Squash Update: Former World no. 1 Sarah Fitz-Gerald to make comeback
Apparently, age is just a number when you are young at heart. Five times World Squash champion, Australia's Sarah Fitz-Gerald is set to play her first competitive tournament in over a decade next week. Aged 41, Fitz-Gerald retired
from the sport in the year 2002. However, the professional is scheduled to play at the Women's World Team Squash Championships in New Zealand on Monday.
"When I was coming through we were always in the top three, probably the top two, so that's part of the reason I put my hand up - just to see if I could help move us up from potentially sixth to four or five even. I haven't ever
really stopped playing since I came off tour. I've been doing league, promotions and exhibitions, so my fitness is still pretty good and I'm playing alright," stated Sarah.
Despite Fitz-Gerald admitting that making a return now will be quite a challenge, the professional exclaimed that she will give it her all and be as competitive as she was prior to her retirement.
The Australian line-up includes Kasey Brown, Rachael Grinham and Donna Urquhart. Additionally, Sarah said that it has been hard to watch the downfall of the Australian team and her main motivation is to help lift the team's ranking.
In the year 1996, the professional went head-to-head with England's Cassie Jackman in the finals of the World Squash Open. Jackman was defeated 9–4, 9–2, 4–9 and 9–6 as Fitz-Gerald clinched her first ever World Open title.
One year down the line, Sarah was opposed by compatriot Michelle Martin in the 1997 World Squash Open finals. The Australian bagged her second World Open title based upon her 9–5, 5–9, 6–9, 9–2, 9–3 win.
History repeated itself in the year 1998 as Fitz-Gerald faced Martin for the second time in a World Squash Open final. Unfortunately for Michelle, she lost 8-10, 7-9, 9-2, 9–3, 9-10 as Sarah took her third World Open title.
In 2001, Leilani Joyce of New Zealand faced defeat at the hands of Fitz-Gerald at the World Open as the Australian took the title based on a 9–0, 9–3, 9–2 straight set win. Additionally, Sarah took the 2002 World Open title beating
Natalie Grainger of USA 10–8, 9–3, 7–9 and 9–7 to mark her fifth World Squash Open win.
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