IN THE NAME OF GIVING BACK

Just like she was given the opportunity to realise her potential so many years ago, Datuk Nicol David now casts her eye to nurturing the next generation of budding talents

- Elizabeth Soong

So what’s it’s like in the day of Datuk Nicol Ann David nowadays, I ask. One would think that the record-breaking World No 1 squash champion would miss being playing competitively, as she’s done professionally for nearly 20 years of her life but she dismisses the idea with an empathetic shake of her head. “I’m so happy I’m not competing anymore. I know what it takes, not just playing it but the training that goes into it. I did like the travelling… but I can travel now without my rackets and actually visit places. I’ve been to some cities but I hardly got to visit the museums and see some cool sights but now I can!” she says with a little laugh.

A feeling of contentment seems to emanate from her. “I feel freer now,” she says conspiratorially. “The very first time I woke up in the morning after I retired, I felt free. I wasn’t like stuck in a place where I had to do my training because that was all I did for so long.”

The 38-year-old now happily spends her time between Malaysia and Colombia, after moving there for altitude training a few years ago. A typical day for her involves a leisurely breakfast, taking in work-related meetings, and fitting in a little workout in the afternoon—being a big foodie, she jokes, “I still have to keep fit if I’m in Malaysia too much! Plus it keeps my mind sane.” And unless there’s a motivational talk she needs to do, you can find her chilling and relaxing at home.