Squash | Fuller, Van Niekerk Headline Field For Squash Growthpoint Nationals

Alex Fuller and Dewald Van Niekerk headline field for Squash Growthpoint Nationals

• V&A Waterfront in Cape Town set to buzz with feast of squash

V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa: The stage is set for another blockbuster showdown when South Africa’s best players gather in Cape Town this week for the 2024 edition of the Growthpoint SA Nationals Squash Championships.

With the field headed by top seeds Alex Fuller and Dewald van Niekerk, the all-glass court built in the Centre Court of the V&A Waterfront will serve up a feast of squash from Friday to Sunday, with the prestigious men’s and women’s titles at stake.

Following last month’s success at the Growthpoint Interprovincial team event, when they led their respective teams to the A section titles, Western Province’s Fuller and Van Niekerk SA Country Districts (SACD) are now poised to add more individual trophies to their resumés.

Both have tasted success in previous national tournaments, with the 30-year-old Fuller having won in 2020 and 2022 and Van Niekerk, 27, chasing his fourth title in a row.

Fuller, who reached a highest world ranking of 22, retired after a decade on the professional circuit late last year and is enjoying the release from the pressure of competing at an elite level.

“My squash has almost gone the full circle and after I retired at the beginning of November, I just didn’t want to play and I took three months off,” she said. “But I do love the game because it has brought me so many special memories, so after a while I decided to get back on the court and it has allowed me to play with so much more freedom. “As a professional, you are concerned that you should be practising every day, but now there are no expectations and no pressure, so I almost feel I am playing better than when I was on tour.”

That’s not good news for her opponents, but Fuller knows she will have a target on her back at the V&A Waterfront.

While she stands above the rest, she will not be taking anything for granted as she chases another title.

“The Growthpoint SA Nationals is a huge tournament and it’s a big honour to play in it and to win it,” Fuller said. “I’m really enjoying playing in these tournaments and competing again, so I’m excited about this next opportunity.”

In the men’s event, Van Niekerk also knows that he will be in the sights of his rivals as they seek to knock him off the top of the podium.

Having worked extremely hard on his squash over the last two years, it’s difficult to see that changing.

But there’s plenty of experience in SA Country Districts teammate JP Brits and Joburg Squash’s Christo Potgieter, plus young talent in second seed Damian Groenewald of Northerns, to have the country’s best player on his toes throughout the weekend.

Van Niekerk is making sure he doesn’t get ahead of himself.

“I will take the Growthpoint SA Nationals as I do every year,” he said, “by looking at it as if I’m playing it for the first time. “Obviously I do have the experience of being seeded No 1 and everyone coming for you, but it’s very much a case of taking it one match at a time and not overthinking it.”

Despite his recent dominance, the Growthpoint Nationals remains a highlight on Van Niekerk’s annual calendar.

“It is the biggest individual title you can win so I will always make time to be at the Growthpoint SA Nationals,” he said.

Squash SA president Kyle Potgieter said they were looking forward to hosting another high-quality event.

“Squash SA is most thankful for the continued generous sponsorship from Growthpoint Properties, and we look forward to a most successful and exciting tournament at the V&A Waterfront,” he said.

“We would like to take this opportunity to wish all the players competing in the tournament all the best and let squash be the winner.”

There is no charge for spectators who are encouraged to visit the V&A waterfront and experience the top South African squash players competing for national honours.

Friday’s first round matches (August 2024) are:

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