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Announcements EventsSquash and Serenity: An Unforgettable Weekend Getaway at a Connecticut Horse Farm
Open Squash members, get ready for an extraordinary weekend! Richard von Hirschberg, a lifelong squash enthusiast, is opening his stunning 96-acre horse farm in Connecticut for a two-day squash tournament on May 16th and 17th.
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Stories Announcements Touring ProsVictor Crouin: From Summer Camps to Olympic Dreams, Powered by Passion and Smart Play
French squash star and Open Squash Ambassador Victor Crouin joined us via Zoom recently from his training base in France to chat squash
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Stories Women & GirlsFrom 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.
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Resilience and Passion: Adel Sammons' Squash Story
Stories
Women & Girls
Boast About It - YouTube
Open Squash's Best Ever Medal Haul in the New York Squash League
Stories
Events
In Case You Missed It: Coach Josh Easdon on his Hashim Khan Documentary
Stories
Events
Doug Garr: From Wrestling Mats to Bumping Elbows on the Squash Court
Recapping the 2025 High School Nationals
Stories
Women & Girls
Growing the Game: 20 years at US Squash with Kevin Klipstein
Boast About It - YouTube
Stories
“Come Out and Play” — LGBTQ+ Round Robin at Open Squash
Stories
Events
Celebrating The Power and Passion of Women in Squash
Stories
Women & Girls
Events
Best of Luck At The Dublin Masters!
Stories
Never Give Up: My Journey Rehabbing an Injury and Returning to Squash
Stories
Stories
Touring Pros
Boast About It - YouTube
5 Aug 2024
“Be Tough To Beat”—A Winning Mindset in Squash, Broadcasting and Business
- With Nicole Bunyan, High World Ranking #39
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Stories
Touring Pros
2 Aug 2024
Inside The French Renaissance with Victor Crouin
Get an inside look at Victor Crouin’s amazing run to the final four of the 2024 Tournament of Champions in the new doc "Victor Crouin: The French Renaissance.
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Stories
Women & Girls
Boast About It - YouTube
29 Jul 2024
“Open Squash has the best Women’s Community in New York”
From Finance To Building Community and Co-Captaining Open Squash’s Women’s Program with Gillian Francis
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Stories
Women & Girls
Boast About It - YouTube
24 Jul 2024
Maddy Ramos: “Squash Changed my Life!”
Discover how Maddy Ramos, our Junior Program Lead at Open Squash, found her passion and changed her life through the sport of squash!
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Stories
Touring Pros
Boast About It - YouTube
2 Jul 2024
Gohar-d Or Go-Home!
World Champion Nouran Gohar Talks Focus, Egyptian/U.S. Squash, and Having Fun!
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Stories
Touring Pros
26 Jun 2024
Building Mental Resilience with Gina Kennedy
Gina Kennedy, current World #7, shares her journey from soccer fields to squash courts, resilience against formidable opponents, and the joy of coaching young talents at Open Squash’s summer camps.
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Stories
Touring Pros
6 Jun 2024
Making Squash More Entertaining For Everyone
"My motto is 'no more straight drives"
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Stories
Touring Pros
9 May 2024
Squash As A Learning Journey
How Open Squash-Sponsored Irish Pro Hannah Craig Is Rising Up The Rankings
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Women & Girls
Stories
30 Apr 2024
Squash Is a Great Sport For Writers
Nava Anne Grant, a 33-year-old writer, Open Squash member and creative coach from NYC, talks about how squash and writing connect. She's finding similarities between the tactics she uses on the court and those in her career.
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