, which dashed her hopes of representing Malaysia at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

She was rescued from the car before it caught fire but sustained severe head injuries and was rushed to Putrajaya Hospital for treatment.

“I’m happy to reach the top 10 ranking in the world. It was my biggest goal for the year, and I’m glad I achieved it,” said Sivasangari at the launch of Prince Court Medical Centre’s Orthopaedic Clinic in Kuala Lumpur today.

“The intensity level among the women in squash is really high. The Egyptians are dominating the game, and it’s very competitive. It’s a totally different game compared to 10 to 20 years ago.

“I have more goals to achieve this year and in the years to come and hope to keep up the momentum. 

“After what has happened in my life, 2023 and 2024 have been some of my best years. I won the Hangzhou Asian Games gold medal and several major events, and I’m just happy with how much I have progressed over the years.”

Sivasangari has also set her sights on becoming a more competitive player while staying injury-free to prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 

“Since squash is now in the Olympics, we are all really excited, as we have been waiting for this moment for years. It’s four years from now, and I want to take it one step at a time and stay injury-free.

“As we all know, I look up to Datuk Nicol David a lot. She’s my biggest inspiration in the game. She has set the bar really high, and she’s definitely a legend of the game.

“It’s my time to continue her legacy,” Sivasangari added.

Aside from Sivasangari, two other national players, Rachel Arnold (3,073 points) and Aira Azman (2,478 points), saw their rankings rise to 23rd and 36th, respectively. – May 27, 2024

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