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'Roger Federer of Women's Squash' Inspires Swiss Youngsters in
Zurich
Described as 'the Roger Federer of women's squash' by John
Williams, the Swiss National Squash Coach, Nicol David captivated
youngsters in Zurich of the opening day of a two-day promotional visit to
the tennis player's home country led by the world number one from Malaysia.
Organised by the Women's International Squash Players'
Association (WISPA), the visit included exhibition matches and clinics with
the Swiss National Junior Women's squad at the Vitis SportsCenter in the
largest city in Switzerland. David, on her fifth WISPA Promotional Tour,
was joined by Ireland's world number nine Madeline Perry, along with
WISPA CEO Andrew Shelley.
Vitis SportsCenter, one of three ‘Vitis’ Sporting Centres in
Switzerland, was built in 1983 by former tennis legends Vitas Gerulaitis
and Ion Tiriac. The impressive complex has 11 squash courts (including a
three-sided glass show-court), plus 10 tennis indoor courts and seven badminton
courts.
Cindy Merlo,
an 11-year-old from Zurich who was recently crowned the Swiss Junior U13
champion, was overjoyed at her chance to play with Nicol David - the 25-year-old
record two-time World Junior champion who next month is certain to round off her
third unbroken year at the top of the women's senior world rankings.
"It was very inspiring," said Miss Merlo. "It makes me want to
be like her. My ambition is to be European Junior champion, then World Junior
champion!"
David was highly complimentary about the large group of young
players she worked with, which included the new Swiss U17 National champion
Fabienne Oppliger: "There is a fantastic level of squash here - their
technique is all there, and they are hitting the ball well. They just need to
keep working hard - keep going up and up, step by step."
The large band of enthusiastic Swiss juniors then joined a packed
crowd that had arrived at the club to watch Nicol David take on two-time Swiss
champion and number one Gaby Schmohl, followed by an entertaining
exhibition match between David and WISPA Tour rival Madeline Perry.
John Williams, the club's principal coach and host of the day's
event, was full of praise of the WISPA girls' contribution: "They fact that the
sport's top women professionals like Nicol and Madeline will give up their time
free to host initiatives like this is exemplary. They were totally inspiring to
our young girls and I am sure we will see evidence of today's visit for years to
come.
"When I heard that there was a chance to get two of WISPA's top
world stars to visit our club, I jumped at the chance. The visit attracted a
fantastic number of players and enthusiasts - and has given the club a real
buzz!"
South African number two Siyoli Lusaseni linked up with
the Zurich party after competing in the Alexandria Sports Club Open in Egypt.
Following the second day of the WISPA Tour in Luzern, Lusaseni will join Nicol
David and the rest of the Squash group which will make a presentation to the IOC
in the sport's bid to join the programme for the 2016 Olympic Games.
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