Titles galore and now she’s mentoring the next generation of champions
By ALAN THATCHER – Squash Mad Editor
British squash legend Laura Massaro has been awarded an MBE for Services to Squash in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.
The 36-year-old Lancastrian is Great Britain’s most successful ever female squash player, having been ranked World No.1, crowned World Champion in 2013, won two British Open titles – most recently in 2017 – and three Commonwealth Games silver medals for England.
In an illustrious career Massaro won a total of 23 professional tour titles, including two World Series Finals crowns in 2016 and 2017. She is also a four-time British National champion.
Massaro retired from professional squash in May 2019 and is now focusing on coaching and encouraging more women and girls to play squash.
Laura said: “I am so proud, honoured and thrilled to be awarded an MBE by Her Majesty the Queen for Services to Squash.
“The sport has already given me so much in my life so to be recognised for my success in the year that I retired is such a special privilege.
“I really hope that this recognition will help me to inspire lots more women and girls to pick up a racket and give squash a try.”
The news was reported by England Squash and the PSA, and social media lit up this morning with messages of congratulations pouring in from many current and former professionals.
Laura Massaro Biography.
Date of birth: 2nd November 1983 (age 36)
Birthplace: Great Yarmouth, UK
Resides: Preston, Lancashire, UK
Plays: Right-handed
Coaches: David Pearson and Danny Massaro (husband)
Laura Massaro Achievements.
World Champion – 2014 Penang, Malaysia (first Englishwoman to win the title for 15 years)
World No.1 – January 2016
World Series Finals Champion – 2016 & 2017 Dubai
British Open Champion – 2013 & 2017 Hull (2013 became the first English woman to win the title in 22 years, in 2017 became the first Englishwoman since 1951 to win the title twice)
US Open Champion – 2011, 2015
Commonwealth Games Silver Medallist – 2010 Doubles, 2014 Singles & Doubles
British National Champion – 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017
PSA World Tour: 23 Professional Tour Titles
Pictures courtesy of PSA, England Squash, Laura Massaro, The Emilia Group