Friday, March 29, 2024

Australian star Francis announces retirement

‘Burnt out’ Francis ends squash career after just seven years on Tour

Australian Melody Francis has announced her retirement from squash at the age of 25. 

Francis, who turned professional in 2007, won her seventh WSA Tour title at the Australian Day Challenge in January 2013 but has failed to make it past the qualifying stages in five of her last six WSA Tour event.

In a statement posted on her Facebook page, Francis said: “Retiring sounds far more dignified than saying I’m quitting. Whichever word you want to use, the outcome is still the same, the cessation of something. In this case it is my Squash career to which I am referring.

“When I first turned up to the squash courts across the road from my house I had no idea I would be where I am today, some 16 years later. But as sad as I am about the current state of my Squash the time has well and truly come for me to hang up the racquet and move on to different pursuits.”

The 25-year-old from Sunbury, Victoria added: “The reasons behind this decision are numerous and weighty. But the short story is that I am burnt out. I no longer have anything to offer on court.

“I will always love the game of Squash, but the sport of Squash and I, are going to have to take a break from each other. I am moving on to other pursuits which excite me as Squash is unable to do at this time.”

Francis, who last competed on Tour at the Cleveland Classic last month, represented Australia at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games and also helped her country finish fourth at the 2012 Women’s World Team Championships in Nimes, France.

Picture by David Marks

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