Squashing distractions

The impeccable style, sharp looks and unadulterated glamour can leave one astounded. And she can fit into any Bollywood stage, but this charismatic girl from Chennai, Dipika Pallikal, who has made a name for herself in squash, wants to get to the court and enrich her ranking.

“I’ve been getting calls from various fields, but I want to remain serious about squash,” said Dipika, who sets off to the United States for various tournaments from January 11 onwards.
Dipika, who had taken a break from the game last month, will start with the Silver tournament to be held in New York from January 25 to 28.

“It is the year opener and it will not be an easy outing,” said Dipika, adding that the world’s top players would be seen in action at the JP Morgan tournament of Champions.

Nicol David preferred to stay away from this championship, as she is preparing for the Melbourne Gold tournament likely to be held in March.

“These tournaments will help me enrich my ranking which is my top priority now. I lost out on the ranking last year, but this season I will participate in most of the championships,” said Dipika, a student of English literature at Chennai’s Ethiraj College.

Dipika has a tight schedule this year: the WISPA Silver champion in New York followed by the Glo Greenwide Open and later the Winnipeg championship in Canada. “I’ve to make it, as I have taken a challenge and want to improve on my ranking,” said Dipika, who will also attend a training camp at the Pyramid club with Amir Wagihe, her Egyptian coach.