The pretty pink court at Queen's Club.

It was a new way to start the year for me being in London for a tournament. This is the first time since the British JUNIOR Open that I’ve played a match on the 4th of January… that’s a looooong time ago!

The top 8 women were joined with the top 8 men for the first time in this ATCO World Series Finals. It was a best of 3 games throughout the event up til the finals where we played a best of 5 games.

The players and officials stayed at the very modern Hotel Verta in Battersea, right by the river Thames. The hotel spa was the best I’d seen and all the players were trying to sneak in a spa session whenever they could… myself included!

The event was held at the prestigious Queen’s Club with a glass court set up in the indoor tennis courts. This was a serious set up and it looked spectacular.

Pool matches (Group A)
Camille Serme – 11/6, 11/6 (17m)
Court conditions were very cold and the rallies started off shorter than normal. She got going more in the second but I kept the lead til the end winning 2-0.

Donna Urquhart – 11/4, 11/4 (15m)
Similar conditions to the previous game. I got a good start in both games and was feeling the corners much better against her. I won in 2 games.

Madeline Perry – 11/6, 12/10 (25m)
We had some longer rallies in this match, however she made some errors in the first game to give me a 1 game lead. The 2nd game went to a tie breaker but I kept to my game plan to win 12-10.

Semis against Laura Massaro – 8/11, 11/4, 11/3 (33m)
Great audience for the semis. Laura took in the support from the home crowd and got a flow to take the first game. I found my depth in the second and worked the court better while she made a few mistakes. I took it a step further in the 3rd game and won it 2-1.

Finals against Madeline Perry – 11/9, 11/9, 11/9 (41m)
It was a completely different match playing in the finals with Madeline instead of the pool matches. Both of us kept stepping up the pace and intensifying the rallies with Madeline trying to go for every shot presented to her. She took the lead throughout the match but I pulled it off winning it 3-0.

Winners of the World Series Finals - Amr Shabana and Nicol David.

It was a very well run event by the Eventis team lead by Tim Garner and to have Sky Sports covering this LIVE in London was extra special.

A nice start to the year for me and off to Cleveland next week for my first WSA tournament of the year. Looking forward!

[Photo credits to Jordan Mansfield. His fantastic shots throughout the tournament can be viewed here.]

The beautiful harbour front at the Arts and Cultural building in Kowloon where the glass court was erected.

Hong Kong was the first city that I travelled outside of Malaysia when I started playing junior tournaments and it certainly won’t be my last. Every time anyone asked me about Hong Kong, I would picture myself winning my first World Open title on the harbour front at the Arts and Cultural building in Kowloon. My dream came true then. Now, 7 years later, it still has a special place in my heart.

This year, the event was back on the harbour front and my aim was to go back there to relive the memory. However, the only way to get there was to get through the semis.

A good first two rounds with Tong Tsz Wing and Donna Urquhart, winning 3-0. Donna made it tougher in the third game and I only just won it 14-12.

A lot of anticipation came into my quarter final match with Laura Massaro. On my part, I wanted to play my game and give it a good go. I felt the court well and lead 2-0 but she started to go for some winners to take the third. I got my form back in the next game and won it 3-1.

Now I was on the glass court at the harbour! It was Hong Kong’s Annie Au on court and she gave everything for the home crowd, taking the first game. I got more comfortable in the second game while she started to get a bit tired. Won 3-1 and onto the finals.

Raneem El Weleily made her first ever World Series finals and I was geared up for a big match. I moved well while seeing the ball early and she made some errors to give me a 2-0 lead. She found her shot play in the third game and I needed to run down everything while staying consistent with my depth to beat her.

A perfect finale for the year winning my last tournament in Hong Kong. 2012 is on!

ps. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!  :)

After I managed to scrape through the first round against Joelle King, Kasey Brown played her best squash in the quarters coming out completely flawless to beat me. I knew being slightly off my focus with her wasn’t the way to go that day. She did really well to reach the finals and that she would be gunning for more in the upcoming tournaments.

Qatar Classic

Gregory Gaultier & Nicol David - Champs in Doha.

After a loss, it usually gets me going and my aim was to get back on track for the Worlds. The Qatar Open went well and I got into every match with a purpose and never looked back.

Quarters and Semis with Raneem El Weleily and Rachael Grinham were very close but certainly were a boost when I got through further reaching the finals. That gave me a leap into another level with my focus while playing Madeline Perry. That win felt great and everything I put together made more sense in the finals.

Overcoming Kasey

The World Open!
The whole week of the tournament was a progression phase. Even before the Worlds started, Liz and my support team were set and got me ready for what was coming my way.

Finally got to play my first match with Delia Arnold and was so excited to get on court. When we moved onto the glass court, that just made everything extra special. It felt like we were performing a show with 1500 seats ready to be filled. Nour El Sherbini was up and I fought for every point against the young, talented Egyptian.

Kasey Brown was next and I took on board what I learnt since we played and brought my all in that match. A very intense match in every aspect but winning the second game gave me a step up to win the match.

A familiar setting in previous World Opens when I played Natalie Grinham but this was the semis instead. We had monster rallies in the first game and a close one too. I kept to it and got ahead in each game to beat her.

The finals day arrived; the moment I had been preparing for all year. Jenny Duncalf was set to go but I couldn’t stop myself from going out of my skin to win that title. That was the best squash match I’ve ever played and I can’t explain how amazing that feeling on court was during the match.

Unreal moment winning my 6th World Open title… Words can’t describe how I feel. Hardwork and passion truly pays off with lots of love and support from the people who dedicate their efforts and care too.

Special thanks to my parents for coming all the way to support me at every World Open. Their love is what keeps me going. Liz, for making me the best squash player I’ll ever be and her patience to see me through everything. My full support team, Ronald and Maurice (sports therapists), Frank (sports psychologist) and Patrick (physical trainer) for keeping me on top of my game always.

Thank you again! Onto Hong Kong!

Editor’s note: Nicol’s winning speech as recorded by Steve Cub of SquashSite.

Everyone was provided accommodation at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the city, next to the National Convention Centre where the glass court was set. Most players started at the Woden Squash Club but I was fortunate to get on the glass court straight away.

Round 1
Samantha Davies was a shot player and I managed to get some depth in my shots that gave me an advantage.

Round 2
I noticed Emily Whitlock had her eyewear on and I realized she just got back from the World Juniors where they’re required to wear protective eyewear… plus she was waaay younger than me! She took that first game right off the bat and kept me trailing but I gathered a string of tighter shots to gain the lead to win.

Quarters
Annie Au wasn’t moving and hitting her shots as well as she does in our matches. I felt good and kept the pace on but she stopped eventually in the third due to a leg injury.

Semis
Rachael Grinham had home ground support and the rallies we had through the match were intense. Good tight shots played and of course her signature drops came into play. I worked hard to come back from 10-8 down in the second to win 13-11. The third game went more my way but she still didn’t let it go.

Finals
Jenny Duncalf and I had a high level pace going with good lengths and long rallies. My movement and focus came together at the right time. Sometimes I hardly remember what I was doing but I knew it was hard work out there.

Winning the Australian Open was a great experience for me and we had some spectacular men’s matches that got the crowd going too. The highlight of it all was that I finally met Heather McKay in person after the semis. That just made this whole win extra special.

Everyone was back in KL for the CIMB Malaysian Open at The Curve. The set-up resembled that of the last five years we’ve been competing here and the players stayed at the Royale Bintang Hotel.

It all started off at Bukit Jalil; a familiar spot just a week after competing to regain the National Title where I beat Delia Arnold in the finals 11-4, 11-9, 11-6.  

First round
Donna Urquhart stayed solid and attacked well, and I kept the intensity going. I had a better feel on the ball in the second and third and took my chances while she made some errors.

Quarters
We were onto the glass court now. Laura Massaro and I were neck and neck in the first two games. At 1-1 in the third game, I stepped it up and got a good lead to take that game and kept it up in the fourth too. She got some points but I won in 4 games.

Semis
Omneya Abdel Kawy came in with a mission to go for anything that was presented to her. She led in the second but some mistakes came in towards the tail end of the game. I got a 2-0 lead and won the next game with a more errors from her.

Finals
Jenny Duncalf and I had some intense rallies with both of us moving well throughout the match. I had to save 2 game balls in the second to take that game. In the third game, I got more of my shots in place and won my 7th Malaysian Open title.

Amazing crowd as always and it was an euphoric atmosphere!

CIMB SINGAPORE WOMEN’S MASTERS

Flew out next day to Singapore and back to our tournament hotel at the Grand Mercure Roxy. Kallang Squash Centre kept its tradition to start off the CIMB Singapore Women’s Masters, then we moved onto the glass court at VIVOcity for the first time. Impressive venue and more shopping for the girls!

First Round
Raneem El Weleily had a similar approach as Omneya and she took it on straight away. I found myself having to save more game balls in the second to get a 2-0 lead. She made numerous errors in the third and I came out winning the match.

Quarters
I was glad to be on the glass court in a new venue and was hyped to get on with Annie Au. I started much better in this match. The next two games were close right through with a variety of shots and I managed to go through the semis.

Semis
Another re-match with Laura Massaro after Malaysia but this time in the semis. Both of us went all out especially in the first two games. The third and fourth went more her way and in the fifth game, I started with a lead but I made a few errors at the end. She took the lead from then and won the match after 85 minutes.

It was a tough battle and she played well to get the win. Will take it on and learn from that match to bring it forward to the next tournaments ahead.

Both the Malaysian Open and Singapore Masters were covered by SquashStars right through the event. Great efforts from the SquashStars crew, complete with live blogging updates. Thanks to the crew for their support always for squash!

We’re back in Curacao and it’s the last stop of our tour. We arrived in the afternoon and checked into the Plaza Hotel Curacao in the middle of town. The hotel was arranged by Yedevan de Kooy, a squash player himself who works for the hotel and our rooms were complimentary throughout our stay in Curacao.

Later, we headed to the Curacao Golf and Squash Club for our squash session with the members. They were all set to get on court with us while some wanted to just sit back and watch an entertaining evening of squash. After battling each of the guys one bye one, Piedro and I had a fun exhibition match for the crowd.

A little social get together after squash and everyone was set for the next day of clinics.

Saturday, 18th of June

Colin showing the forehand

At 10am, the kids were already signed up and on court doing some warm up exercises with Paul Durward (Curacao No.1). This is their first time on a squash court and the guys, Piedro, Colin and I started them off with some basics of the game.

They picked it up really fast and were very keen afterwards that they stayed on court playing throughout the rest of the afternoon. Piedro and I played one game just as a demo for the crowd.

Subman taking on Piedro

We had Subway Sandwiches as our lunch sponsor and it was a feast! The kids loved the Subway cookies especially our very own Colin. SPA also made sure we had enough water throughout the day.

Another round of clinics was set in the afternoon and this time it was with the adults and other members of the club. This was also a way of encouraging new members to join in.

Played Colin in a demo game as well to wrap up the day.

A fun and enthusiastic group of people in Curacao. They managed to recruit more members and kids to join the club.

With the sponsors from Maduro & Curiel's Bank N.V. (MCB) & Gopi Bhatt

Thanks to the guys – Piedro and Colin, for taking time out to work together with me in making this ‘Caribbean Heat’ promo tour a success and to Cheyenne who got things going for us. It was a team effort and everyone played a part in promoting squash in both Aruba and Curacao.

Also, thanks to the Curacao Golf and Squash Club, Anthony Richardson, Erik de Heer, Paul Durward, Kenneth O’Neil and all the sponsors for supporting the ‘Caribbean Heat’ promo tour. It was such a fantastic turnout and great response from everyone! We players are looking forward to our next trip back again.

It was difficult to leave the Caribbean islands but one thing was for sure, squash certainly had a place in the Caribbean. I had the best Caribbean experience on the islands, thanks to everyone’s hospitable nature throughout my tour.

I’ll be setting off on a new adventure next year in 2012. I wonder where my next promo tour will be… Suggestions anyone?

Scenic view from the beach at Marriott Hotel

Aruba
After an eventful 3 days in Barbados, I was off to Aruba for my next stop. This part of the tour is the ‘Caribbean Heat’ promo tour organized by Cheyenne Lacroes (a SquashCity squash player from Curacao). An avid squash fan, he decided to follow up with his contacts in Aruba and Curacao to create this tour to promote squash in those islands.

Wednesday, 15th of June

The 'Caribbean Heat' crew meeting up in Curacao, flying out to Aruba

I met one of the ‘Caribbean Heat’ squash crew, Colin Ramasra (Trinidad and Tobago No.1) on my flight from Barbados transiting in Trinidad & Tobago to Curacao. We met the rest of the crew, Piëdro Schweertman (Netherlands No.3) and Cheyenne in Curacao to head over to Aruba together.

It was one of the shortest flights I had ever been on to get to Aruba from Curacao. Checked into the Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino Aruba, where I was given a complimentary room. The hotel was right on the beach and at the tourist attraction area.

We wandered around the island and checked out the scene in the evening on the island.

Thursday, 16th of June

Colin & I snorkelling

The next day, we had a special sail boat trip to the coral reefs around the island organized by the head of Red Sail Sports, Peter De Hoop, who is a squash player himself. He was very kind to treat us with this trip. Truly an experience swimming with the fishes and even saw a proper shipwreck!

Later after our boat trip, Peter picked us up from the hotel to head to their squash court at the Centrio Deportivo Playa (Central Sport Hall). A couple of guys and Peter came out to join in the fun with Piedro, Colin and me. It was a relaxed atmosphere and we even had some friends from the badminton hall who came to play.

Friday, 17th of June
A short stay in Aruba but still managed to meet the Marriott Rep, Bram Theeven at breakfast and Peter again took us for lunch, then to the airport where we got onto our next part of the ‘Caribbean Heat’ tour in Curacao. Stay tuned!

With Peter De Hoop from Red Sail Sports

Barbados

Monday, 13th of June
I mentioned to the association that I’d love to check out the island and the beach so the mornings were left for me to do a local tour, and beach time at the hotel sponsored by Gavin Cumberbatch’s father’s hotel chain, Almond Beach Casurina Hotel. My personal local tour guide was Shawn Simpson (Barbados’  No.1 Men’s Player) . He took me around the West coast of the island to see the sights with more gorgeous beaches and lots more of what the island has to offer.

Warm up drill with the juniors

Conducted squash clinics with 17 juniors from the Barbados Junior Development Programme for 2 hours with a question and answer session. A number of potential players in the group that could be in the professional circuit someday.

Played Karen Meakins (Barbados’  No. 1 Women’s Player) in an exhibition match. Such a great turnout from the club members cheering for their local favourite. Inspired by the crowd, Karen brought her game up and really took it on from the start of the match and played some top winners in the third to take that game. I won 3-1 but the crowd was happy that she gave it her all.

Tuesday, 14th of June
Joined in a radio show at Slam 101.1 fm with Alex Jordan, one of the top Barbados women squash players who invited Gavin and me to be on her show. Fun experience and lots of people on the island had updates of the squash happenings going on.

Press conference on Barbados’ local channel at the squash club before part 2 of the clinics with the kids.

The finale of the event was an exhibition match with Shawn Simpson and another big crowd came back to the Barbados Squash Club for more squash action. Everyone was getting into the rallies and the energy was amazing with the crowd cheering on. Shawn started to flow better and played more shots in the third too. I won 3-1 but in a fun match that entertained the crowd. The whole event finished up with a question and answer session.

The Almond Beach Casurina Hotel

The Almond Beach Casurina treated us with a dinner at the hotel to mark the end of my stay in Barbados.

Thank you to the Barbados Squash Association for a fantastic time on the island and also the support of various sponsors and the Barbados Sports Council for making this all happen. Looking forward to be back on the island for a tournament sometime soon.

On the ‘Caribbean Heat’ Tour now which covers Aruba and Curacao so more updates to come!

It's great to be home. (Photo with thanks to Will Mather)

The Northam All Suites Hotel accommodated the players throughout the week and our local bus service Rapid Penang shuttled us to and fro the squash centre. I felt like a tourist riding the bus around the island!

Beng Hee, Wee Wern and myself on the Rapid Penang Bus! (Photo with thanks to Dinastik)

Round 2 with Jerryca

I got a BYE in the first round, so my first game for this tournament only started  in the second round; I played Jerryca Teo from Singapore and it was great seeing an up and coming player giving it her all in this championship.

Quarter Finals with Joey

In my match with Joey Chan, she took some time to get going, giving me the opportunity to take control. I still had to work her by playing good shots but she managed to keep the rallies long too.

Semi Finals with Delia

Delia Arnold and I have never played in a competitive match against each other and she came out flying in the start! I could tell that her match the day before with Dipika Pallikal took a toll on her and I worked the pace to my advantage.

Finals with Annie

Annie Au, was also probably feeling her semi final match against Low Wee Wern, came into the finals not as sharp and allowed  me to step it up to a higher pace. Well, I had to, so she wouldn’t be able to take in her shots too easily. I was focused and played really well. My best performance in an Asian Championship by far!

Thanks to the fantastic organising team at the Penang Squash Academy especially Aaron Soyza and Khoo Teng Hin alongside the support of the Penang state government, PBA and private companies mainly Nusmetro, and Thomas Chan for his support in producing a successful and memorable Asian Championship.

Cheers to a great coverage from the SquashStars crew for exclusive live updates and for coming to Penang to give their full support always. “I’m coming home, I’m coming home…”

Nothing can beat winning a title such as this in your own home ground with family and friends cheering every step of the way. A nice finale to end the first half of the season.

July is the beginning of the next season… Stay tuned!

On the podium, myself and the men's champion, Nafizwan.

If you would like to view more pictures from the tournament, check out the website asian2011.squashpenang.com or the official tournament Facebook Page, here!

Did I really eat all that?

Round 1 with Jaclyn
This was a repeat of last year, playing Jaclyn Hawkes in the first round but she has stepped up her game since. She kept the rallies going with a low error rate. I eventually took it 3-0.

Quarter Finals with Natalie
I haven’t played Natalie Grinham since the World Open in 2009 and our match was an interesting battle. The crowd were entertained with our retrieving and my memorable dive (I didn’t realize that I made a dive until I found myself on the floor!). That was the talk going around the island throughout the week. The match only finished at 12.30am and I won 3-1.

Semi Finals with Donna
Donna Urquhart played 4 monster matches coming from qualifying to beat everyone in her path. This alerted me to be ready for her. She made some mistakes, probably from trying to finish the rallies earlier and I won 3-0.

Finals with Jenny
Jenny Duncalf came out after 3 match-balls down the night before with Rachael to get into the finals. Our match was very competitive and Jenny brought out everything onto the court. I did come back from 10-5 down in the 3rd game with 2 match-balls but had to win it in 4 games instead.

A lovely island for a tournament and the fantastic atmosphere created by the crowd made for a memorable week down at the Caymans. Great work from Dan Kneipp for making this happen. Was great having Liz around to keep things in place during the tournament as well. Thanks to our Malaysian supporters there too!