Ona Prokes, Director of Operations & Head of Marketing at Open Squash, grew up surrounded by racquet sports. Her parents owned a pro shop at a raquet club, and she quickly found her passion in squash, starting at age nine.
Ona's parents, both from Eastern Europe, instilled a love of racket sports in her from a young age. "Growing up," Ona said, "I always had a little balloon around or a little ball and like a mini tennis racket of some sort." Though her parents were heavily involved in tennis — her father Roman was Andre Agassi’s racket stringer for many years — Ona found her calling in squash. "Squash was very weird to me at first, obviously, as it is for most people, being in this enclosed box and being able to hit off the walls," she says. But her determination and natural hand-eye coordination propelled her to the top of the junior rankings.
As a player, Ona describes herself as a "pitbull" and "very eager to just get after things." Her playing style reflects this determination and tenacity. She is known for her powerful hitting and aggressive play, often surprising opponents with her strength and speed.
Squash played a pivotal role in Ona's college decision. "I wanted to go to a school where I could play on a team," she explains, "and kind of give something to a team and not necessarily just be on some dominating team, but actually start kind of a trend within a program." She ultimately chose Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, where she thrived both academically and athletically.
Ona with her team at Drexel University (men's & women's), plus Head Coach, John White
After graduating, Ona's passion for squash led her to a position at the Specter Center, the home of US Squash. She started as an Operations Assistant and eventually transitioned into Marketing, a field she found she was truly passionate about. Now at Open Squash, Ona continues to promote the sport and its benefits.
Ona believes that squash marketing should focus on showcasing the sport's athleticism and excitement. "I don't like seeing the content where it's just someone standing there and then you just see white around and they're just hitting a ball," she says. Instead, she advocates for dynamic videos that capture the intensity and movement of the game.
Looking ahead, Ona is excited about the potential of squash in the Olympics. "I'm hoping that it gets broadcasted as well," she says. "Hopefully, more people then see it and then are interested in just squash as a whole."
Ona's dedication to squash is evident in her work at Open Squash. She encourages everyone to try the sport, regardless of age or experience level. "Whether you're a child or you have a child or you're 80 years old, squash can do so much for you," she says. "Having the community of people around here, I think especially at Open Squash, is super special."
Ona's approach to squash emphasizes both the mental and physical aspects of the game. She believes that core strength and agility are crucial for success on the court. "It's all about core, everything is core and twisting and turning," she says. Ona also highlights the importance of having a strong mental game and the ability to stay focused under pressure.
Ona sees a bright future for squash in New York City and can't wait to help the game grow wider in America. Recently she put together the inaugural Open Squash Classic tournament, a bronze tournament on the Professional Squash Association tour that attracted some of the biggest names in the game. She worked long hours to make sure everything went smoothly, and she can’t wait to build on last year’s success.
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Ona!