NZ MEDALLISTS
“This is my job, she has another job, she has study and she sacrificed so much to be here so my biggest thank you has to go to her.”
King said competing in three different events had taken a toll on her body.
“It’s been a very, very tough week, like I said there’s been a lot going on behind the scenes that people have no idea about.
“But when you’re strong in the mind anything is possible and that’s what I had to do this week because my body was not able but my mind was and the fighting spirit is what really got me through.”
King wouldn’t elaborate on whether she had been carrying a particular injury or had just experienced sheer exhaustion.
“That’s a hard one to answer but I guess a combination of both we’ll say. But the team back at the village is unbelievable, all working on me three times a day, ice baths twice a day, doctors, everyone was in on the action.
“So I don’t know whether I’m more exhausted from all the treatment I’ve been getting or the actual squash.”
Landers-Murphy also went on food runs for King.
“I was getting back sometimes at midnight and having to ice bath and Amanda was running and getting me food.
“People have absolutely no idea sitting at home on the couch what we put ourselves through to get out there on court,” King said.
“And I think it’s just no excuses, just use what you’ve got and find a way to win and that’s what we did with both of my partnerships this week. When you’re on the brink, when you’re on the back foot that makes it even more satisfying …we found a way.”
Landers-Murphy, who was convinced by King to return to squash for another Commonwealth Games campaign after a year off, said she doubted she would get back to this level again.
“Especially when I stepped back on court the first time, it was a bit of a shock to the system so to get back out there and play to that level was great,” Rotorua’s LandersMurphy said.
“I think it’s almost more satisfying than the first time around.
“There’s so much more going on in my life now and it was a really hard road to get here but I had Joelle there the whole time so it was all worth it.”