Camille Serme, the former world No.2, is coming out of retirement, with the long-term aim of qualifying for the Los Angeles Olympics.
The 35-year-old will attempt to compete in her first world tour event since 2021 when she plays a wildcard match ahead of the upcoming Paris Squash 2024.
Serme, who won a PSA Satellite in Antibes last month, will return as a mother on tour and harbours ambitions to reach the world’s top 50 by the end of the season.
She said: “I have long term goals and I want to take things step by step. When I can only do one session per day, I favour squash rather than physical training. I’m pretty happy with where I am. The feeling with the racket came back quite quickly, and so did the fitness.”
Serme was a world No.4 in September 2021 when she was injured at the Egyptian Open quarters before retiring in June 2022 aged 33.
When squash was given 2028 Olympic status, the carrot of qualifying for France clearly proved too enticing.
“When it was announced, I hadn’t given birth yet so I didn’t think about it right away!” she said.
“It came little by little, especially when I picked up the racket again and started playing league matches. In all honesty, without the Olympics I wouldn’t have come back. As I said before, this is a long-term goal, over four years, which is rather unusual in squash.
“But as a matter of fact, that’s what motivates me. The good thing is, I have people around me. It’s going to be a long road…
Should she qualify for the Paris event, she would play world No 1 Nour El Sherbini
Serme added: “I really want to play in this magnificent venue, and in general it’s one of the main reasons that motivated me to come back on the tour. On the other hand, even if I am not as involved in the organisation as I was last year, I am really keen on being a part of it, and it would be kind of a reward for the work I’ve done.”