Briggs wins Squash Player’s Player of the Month
award
England’s
Lauren Briggs has been named as Squash Player magazine’s female
Player of the Month for July after retaining her British Open O35
title.
The 37-year-old from Chingford in London dropped only one game en
route to lifting the trophy at Colets Health and Fitness Club,
beating Lancashire’s Amina Helal 11-6 11-2 7-11 11-9 in the final.
It was the third year in a row she has won both the British Open and
National Championships O35 titles.
“On paper it frequently looks easier than it feels,” she reveals to
Squash Player. “What with the obligatory pre-match nerves, plus a
little uncertainty over my ageing body’s performance on that day, it
adds a little tension that can weave itself into my game.
“I do find it incredible that I still get nervous after all these
years, but I put that down to how much playing still means to me.”
The former world No.18 retired from the WISPA Tour in 2013 and is
now Social Inclusion Manager at Saracens Rugby Club’s foundation,
working with disadvantaged teenagers using sport for personal and
social development.
That doesn’t stop her training hard and playing in as many leagues
and tournaments as possible. Her next goal is to avenge her defeat
to Natalie Grainger in last year’s World O35 Masters final in
Johannesburg when the event is staged again in Charlottesville,
Virginia next year.
“I was bitterly disappointed last year, so that’s definitely a
target,” she admits. “But I lost to an amazing player who I have a
lot of respect and admiration for, so that eased it somewhat.
“I just hope the creaky bones and snappy tendons hold out a little
longer for me to compete.”
