Star Darwin squash player Rhys Dowling aiming for Commonwealth Games after Australian Open win, with fellow Top End stars Jessica Osborne and Joseph White

PROFESSIONAL squash player Rhys Dowling is still pinching himself two weeks on from claiming the Australian Open title in an all-Territorian final.

Darwin squash star Rhys Dowling wants to represent his country at the Commonwealth Games after winning the Australian Open earlier this month. Picture: Felicity Elliott

PROFESSIONAL squash player Rhys Dowling is still pinching himself two weeks on from claiming the Australian Open title in an all Territorian final.

The final which took place at Bega Country Club in NSW on February 7 saw Rhys Dowling take on his close friend and fellow Territorian the top-seeded Joseph White.

Dowling would go on to win the historic all Territory final in straight sets, suggesting he’s now playing his best squash.

And Dowling didn’t slow down from there, winning the men’s doubles alongside Queensland’s Matthew Hopkins and placing fourth in the mixed doubles alongside NSW’s Tamika Hunt.

“I’m definitely proud to have won this title and fulfil a lifelong dream of mine,” Dowling told the NT News.

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“I’m over the moon and it hasn’t sunk in yet almost two weeks later that I’m now the best in Australia.

“This is my second PSA title. There have been a few hiccups along the way with injuries and last year with COVID-19 bringing everything to a halt, but I’m now back to playing my best squash.”

The 25-year-old admitted he was confident heading into the final following a tournament where he had only dropped one game.

Northern Territory squash players Jessica Osborne and Joseph White represented their region well at the Australian Open earlier this month.

And against White – who has previously played in Europe – it was about using his natural game of speed and agility to get the better of a foe he knew well.

“There was confidence going into that final playing my close friend Joseph,” Dowling said.

“I’ve not lost to him before so there’s quite a big rivalry between us. But he came in as the number one seed and deserved his spot in the final.

“It’s good to see him back playing in Australia looking solid which made things a bit nervy heading into the game.

“I just used my natural game of speed and agility against him bringing plenty of intensity.”

Jessica Osborne was another Territory athlete to put in a big display in the Australia Open, losing only to former world No.1 and eventual title winner Rachael Grinham in the quarter-finals.

The three Territorians will now have the NT Open in May on their mind, with Dowling in particular looking ahead to selections for next year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

“There’s a couple more tournaments in Brisbane and then the NT Open in May where I will come up to see my parents,” Dowling said.

“But selections into next year’s Commonwealth Games are the big aim so I just need to get as many wins under my belt.

“The Darwin Squash Centre is one of the best in the country with some good air-conditioning. I couldn’t be more grateful and there’s plenty of good juniors coming through.”