Natalie Grinham To Make Windy City Comeback by Howard Harding 13 January 2015
- Just seven months after the birth of her second child, former world
number two Natalie Grinham will make her comeback at the first Women's
Squash Association World Series championship of the year, the Windy
City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners and EquiTrust Life Insurance
Company in Chicago from 26 February to 4 March.
The World Series Platinum event is making history by offering the
richest purse in North America this year and providing parity for men's
and women's prize money. The Windy City Open, hosted by the University
Club of Chicago and staged in the club's prestigious Cathedral Hall, is
one of only two Pro Squash World Series Events to offer prize money
parity for men and women professionals.
Australia-born Grinham, a record triple gold medallist in the 2006
Commonwealth Games who now represents the Netherlands where she boasts
three national titles, is excited about making her latest Tour comeback
after the birth of her second son Ryan on 31st July last year.
"I feel like an addict about to get my fix," admitted the 36-year-old
from Hoofddorp. "I am excited to be going back on tour, but at the same
time nervous and curious."
Grinham, who has appeared in 44 WSA World Tour finals and boasts 19
titles, lines up against Alison Waters, the world No.5 from England, in
the first round in the top half of the draw.
"How far will I get, and will I be satisfied?" continued Grinham
(pictured above with Ryan). "I think it's possible to get back to being
competitive at the highest level.
"Having two kids requires a lot more structure, so it's going to be tougher this time - but I do love a challenge!"
The draw also includes Natalie's older sister Rachael Grinham, the 11th
seed. The former world number one faces Hong Kong's Joey Chan in the
other half of the draw.
Malaysia's reigning world number one Nicol David is seeded to win her
61st WSA World Series title in Chicago. The 31-year-old from Penang,
who last month won a record eighth world title, opens her Windy City
Open campaign against US wild card Olivia Blatchford.
The draw predicts a final between David and Raneem El Welily, the
Egyptian who moved up to two in the January world rankings after
reaching December's Wadi Degla World Championship final at her home
club in Cairo against expectations.
Defending champion Laura Massaro, who beat El Welily in last year's
final, is the event's third seed. The world No.3 from England faces a
qualifier in the opening round.
Windy City Open 1st round draw:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v [WC] Olivia Blatchford (USA)
[12] Dipika Pallikal (IND) v Qualifier
[15] Nouran Gohar (EGY) v Qualifier
[5] Alison Waters (ENG) v Natalie Grinham (NED)
[4] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v Qualifier
[10] Annie Au (HKG) v Jenny Duncalf (ENG)
[13] Madeline Perry (IRL) v Qualifier
[8] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) v Joshana Chinappa (IND)
[6] Camille Serme (FRA) v Qualifier
[14] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) v Nicolette Fernandes (GUY)
[16] Emma Beddoes (ENG) v Sarah Kippax (ENG)
[3] Laura Massaro (ENG) v Qualifier
[7] Low Wee Wern (MAS) v Habiba Mohamed (EGY)
[11] Rachael Grinham (AUS) v Joey Chan (HKG)
[9] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) v Qualifier
[2] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v Qualifier
