Even though she has nothing to prove and has already won several national titles over the years, world ranked squash star Nicolette Fernandes is pumped and ready to take on the local competition at the Digicel National Senior Squash Championships which serves off this evening.
Although playing on the professional circuit is her top priority, Fernandes told Stabroek Sport that she is very enthused to compete at this year’s nationals. Still with the squash bug in her after finishing her professional season on a high note, Nicolette said she is eagerly looking forward to competing at this year’s nationals for several reasons.
“The competition just feels like it will be tough this year with a lot of players, like Regan (Pollard), who is now fit again, Alex (Arjoon), Jamal Callender and I’m hoping as that Garfield (Wiltshire) plays this year too because I know he is still really good,” she said.
The reason why the 2009 WISPA’s most improved player listed the top challenger in the men’s draw is because she has been competing in the both the male and female categories for the past four year and will continue to do so this year. This unique situation began when Nicolette was trying to make a comeback to the professional arena after suffering a career threatening knee injury that caused her to slide more than 200 places on the world ranking after peaking at number 27.
The six-time junior Caribbean squash champion stated quite clearly that she is not trying to make a gender superiority statement or anything along those lines but her she just wants to compete at her best against the most talented players locally even if they may be men.
The 29-year old Pan American Games and Championships medalist ended her profession season with two outstanding performances on the Women’s International Squash Players Association (WISPA) circuit. She miraculously finished the season with a win in the Guatemala Open last month before she made it to the semifinal of the Mexico Open recently. This put an exclamation on her season which was interrupted late last year when she was diagnosed with tendonitis in her shoulder.
After recovering and making and emphatic comeback to the WISPA tour, Fernandes is eagerly awaiting the start of the 2012-2013 season where she can continue to improve on her world rank on the professional circuit.
“My goal is not to win a national title, my goal is to be able to play against the world best women and succeed so this is just a nice test to help me prepare…”, Nicolette added.
Additionally, Nicolette said that this will give local fans and all the persons who have supported her through her testing times to see her playing at her best since they do not have the opportunity to see her excel on the world circuit. Defending champion Alex Arjoon has already confirmed his participation as well as former national champion Regan Pollard, Deje Dias and national Under 19 champion Jason Ray Khalil is also expected to compete at this year’s competition.
