Squash world record holder Sandra Denis has taken her extraordinary career to new heights by making her PSA Tour debut at the age of 53.
Denis has become something of a cult figure on the pages of this magazine in recent years as we have followed her ongoing duel with Dave Norman for the title of the world's most prolific national squash champion.
Denis has won the Luxembourg National Championships an incredible 23 times, matching the tally of Dave Norman who is a 23-time national champion of the Isle of Man.
Denis' trophy haul includes a run of 19 in a row between 1997-2016, a consecutive total rivalled only by Austria's Aqeel Rehman who hit the same milestone in February this year.
Sadly, neither Norman or Denis was able to add to their record-breaking tally this year, with Norman missing the Isle of Man Nationals in March due to injury and Denis losing to Enas Mohamed in the women's final of the Luxembourg Nationals in February.
However, there was a significant consolation for Denis last mont (November) when she was offered the unexpected opportunity to play on the PSA Tour.
When several players pulled out of the Open des Elles de l'Est $6k PSA Challenger event in Nancy, France, tournament organiser Christopher Votion (who is also National Technical Director for the Luxembourg Squash Federation) put out an emergency call for stand-in players.
Denis answered that call, made the hour's drive across the border into eastern France and soon found herself knocking up alongside Belgian international Chloé Crabbé - a player 33 years her junior - in the first round. Alas, her maiden appearance on the pro circuit was a fleeting affair; she lost 11-2, 11-5, 11-4 in 14 minutes.
"It was an unfortunate thing for the players who dropped out of the draw but a very lucky thing for me!" Denis told Squash Player. "I was very, very pleased to get the opportunity.
"It didn't really sink in that it was a PSA-level tournament with professional players. They must have seen my name and wondered, 'Who is that?'
"My opponent tried to make me look good but she also wanted to save her energy for the next round. It was quite a short experience but a lovely experience nonetheless. At my age, it might be a difficult one for me to repeat."
Now into her 54th year, Denis (who works for the Luxembourg Ministry of Finance as an indirect tax policy adviser) adheres to a regimented weekly training, fitness and competition schedule.
She represents Luxembourg in the European Division 3 Team Championships every year and is determined to mount another challenge for national title no.24 next February.
Standing in her way is 40-year-old compatriot Enas Mohamed, who beat her in this year's nationals final in straight games.
"I was just coming back from an injury and wasn't at my best," says Denis.
"I am training hard in order to be at my best for the next Nationals, to see if I can make her work harder for it, or take it away from her.
"But she is also working hard and is very motivated. The fact that she is now beating me is giving her a very big push. Enas is investing a lot of time into her squash. I am not pessimistic but I am realistic about my chance of taking another title next year."
Earlier this year, the Luxembourg Squash Federation appointed Finn Tomi Niinimäki as new national coach. He asked each member of the national team whether they could step up their commitment levels.
"He urged us to look hard in the mirror and ask ourselves if we are worthy of representing Luxembourg," reveals Denis. "It was an interesting question. Compared to other people, I put quite a lot of effort into it, but I'm not sure I could do more. I'll have to think about it.
"This kind of honest exchange brings me to the question of whether I should say goodbye to a very beautiful career in international women's squash in Luxembourg and go back to club squash and team matches?
"The body is sometimes groaning a little bit, and I am having to put more and more effort into it.
"With all the articles you've written about me, I now have a reputation! I put extra pressure on myself too, so there are quite a few challenges.
"But the adrenaline and endorphins is the rewarding part of it and I don't know how I would replace this if I stopped."
Squash Player hopes that Sandra continues her extraordinary squash career and wishes her good luck in the Luxembourg National Championships in February 2026.
