NICOL PLANS AHEAD

Veteran wants to set up academy after retirement

NICOL David is already turning her thoughts to life after her playing days are over as her semi-final defeat at the British Open in Hull on Saturday brought her career into sharp focus.

It was only two weeks ago that the eighttime world champion ended a 15-month PSA Tour title drought in Colombia before she told SquashTV about her intention of contributing to the sport which has given her so much.

Nicol, 33, spoke of plans to set up an academy after hanging up her racquet, which she insists is still at least a few years away.

“When the time comes which is still a while away I will probably look at going back to Malaysia and set up a squash academy and foundation,” said the Amsterdam-based Nicol.

“I just want to give back what the country has given me to reach my full potential in my career and giving all their support.”

On Saturday, Nicol was denied a chance to return to the British Open final since winning the title for a fifth time in 2014 after an 11-8, 7-11, 13-11, 11-7 defeat to eighth-seed Sarah-Jane Perry of England.

Ranked seventh in the world, Nicol lost for a second consecutive time to Sarah-Jane, who still trails 2-4 in their rivalry.

“I think it was just a matter of SJ being on form," said former World No 1 Nicol, who will next appear at the Women’s World Championship in El Gouna, Egypt in April. “She was very relaxed and was mixing it up very well. I wasn't finding my footing and it wasn’t until the second game that I got going.

“I wasn’t as sharp as I needed to be and she is too strong not to be at your best. I’m disappointed, but fair play to Sarah-Jane, she played well and the better player won.”

Nicol was the favourite to beat SarahJane, who alluded to this when she said, half-jokingly: “I will dedicate this win to the people behind me who didn't know who I was, and said that Nicol was going to win.”