‘I want to be the best in the World’

Nicolette Fernandes in action against Japan’s Misaki Kobayahshi at the World Squash Open tournament in the Cayman Islands in the Cayman Islands.

At the end of 2012 Nicolette Fernandes saw her career ranking move from number 47 in the World to number 32.
The move represented a not so small step forward in the career of the Guyanese squash player which has had its fair share of ups and downs, the downs being mainly through injuries.

Among the high points of Fernandes career last year would be her five set victory over Deon Saffery of Wales in May last year in the final of the Women’s Internacional Sports Open tournament in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Fernandes, who became a professional squash player in 2002,   was voted WISPA most improved female player of in 2006.

Fernandes had reached a career-high world ranked number 27 in 2006 but suffered a career-threatening injury which prevented her from competing for close to two years. She was also injured in 2011 after participating in the Pan American games in Mexico where she won a bronze medal for Guyana.

Nicolette Fernandes in action against Japan’s Misaki Kobayahshi at the World Squash Open tournament in the Cayman Islands in the Cayman Islands.
Nicolette Fernandes in action against Japan’s Misaki Kobayahshi at the World Squash Open tournament in the Cayman Islands in the Cayman Islands.

Towards the end of last year, Fernandes, participating in the World Open in the Cayman Islands scored upset defeats over World-ranked  Misaki Kobayahshi of Japan and Rachel Grinham of Australia. Kobayashi was at the time ranked number 42 in the World while Grinham is a former World number one ranked player.

The 29-year-old Fernandes, is a multiple winner of