From Brazilian Champion to NYC Squash and Fitness Coach: Thaisa Serafini's Squash Journey

In our latest Boast About It interview we dive into the inspiring story of Thaisa Serafini, a powerhouse in the squash world. With over 23 years of experience, nine Brazilian National Championship titles, and a passion for fitness and coaching, Thaisa brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as Assistant Coach and Head of Fitness at Open Squash.

Thaisa shared her journey, starting from her early days in Brazil. "I started when I was 10 years old," she recalls. Interestingly, she also played a bit of padel, but woul ultimately "choose squash, of course." Her ambition was clear from a young age: "When I was a little kid, I was already like, ‘I want to be like a professional player.’"

Thaisa's path wasn't typical. While many aspiring pros focus on junior tournaments, Thaisa found herself competing in adult tournaments at a very young age. "I was 11," she says. "I remember I played like one of my first tournaments I played against this lady and I could not return the serve. It was a disaster, of course. And then I was crying. But here I am, I'm survived." This experience, though challenging, shaped her resilience. "I didn't play many juniors. I started playing professional when I was 15," she explains.

Despite not having extensive junior tournament experience, Thaisa went on to dominate the Brazilian squash scene, winning nine consecutive Brazilian national titles as an adult. 

Later in her career, Thaisa joined the PSA tour, but a bit later than some, at 24. She remembers her first PSA tournament in Canada vividly. "Oh my God, I lost! I lost in my first round." Despite the initial setback, she persevered. "I played like three or four tournaments. All like small tournaments, like 5K, 10K." To support her career, she even took a part-time job. "I said, oh, if I need to get a part-time job, I will do it, because all I want is to play in the circuit." Eventually, she won tournaments in Argentina, Ecuador, and Brazil.

Transitioning from professional player to coach wasn't an easy decision. "That's a very hard decision to make," Thaisa admits. “I was resisting coaching because always my first goal was to be a professional player and to get to be as best as I can," she said. But the pandemic and an ankle injury ultimately led her to make the shift. "I had a little injury that started to bother me a lot,” she said. “I wasn't really able to keep up the training.”

Now at Open Squash, Thaisa is passionate about fitness and its importance in squash. "How long do you want to be playing squash?" she asks rhetorically. "’Til I'm locked in a coffin!" 

She emphasizes that fitness "will help you to maintain your body, right? To prevent injuries." For those starting squash, she advises, "I think you definitely should add fitness because it will to teach you how to avoid injury. For example the warm-up, mobility, stretching, all those things matter." 

For regular players, Thaisa recommends at least two complementary physical training sessions a week, focusing on "a circuit" with "mobility exercises, and then they cardio, and then usually strength exercises like squats and lunges."

Thaisa is also dedicated to promoting the women's game. "I think Open Squash is doing a really great job of promoting the women’s game," she says. She encourages women: "Don't get scared!"

Thaisa's journey is a testament to passion, perseverance, and the love of squash. Her experience and dedication make her an invaluable asset to the squash community. Thanks for sharing your story with us, Thaisa! 

You can watch the video version of this interview here.