100 of the Most Influential Women in Sport >> Athletes

Nicol David, Malaysia

Squash

When Nicol David exits the world of squash in June, it will mark the end of a uniquely dominant career. A real force of nature, David is a 21st century sporting legend. Few have represented the sport of squash with quite the same humility and infectious smile as David, and even fewer have attained the success she has during a distinguished career spanning two decades. No one has reigned atop the rankings for more months than her – 112 in total and remarkably 109 consecutively over a nine-year period. With eight world titles to her name, the proud Malaysian is unquestionably her nation’s finest ever export having also amassed seven Asian Games gold medals. A Hall of Famer, David has made giant strides in squash with her diminutive footprints all over the sport. The 35-year-old’s retirement is the end of an era, but it does allow David to focus her attention on empowering young girls through her foundation in Malaysia.

– David as an ambassador for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation which helps raise funds to provide financial and practical support to more than 150 projects.

– She was voted as squash’s Greatest of All Time last year when the PSA invited fans across the globe to vote for the best female player ever.

– A record-breaking eight-time World Open champion, David spent an unprecedented nine years as world No1 between 2006 and 2015.

Did you know…

David likes to pass time during her global transits by doodling. She produces quirky drawings of her views on flights or trains and these can be viewed on her social media channels.

“Even in kindergarten, having an obstacle course with the boys, I still came out winning because I wanted to beat everybody. It’s just in my nature and if I put my mind to anything, I just go for it. That’s always been in me and that has helped me until now, that fighting spirit and that knowledge that I know I have something in me that can pull me through in anything.” – Nicol David 

Twitter: @NicolDavid

Instagram: nicoldsquash