Bailey Back In Belfast For World Title Bid

More than ten years after last visiting Belfast in her England Junior International squash debut as a 16-year-old, British champion Tania Bailey is preparing to return to the Northern Ireland capital next week in a bid to win the sport's most coveted prize in the Women's World Open Championship.

The world's most prestigious squash event - and the biggest ever to be staged in Northern Ireland - will be held in Belfast from 20-26 November, with action from the last sixteen onwards staged on a state-of-the-art four glass-walled court in the auditorium of the city's world-renowned Ulster Hall.

"I didn't get the chance to see much of the city last time I was there - so this will feel like my first visit," said the 27-year-old world No6 from Stamford in Lincolnshire.

"After travelling across the globe to places like Hong Kong, Malaysia, Qatar and Australia over the past few years, it's really good to have a World Open so close to home - my parents and my brother and his girlfriend will be coming over to support me, which will be very special."

Tania Bailey has enjoyed a distinguished career in squash. Twice the European Junior champion, she rounded off her glittering junior career by securing the world title in Brazil in 1997. Since turning pro in 1998, Tania has reached 12 Tour finals and won four titles. In February this year she clinched her first British National Championship title - later becoming England No1 for the first time.

"The World Open is such a special event - I remember my first in Stuttgart in Germany in 1998 when, in my first match on an all-glass court in a big venue, I was thrashed in the second round by Sarah Fitz-Gerald, who went on the win the title," explained the No7 seed, who has not yet progressed beyond the last eight in seven appearances in the event.

"It's the biggest event to play in - to be 'world champion' is what you dream of."

Bailey is drawn to face Malaysia's Sharon Wee, ranked 19 in the world, in the first round.

"I've never lost to her - but we haven't played each other for ages (in the World Team Championships in 2002). But if I get through, I'll probably meet Alison Waters, my England team-mate and a good friend. She's probably the strongest player in the 9/16 seeding group, so it would be a tough match.

"It's not only disappointing for both of us to meet at this stage, but a shame for our coach Paul Carter - who will have to sit out the match without speaking to either of us between games!

"But, on the other hand it would be good to have a tough game early on in the event - and, if we do meet, at least one of us will get through to the next round," added Bailey.

The new England number one is enjoying her best form for a number of years: "I've trained harder this summer than ever before - and it really paid off as I felt brilliant at both the World Teams in September and Hong Kong Open in October. I was unbeaten in Canada and had some good results, including a win over Vanessa Atkinson (the world No2) which gave me a confidence boost.

"I feel as good about my game as I have ever done," said the Hong Kong Open runner-up.

Bailey led England to success in the Women's World Team Championship in Canada in October - bringing the title back home after a six-year absence.

"It wasn't the first time I've been in a winning England team, but this was extra special, as I was team number one and captain. Even though we were favourites, we felt under great pressure - but winning the title was definitely one of the great moments of my life."

Malaysia's Nicol David is the player of the moment. Since winning the Qatar Airways Challenge in India in July, David has amassed a 22-match unbeaten run which features five WISPA titles including the Hong Kong Open and British Open.

"Nicol is so quick and makes so few errors, and she just keeps on going - making it quite a struggle to keep up with her," said Bailey of the world No1 who is seeded to retain her world title in Belfast.

"But there's more pressure generally nowadays - all the girls are improving all the time, they are so much fitter and stronger than they used to be," Bailey explained.

However, the Lincolnshire lass has had more than her fair share of misery this millennium in what she describes as 'a real rollercoaster experience' after first sustaining a knee injury in a minor road accident.

"I was out for almost three years, starting with the knee injury which required surgery - then this virus which just wouldn't go away. I kept thinking I was better, then discovering that I wasn't.

"I spent a fortune trying to get better, and must have seen about ten different doctors. I literally tried everything, including acupuncture, heart scans, and brain scans. I had constant headaches - and used to go to bed saying to myself 'please let me wake up in the morning feeling better!'

"I went from being really fit to being completely unfit. I kept being told to rest - and that was the last thing I wanted to do. I even moved house to try and rid myself of the illness," Bailey recalled.

After finally recovering from what was believed to have been 'Epstein Barr virus', Bailey is now making the consistent progress that had eluded her for so long.

"I never want to go through anything like that again. But it has taught me a lot about myself - I understand my body better. And I think it's made me a better person, and a better squash player.

"It's only in the past year that I've felt I can do what I want to do. It's been a real rollercoaster experience - after going from 17 to 4 in the rankings in a year, I then plunged to 19 a year on, and now I'm back to 6!"

The new relaxed, confident and happy Bailey has a good few years left in her, she believes: "I'm looking to play for at least another five years - I do believe I can get to the top of the rankings and win the big tournaments.

"Winning the British Nationals at the beginning of the year was great for me - and retaining the title next year is a big target for me.

"I want to play in the next Commonwealth Games - and get a gold medal to go with my silver and bronze!

"And I'd certainly love to win the World Open before I retire," concluded the England squash star.

The Women's World Open Championship will get underway at the Belfast Boat Club on Monday 20 November before moving to the city's historic Ulster Hall from the second round onwards, leading to the final on Sunday 26 November.