Squash star Dipika hopes to get back to her best game

Dipika said she is focused on getting back to the top 10 in women’s ranking, though she reached the mark three years ago. Currently ranked No 19, the Indian champion, who along with Joshna Chinappa, changed the face of squash in the country, has been dangling between No 10 and 19 in world rankings in the last three years. Joshna Chinappa, who broke into the top 10 this year, is currently ranked No 13 in the world. 

“I have got a great opportunity to come back, now that I am playing in two or three events in the United States,” said the Pdama Shri and Arjuna award winner on the sidelines of ‘adidas Uprising’, an initiative by the sportswear company to promote sports among laymen. Her immediate challenge is the US Open next week, followed by two more events there. 

Dipika has been training with her personal coach Sarah Fitz-Gerald for the last four years. They don’t have regular camps but wherever they could meet, they would spend time together. “I am in Chennai and she is in Melbourne. I play about 14 tournaments a year, so if I could go to her or she could come to me depending on the events, we train together,” said Dipika. “We have a working rapport and she has a nice approach.” Dipika agreed the competition is tough at the top. “It’s very hard now and anything could happen,” Dipika said. The glamour girl of Indian squash said Velavan’s Asian junior championship title is a good landmark. “Even in the girls section, there is a bunch that is doing well,” she added.