Off the court

LOW Wee Wern is no stranger to Malaysians. If you were to meet her by chance in real life, you'd instantly recognise and associate her with the future of our nation's squash scene.
Only 25, squash has been a major part of her life and the achievements that she has accomplished has made her a household name in this sport.
"Squash aside, I'm a fairly private person. I like my quiet time having a cup of coffee by the beach or the poolside with close friends and family," said the women's world No. 8.
By a stroke of misfortune she had to pull out of this year's Asian Individual Squash Championships and British Open due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) on her left knee. Based in Penang, Low revealed in an email interview who she is as a person, and how she's recovering from her knee injury.
"It's frustrating being out injured, and not being able to compete in tournaments and train as per normal.
Rehabilitation takes up most of my day for now. I still can't get back on court yet, but I'm doing other types of training such as upper bodywork, cycling, swimming, and cross trainer. Once an athlete, always an athlete so I just can't sit still doing nothing," she disclosed.
What made you pick up squash racket in the first place?
My parents got divorced when I was seven, and my mum wanted me to pick up a sport to occupy my weekends. She gave me the option to choose between tennis and squash, and I picked squash so that's how it all started for me.
Can you tell us more about being a professional athlete?
Turning professional wasn't an easy decision for me to make. It is because being a professional athlete requires a lot of discipline and dedication to wake up every morning to train for six to seven hours a day, and for six days a week. For us, there's no such thing as public holiday because I still train during holidays, weekends, and festive periods. Taking care of our diets and nutrition are also very important.
In hindsight, have you ever thought about what it'd be like if you didn't turn professional?
I love coffee and would someday like to have my own little café. If I didn't turn professional, I think I'd have tried to materialise that plan sooner. However, squash is my main priority for now.
Your career requires you to travel quite a bit. Does it ever get lonely?
It can be at times because I mostly travel on my own. As I don't have much funding for my coach to travel with me for tournaments, more often than not I travel solo. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of long flights and transits, but I have to do what I got to do.

If there's one lesson that you've learned from playing squash, what would it be?
One lesson I've learned is that hard work does pay off. I've spent so many hours on court training – doing the same thing day in and day out to get to where I am today. It's all hard work and it will pay off.
What makes you happy?
Making a difference in someone else's life; it is very satisfying to get messages from friends and fans who are inspired by my journey, and that it motivates them in their daily life. Parents also look up to me as a role model for their kids.
Regardless of their past or childhood, I believe that everyone deserves to be successful whether it is in sports, career or education. Since I believe in second chances I have pledged to be an organ donor because I want to give someone else a chance to live their life and to make their own mark.