Catching Up With “The Whirlwind”: Gina Kennedy

At Open Squash, we are dedicated to making the game accessible to everyone, regardless of age, gender, or financial means. Part of that mission involves sharing the inspiring stories of incredible athletes who embody the spirit of resilience and passion for squash. We're thrilled to feature Gina Kennedy, current World #9 in the women's game, who has been wearing Open Squash’s logo on her shirts at PSA events for a few seasons now, and teaches at our thriving summer squash camps.

Gina’s journey to the top of the squash world is a testament to her mental fortitude and dedication, shaped by unique experiences both on and off the court.

From Track Star to Squash Court: The Early Years and Mental Battle

Before she became a squash sensation, Gina Kennedy was a formidable runner and soccer player. She played soccer for Crystal Palace until she was 12 and even held the boys' and girls' records for 1200-meter races at under-13, winning the London Mini Marathon. Gina even trained under Olympic gold medalist Dina Asher-Smith at Blackheath and Bromley Harriers. She recalls always dreaming of being an Olympian, feeling like she was "born to be a runner".

However, this early success came with a significant psychological toll. Gina told us, “I was expected to win every race, and when I told people I was nervous they would disregard it, saying ‘you’re going to win so easily’, and yet I lived in fear for weeks before every race”. This immense pressure led to extreme anxiety: “It would just freak me out because then it made me feel like if I were to lose everyone would be so shocked it would be like the end of the world because obviously when you're nine years old it's like you internalize a lot of things”. She even resorted to drastic measures to avoid competing, stating, “As a 12-year-old girl I would say I was injured rather than go through the nerves of competing”. At one point, she vividly remembers scratching her ankle raw at school to create an excuse not to compete.

Luckily for her, she says, a plantar fasciitis injury provided Gina with an "excuse not to run". It was then, at age 13, that she began to play squash more seriously.

A New Path: Squash as a "Joyful Pastime"

Unlike running, squash started as a "joyful pastime" for Gina. She found a different kind of motivation and pressure. “I never felt that intense pressure with squash,” she explains, adding, “I never, I've never felt that kind of intense, ‘this is gonna be the end of the world if I lose’ kind of feeling. But it's interesting to think what made me so successful as a squash player was, I hated losing so much!” This intrinsic drive, coupled with less debilitating anxiety, allowed her to flourish.

Gina quickly found success in squash, winning English and British Championships in every age group from under 13s to under 19s. Despite not training with the same volume as some current juniors, she put "everything I had into every session".

Harvard, Professional Circuit, and the Unexpected Rise

Gina studied psychology at Harvard University, where she trained under Harvard Squash Coach Mike Way. Initially, she didn't plan to turn professional, wanting to explore her identity beyond being an athlete. She recalls, “I felt like I was Gina the athlete, you know, and I didn’t really know who I was outside of squash or outside of being a good athlete”.

However, an internship in London during her second year of college provided a pivotal realization. She found herself constantly thinking about playing squash, desperate to train and play after work. “I just realized this is actually what I love to do, I don’t know why I’m fighting it,” she decided, committing to the pro circuit after graduation.

When Gina graduated from Harvard in 2020, she transitioned rapidly from being ranked in the high 300s to reaching the top 10. This rapid ascent brought its own set of challenges. “I’m seeing the downsides, the potential downsides of that trajectory,” she shared. Unlike players who experience a more gradual rise and learn from losses, Gina had consistent positive reinforcement: “I was just always getting positive reinforcement all the time… Everything was great. You know, what I'm doing is good. Don't need to change anything then it got to a point like kind of straight away where I just wasn't as successful anymore. Didn't know why. What's happening? I'm just not used to it”.

Gina reached her highest ever ranking of fifth in the world, just after winning the Manchester Open in June 2024.

The Relentless Pursuit

Despite her success, Gina faces significant challenges. At 27, she's catching up on "squash years" against top Egyptian players who have trained with professional intensity since childhood. She recognizes that reaching the absolute top level requires making up "a lot of squash minutes".

She also highlighted the difficulty of progressing from the top 10 to the top 4:“Those top four seemed reachable for me because I was like, hey, well if I’ve done the other steps, then this next step will be just as simple. And it’s not, it is absolutely not”. She sometimes feels she is "regressing".

Perhaps one of the most remarkable aspects of Gina's resilience is her battle with Ulcerative Colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease she was diagnosed with in 2017. This condition caused severe pain, anxiety, and isolation, flaring up significantly after her Commonwealth Games win in 2022.

“I look back now and I’m on different medication and I haven’t had a flare-up since August 2024. Touch wood. And I look back and I just can’t believe how I would be training or doing the things that I was doing with that kind of debilitating disease,” Gina confessed. The condition dictated much of her life, making simple activities like taking the subway or meeting friends for coffee stressful. “Warming up for a match would be intensely stressful because I didn’t… when I step on the court, obviously, I’m vulnerable I can’t just run off… so there would just be that intense fear all the time,” she explained. Yet, she adapted, finding ways to train and compete through it all.

Harvard's Head Squash Coach Mike Way, who was "pivotal in getting me the care that I needed" for her colitis, believes Gina has "three levels to go yet" in her game, including technical improvements, tactical clarity, and game planning.

Olympic Dreams and New Goals

Currently ranked world number nine, Gina’s immediate goal for the next season is to “solidify myself in the top eight again” and “win a title again”. She is focusing on "more smaller, more achievable goals," emphasizing that results come from "putting in the work".

Beyond that, all eyes are on the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, where squash will make its debut. This fulfills a lifelong dream for Gina, who initially thought her Olympic aspirations ended when she stopped running. With only 16 players qualifying, she acknowledges the challenge: “It’s going to be very hard to qualify. There’s lots of really good talent in Great Britain who are going to be fighting for those spots, so I’ve just got to try and keep trying to make myself better every day and hopefully I can have a chance to qualify for the Olympics”.

Gina Kennedy's journey exemplifies the profound connection between physical and mental strength in elite sports. Her story of overcoming intense pressure, navigating rapid success, and competing while managing a serious health condition truly embodies mental resilience.

We are incredibly proud to have Gina Kennedy as an Open Squash Ambassador and coach for our junior summer camps in July. Her insights and dedication inspire our entire community! Thanks for taking the time with us, Gina.