Laura Massaro Takes Over at Women's World No 1 from PSA Media January 1, 2015
- Laura Massaro has become just the third Englishwoman ever to occupy
the coveted World No.1 position after leapfrogging Egyptian Raneem El
Welily to top the January 2016 PSA Women’s World Rankings released
Friday.
The 32-year-old Lancastrian ended 2015 in a rich vein of form claiming
three PSA World Tour titles and competing in four of a possible five
finals to surge to the top and become World No.1 for the first time in
her career, following in the footsteps of compatriots Cassie Jackman
(2004) and Lisa Opie (1988).
“When I first joined the tour my aim was to be on the first page of the
rankings,” said Massaro. “Then it was to be top ten, then top three and
the last step to becoming top of the list has been a long time coming.
“I’ve been close for a very long time and to now be World No.1 is very,
very special. There’s no trophy lift or one moment of winning like at a
tournament but there’s a huge sense of satisfaction that another box
has been ticked.
“It has taken a lot of years to get to the point where I can be at the
top and just like the World Championship and British Open titles I won,
I know this is something that I’m always going to be able to look back
on.”
Massaro secured her place at the summit of the World Rankings with
victory over El Welily, who occupied the position from September –
December, in the semi-final of the recent Hong Kong Open. But having
lost to long-time rival Nicol David, the woman who held the No.1 spot
for an unprecedented nine-years, in the final of that tournament
Massaro says she is relishing the prospect of defending her position
throughout 2016.
“The battle between Raneem, Nicol and myself is an interesting one but
there are so many players in the top ten capable of winning big matches
and winning titles that there’s more uncertainty at tournaments now
than ever before,” said Massaro.
“I think the Women’s Tour is at one of its strongest points ever so
women’s squash is in a very exciting period but I now have that ranking
to defend and that gives me even more motivation to keep improving.
“I believe there is plenty left to come and I have a lot of desire to
make sure that I achieve it and push myself for the remainder of my
career.”
Elsewhere inside the World Top Ten American Amanda Sobhy moves up three
places to a career high of World No.8 while New Zealand’s Joelle King
continues her rise up through the rankings, also moving up three places
to No.12.
