aIt was a trip to India last year that was the unlikely inspiration behind Donna Cruickshank's decision to join the professional squash circuit. A year later, the 29-year-old Scot has risen to world No.66.
Not that she has any heady ambitions. In fact, she admits that she is playing more for the enjoyment, the travelling and the social side and has no notion of making squash a full-time career.
''Maybe, if I was a bit younger,'' mused the Heriot-Watt University graduate who works in computers and is based in London. ''But I only make around #100 a tournament and I certainly couldn't live on that.''
It was when she was sent on a six-month assignment to India that she first got on the
world-ranking ladder. ''There wasn't much chance to play locally, but there were tournaments in Singapore and Japan, so I decided to take part.
''I can only train two or three times a week, but I've managed to get through a few qualifying events and it's good fun playing on the circuit. I would love to test myself as a full-time player, but it isn't really feasible.''
Twice capped at Scottish under-19 level, Cruickshank spent four years out of the sport before making a comeback 18 months ago. A full Scottish cap is a
target, but she reckons she is too far down the list.
''More Scots are playing on the circuit, and Pam Nimmo (world No.27) has shown what can be done when you go full-time.''
Cruickshank had first hand experience of Nimmo's rise to prominence when they met in the first round of this season's Scottish Championships. Nimmo went on to win the title, while Cruickshank reflected: ''Hopefully this year I get a better draw.
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