Dubai: Nicol David may have crashed out of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Series Finals at Dubai Opera with three straight defeats on Thursday, but she was just happy to have pushed through after the death of her physio last week.
Ronald Fauvel passed away in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on June 1 after being admitted to hospital with breathing difficulties. He was 58-years-old and is survived by his wife Sandra and two sons Antoni and Giovanni.
The Canadian had worked with 33-year-old Malaysian David for almost two decades since she was 14, seeing her go on to become the record eight-time world champion, holding the World No. 1 spot for a record 109 consecutive months from 2006 to 2015.
That dominance may have seemed a distant memory at this week’s PSA World Series Finals following defeats to Laura Massaro 2-0 (10-12, 10-12), Nour Al Sherbini 2-0 (6-11, 9-11) and Sarah-Jane Perry 2-1 (11-6, 4-11, 8-11), but David can be excused given the circumstances.
“It’s always tough, you don’t expect that to happen,” she said of Ronald’s passing. “But then again you come and just give it your best and put your heart and soul into it and just have an extra boost to push through.
“I played some good squash especially coming in playing [defending champion] Laura. I put some good games in but with best of three you have to be really sharp and from the get-go you have to be really on it and stay in there, right to the end. I just lost those moments and at this level you can’t really let that window in.
“I was always well and truly coming and ready to give it a good go,” she added of the prospect of pulling out. “It’s not every day you get a chance to be in the top eight in the Opera House as well.
“It’s been a really exciting week and I’ve really enjoyed the crowd and playing all the top players again and fighting to the very end. I didn’t want to let it go but you know these girls are just as hungry to take this one. I’m just happy to have come here and given it my best.”
Earlier in the week David had posted an emotional tribute to Ronald on her Facebook page, which read: “Thank you Ronald for always having my back and for being there with me through my highs and lows. Most of all, thank you for being the best friend and family to me and it’s been my honour to spend my entire squash career with you.”
