The VIS, a government funded 'excellence in sport' program, will celebrate its tenth (10th) birthday, at the new Colonial Stadium in Melbourne Australia. At the conclusion of each year, an athlete is awarded 'Athlete of the Year".
Sarah received that honour in 1998 in recognition of her third world open and fourth world team championship titles.
Fitz-Gerald was unable to defend her three consecutive Women's World Squash Championship wins, because of an eight (8) month enforced absence due to cartilage damage to her left knee.
Fitz-Gerald returned to the world tour in mid December 1999, seeking to climb back to the top of the women's game. Fitz-Gerald commented, " My rehabilitation program has given me the best possible preparation to retaining the World Championship later in 2000, and regaining my world number one ranking'. Fitz-Gerald slipped to No 58, but has reached No 18 after three tournament wins - the Glidden and Greenwich Opens, both in Connecticut, USA in January 2000, and The Rosebowl Classic at Thame, England in February.
Fitz-Gerald will return to Europe only two (2) weeks after receiving this honour to continue her training and fulfil several promotional commitments for her sponsor Dunlop, and compete in the Bavarian Open, Munich, Germany from 10-16 April. Sarah Fitz-Gerald, is a professional squash player from Melbourne, Australia.
Sarah is three-times World Squash Champion and winner of thirty-two (33) Women's International Squash Player Association (WISPA) World Tour titles, making her the most successful present day player. After holding the #1 ranking position unbroken for two (2) years, Sarah underwent knee surgery in December 1998 and May 1999, returning to competition in 2000 winning the WISPA Glidden Open and Greenwich Open in the USA, and Rosebowl Classic in England. Sarah Fitz-Gerald is the current president of WISPA, and her principal equipment sponsors are Dunlop rackets and Hi-Tec shoes.
For further information, visit www.squashtalk.com/sarahfitz
or email: sarah_fitz_press@mindspring.com
12th March 2000
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