Liz Irving, the coach of Datuk Nicol David believes Malaysian squash queens will be able to regain her place at the top of the world rankings.
The 32-year-old Penangite's unprecedented 109-month reign as the world number one came to an end last month after her nemesis, Egyptian Raneem El Welily overtook her position after accumulating 2,979 points, 126 points more than Nicol who has 2,853 points.
“Being world number one for as long as she has is incredible. Her focus on the job at hand has been tremendous and I know that she is extremely hungry to get back there," Irving told British television, BBC as being quoted in the Professional Squash Association (PSA) website; www.psaworldtour.com.
"Of course she likes to be at the top of the tree, don't get me wrong, but she's certainly been very driven to work exceptionally hard over the last two or three months, knowing pretty well that this was in the background," added Irving who was the former world number two player during her playing days in the late
90's.
The 50-year-old Australian also paid tribute to Nicol's determination while insisting that the 79-time PSA World Tour title winner has the character to overcome adversity.
"It was just incredible (topping the World Rankings for over nine years). I have been on the whole journey with her and she is just a tremendous athlete. Her dedication, her drive and her discipline is just incredible. She has definitely exceeded all expectations.
"Certainly when we started working together, never in a million years would I have dreamt that she would have gone this far as long as she has,” she quipped.
She was also confident that Nicol will be able to bounce back after suffering a shocking defeat to world junior champion, Nouran Gohar from Egypt in the last-eight of the China Open, last week.
“She didn't really have very good results for the last six months so it wasn't a surprise that she dropped and that's just the way it is. I know for sure that she is definitely very hungry, very determined and very clear on the task ahead of her now," she said.
Nicol will be looking to redeem her disappointment in China during the Macau Open which starts on Sept 15, where she is slated to meet her teammate, Delia Arnold in the opening round.
Bernama
Wed Sep 09 2015
Liz Irving is confident that Nicol (pic) will be able to bounce back after suffering a shocking defeat to world junior champion, Nouran Gohar last week. - File pic
KKM kekal keputusan pinda Akta Perubatan 1971
KKM kekal dengan keputusan untuk meminda Akta 50 bagi menangani jurang antara PPP dan Program Sarjana Perubatan tempatan biarpun mendapat bantahan sesetengah pihak.
Malaysia-China bincang perkukuh kerjasama sektor pendidikan tinggi
Sempena sambutan Ulang Tahun ke-50 Hubungan Diplomatik, Malaysia dan China bincang inisiatif strategik perluas dan perkukuh jalinan kerjasama sektor pendidikan tinggi.
Freedom Flotilla to Gaza: Semua delegasi diminta pulang, FFC akan maklumkan tarikh baharu misi
Freedom Flotilla Coalition tidak dapat meneruskan misi penghantaran bantuan ke Gaza untuk kali ini.
Biden rancang untuk berdebat dengan Trump
Sebelum ini, Biden tidak komited untuk berdebat dengan lawannya, Trump.
Pesta Kaamatan 2024 dilancar pada 1 Mei di Ranau, Sabah
Sambutan perayaan Pesta Kaamatan 2024 akan dilancarkan pada 1 Mei di Ranau dan diadakan sambutan di peringkat daerah, di Sarawak dan Semenanjung.
Khairulnizam layak ke Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024
Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy sah akan mengiringi Nur Shazrin Mohd Latif ke Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024, juga merupakan penampilan keempat berturut-turut di temasya berprestij itu.
Musibah banjir buka peluang 'rezeki lebih' usahawan F&B melalui IPR
Musibah banjir yang melanda Johor tahun lepas membuka peluang rezeki baharu kepada usahawan makanan dan minuman, Haida Abdul Rahman.
Mohd Azizulhasni tekad dikalungkan pingat emas di Paris
Azizulhasni tekad untuk 'dikalungkan' pingat emas pertama Malaysia di Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024 pada penampilan terakhirnya di temasya itu.
USM cipta rekod hasilkan kaligrafi Cina 2.68km
Penuntut USM cipta rekod dalam MBOR apabila menghasilkan penulisan kaligrafi Cina sepanjang 2.68 kilometer.
MITRA sudah belanja RM40 juta daripada peruntukan RM100 juta tahun ini
Sebanyak RM40 juta daripada peruntukan RM100 juta yang disalurkan kerajaan tahun ini kepada MITRA telah dimanfaatkan untuk pelbagai program.