Alex Haydon ends national junior squash events with seventh title, named finalist in School Sports awards
Alex Haydon has become the queen of junior national squash tournaments, winning her seventh title. But she is now looking forward to the challenge of moving into senior ranks next year.
- Squash star Alex Haydon features in Youth Olympics
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
Rival squash players are likely to soon breath sigh of relief as champion Alex Haydon won’t be terrorising them at future junior national titles.
Haydon, 18, finished her individual competition at the Australian Junior Squash Championships in Tasmania with a blistering performance, winning the under-19 women’s crown.
It was the rising star’s seventh national title.
But that is the end of Haydon’s long-time dominance of junior nationals as she moves into senior ranks next year.
Stream over 50 sports live and on demand with KAYO SPORTS. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract.Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
Haydon’s seven titles, which equals Squash Australia’s junior record, were won in
under-13s, two under-15s, two under-17s and now two under-19 crowns.
The Henley High School Year 12 said she was relaxed going in to the event but had to pull out all stops to beat fellow South Aussie Rema Muniandy in the final.
“One of my main goals this season was to try to win my seventh national title,’’ Haydon, also an SA Sports Institute scholar, said.
“Now that I have done that I am so proud.
“I wasn’t expecting to have any family here but I got a real surprise when my mum
Christine surprised me by coming to the titles.
“It hasn’t sunk in but I am really enjoying my squash.
Hayden’s selection on the Australian team was for the World Squash Federation (WSF)
World Doubles Championship in June this year.
She also captained the Australian Oceania team and last year she won the under-19
girls title at the Youth Olympics, beating New Zealand’s Anika Jackson in the final.
Hayden will compete at the British Junior Open in Birmingham after her Year 12 exams.
She is a finalist in the School Sports Awards, co-ordinated by the School Sports SA office and The Messenger.
Overall winners will be announced at the Sport SA and Hall of Fame dinner in the William Magarey Room, Adelaide Oval, at 6.30pm on Friday, November 22.