KUALA LUMPUR: Sarah Fitz-Gerald is generally known as the Aussie squash legend who held a record five world titles since 2002.
That was until it was equalled by Malaysia’s own squash queen Nicol David in 2010.
Then last year, Nicol re-wrote the history books by becoming the first woman to win six world titles in Rotterdam.
Despite having her record erased by Nicol, Fitz-Gerald is actually relieved and believes that the current world No. 1 will go on to achieve far greater things in the next 10 years.
“I’m very happy that Nicol broke the record and I’m amazed at her achievements,” said Fitz-Gerald, who is in town as coach to rising Indian star Dipika Pallikal for the CIMB Nicol David KL Open.
“She’s a brilliant world No. 1 and she will only go on to achieve greater success.
“There’s still at least 10 more years left in her and, who knows, maybe she might even break the record of being the longest world No. 1 in history.”
Kiwi legend Susan Devoy currently holds the record of being the longest world No. 1 – staying at the top for 105 consecutive months from April 1984 to February 1993.
Nicol, who has held on to her number one spot since August 2006, has an accumulated 70 months of being on top and is currently second in the list of all time world No. 1s.
Meanwhile, Fitz-Gerald remains optimistic that squash will earn a place in the Olympics, especially through the additional efforts of numerous top players, including Nicol.
“I guess we deserve to be in the Olympics as squash has grown so much in terms of popularity over the last few years,” said the 43-year-old Fitz-Gerald.
“Everyone is doing his or her best to get squash in and, hopefully, it’ll be there for the 2020 Olympics.
“It may be too late for me to make a comeback, but I would love to be a part of it as a coach. Nicol, however, could still play if squash is there in 2020 and it will not be too late for her yet.”
THE STAR
That was until it was equalled by Malaysia’s own squash queen Nicol David in 2010.
Then last year, Nicol re-wrote the history books by becoming the first woman to win six world titles in Rotterdam.
Despite having her record erased by Nicol, Fitz-Gerald is actually relieved and believes that the current world No. 1 will go on to achieve far greater things in the next 10 years.
“I’m very happy that Nicol broke the record and I’m amazed at her achievements,” said Fitz-Gerald, who is in town as coach to rising Indian star Dipika Pallikal for the CIMB Nicol David KL Open.
“She’s a brilliant world No. 1 and she will only go on to achieve greater success.
“There’s still at least 10 more years left in her and, who knows, maybe she might even break the record of being the longest world No. 1 in history.”
Kiwi legend Susan Devoy currently holds the record of being the longest world No. 1 – staying at the top for 105 consecutive months from April 1984 to February 1993.
Nicol, who has held on to her number one spot since August 2006, has an accumulated 70 months of being on top and is currently second in the list of all time world No. 1s.
Meanwhile, Fitz-Gerald remains optimistic that squash will earn a place in the Olympics, especially through the additional efforts of numerous top players, including Nicol.
“I guess we deserve to be in the Olympics as squash has grown so much in terms of popularity over the last few years,” said the 43-year-old Fitz-Gerald.
“Everyone is doing his or her best to get squash in and, hopefully, it’ll be there for the 2020 Olympics.
“It may be too late for me to make a comeback, but I would love to be a part of it as a coach. Nicol, however, could still play if squash is there in 2020 and it will not be too late for her yet.”
THE STAR
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