Sarah Fitz-Gerald

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Sarah Fitz-Gerald (born December 1, 1968) is an Australian squash player who is a perhaps the greatest of the 1990s, collecting five World Open titles – 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2002. She ranks alongside Susan Devoy, Michelle Martin and Heather McKay as the sport's greatest players.

[edit] Career

Sarah was born in Melbourne, Australia, a hotspot for squash talent. In 1987 she won the World Junior Championship and was the Australian Junior Female Athlete of the Year. She won numerous titles in the early 1990s, but 1996 proved to be her breakthrough year. She beat England's Cassie Jackman in the World Open Final. The next two years she beat the resurgent Michelle Martin in successive finals.

The next two years did not bring the same level of success, owing largely to knee surgery. In 2000 she lost an epic semi-final against Carol Owens. However, she came back in 2001 to beat New Zealand's Leilani Joyce emphatically 9-0, 9-3, 9-2.

2002 saw her win her last World Open, beating Natalie Pohrer 10-8, 9-3, 7-9, 9-7. She also won a gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England.

In January 2004, Sarah was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her achievements and services to women's squash, and the promotion of sport and a healthy lifestyle. She was Chairwoman and President of the Women's International Squash Players Association from 1991 to 2002.