Australian squash great Rachael Grinham says she is weighing up a stunning bid to compete at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, conceding her chances are “pretty slim” but refusing to rule out one last tilt at the sport’s biggest new stage.
Squash will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Games, opening the door for veterans and rising stars alike to chase history in Los Angeles through the qualification system announced by the IOC. For Grinham, a former world No.1, the prospect is both enticing and daunting.
“It’s pretty slim,” the 48-year-old told AAP of her Olympic hopes. “But I’ll probably throw myself out there. I can give it a crack but with not much expectation.”
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Grinham, who held the world No.1 ranking for 16 months from August 2004, remains one of Australia’s most decorated squash exports.
A multiple-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist and British Open champion, she was renowned for her relentless retrieving and tactical precision during a golden era for Australian women’s squash.
Yet she is realistic about the scale of the challenge ahead.
“I have slowed down,” she admitted, reflecting on her appearance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. “Who knows? I’m almost 50 years old. I never know how I’m going to feel from day to day.”
While she believes she “probably could be around the five to seven rank in Australia” with consistent play, she added candidly: “But I’m not.”
Grinham’s comments came as she was named a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in this year’s Australia Day Honours list, recognition she described as surreal after decades of service to the sport.
“It’s nice to win something again for a while — forgotten what it feels like,” she said with a laugh.
The honour places her among a distinguished sporting cohort recognised this year. Former Wallabies coach John Connolly was also appointed a Member (AM), while New Zealand motorsport legend Jim Richards was made an honorary Member.
Olympic icon Cathy Freeman was elevated to Companion (AC), the highest level in the Order, and former Matildas coach Alen Stajcic received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).