Malaysia's squash star Sivasangari Subramaniam: From fractured neck to beating the World No. 1
In an exclusive interview with Olympics.com, the Malaysian squash ace reveals how a life-threatening car accident changed her outlook on life, the lessons she learned from Nicol David.
Squash
Sivasangari Subramaniam embodies the philosophy that major setbacks can make you stronger.
In 2022, the Malaysian was enjoying a rapid rise in the world of squash and preparing for the 2022 Commonwealth Games when disaster struck.
She was involved in a serious traffic accident that left her with a fractured neck, and question marks over whether she would ever walk again.
But through a combination of determination and mental skills learnt as an elite athlete, she not only got back on the court, but became an even better player.
Just two years later, she experienced the finest moment of her career to date in defeating World No. 1 Nour El Sherbini in the quarter-finals of the 2024 London Classic, en route to winning the event.
It was a simply inspirational sporting moment, and a triumph against significant odds.
**“**I have always believed in hard work. So I was putting in all the work every day, even when I could barely turn my neck. There were times where I doubted myself. A lot of times, actually, I was telling myself it's going to work. I tried to just stay as positive as I could. I think just the passion, the love for the sport kept me going,” Subramaniam told Olympics.com.
Sivasangari Subramaniam of Malaysia competes against Joelle King of New Zealand during the Squash Womens Singles at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.
Following in Nicol David's footsteps
To discover how Subramaniam was able to climb to the top table to squash despite her serious accident, one must first understand her background.
A talented athlete growing up in Kedah, Malaysia, she played squash, badminton, and also practised taekwondo and swimming.
But her sporting hero at the time was Malaysian squash legend Nicol David, and she decided to commit to the same sport.
“I always looked up to Nicol David. She was already the legend of the game during that time," she continued.
"Squash suited me because it’s a very competitive sport, it's tough physically and also mentally. When I was younger, I didn't really see the mental part of it at the time, but I think it was just a fun game. It didn’t matter to me that it wasn’t an Olympic sport as it was so exciting.
Sivasangari Subramaniam of Malaysia (L) competes against Nicol David of Malaysia (R) during Women's Squash Singles Final at the Asian Games on August 26, 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Sivasangari Subramaniam: Squash is like chess
The mental fortitude required to play squash at the higher level cannot be understated.
Players must learn how to fake with their eyes, and plan one or two shots in advance in a very confined space that leaves participants gasping for air and, often, pools of sweat on the floor.
In addition, players must avoid bumping into their opponent or being hit by a flailing racket. Squash is certainly not for the faint-hearted.
“What differentiates the top players is mostly mental strength because I think everyone in the world can be physically fit,” she continued.
“Squash is tough mentally, physically, and tactically as well - it covers all areas. Going in with a gameplan is so important, it’s like chess. If you get your gameplan wrong you’re going to struggle, and will have to find a different way to win.
This mental resilience was put to the test in 2022, when a car accident left her struggling to walk, let alone play squash again.
But just like in her squash career, she set herself goals, and focussed all of her energy on small, daily improvements.
Despite the roller-coaster of emotions she experienced on a daily basis during this period, Subramaniam remained disciplined, and would always show up to rehab.
“But I've always had the discipline to go for training and do whatever my coaches say as a squash player. After the accident my daily routine changed a lot. It was strange not playing squash but little by little I could visualise when I could get on court.
"I was doing everything I could to get back to my previous level. As long as I knew that I’d tried my best, that's what mattered most to me" - Sivasangari Subramaniam to Olympics.com
A new mentality and increased confidence
Eventually, the athlete returned to competitive action, playing for Cornell University in the U.S.
Despite not being 100 percent fit, she was simply grateful to be back on court, doing what she loved best in life.
“It has made me see a couple of things differently. I have improved mentally because if I can get through that, I can get through other things too. Coming back from that was never easy. The road to become where I am today was not smooth at all. So whenever I have all these challenges, I always try to think back and be grateful for that moment and try not to dwell on whatever it is that I’m going through.”
Armed with a new outlook on life and the new confidence gained in her mental fortitude through her rehabilitation, Subramaniam set about getting back to the top table of squash.
Then, in March 2024, she caused shockwaves around the squash world in beating Egyptian World No. 1 Nour El Sherbini in the quarter-finals, before going on to win the whole thing.
“It was tough to believe at first that I won the whole tournament. It took time for me to really digest it. But it made me realise that if you put in the work, and put your mind to something, you can achieve anything. After beating these top players, I feel like nothing's impossible."
Subramaniam's amazing recovery, combined with her brilliant achievements have increased her profile off the court too.
A month after winning the London Classic, she was profiled in Tatler Asia - something that took the player totally by surprise, but is indicative of her, and squash’s, growing status in the world.
However, while a growing profile will certainly provide opportunities for the Malaysian, she will certainly be keeping her feet on the ground - a lesson she learned from Nicol David.
“I've travelled with her to a couple of tournaments, towards the end of her journey and the start of my senior career. And I've asked her a lot of questions and learned from her," Subramaniam said.
“She’s such a humble and nice person on and off the court. So I think, it's something that I always want to follow and want to be like, but, yeah, I think just a good role model and, a good, inspiration to, especially to all the squash players, in Malaysia."
Squash to debut at Olympic Games LA 2028
Subramaniam’s rise to the top of the sport couldn’t have been better timed, and one opportunity she may receive that David never did is to play at the Olympic Games.
Squash will make its Games debut at LA 2028, and the 25-year-old will be hopeful of adding an Olympic medal to her rapidly increasing list of accolades.
Having competed in the U.S. at college level, the Malaysian knows how exciting an opportunity this is for squash to grow.
“It was huge news for me for all the squash players to get squash into the Olympics. It's such a game changer and it’s huge in the U.S. with many colleges like mine having big programmes.
“These will now get even bigger, not only in the States but a lot of countries will now be putting more effort into their squash federations. I just really hope to qualify in four years."
Until now, badminton has been the most popular racket sport in Malaysia, a sport in which the Southeast Asian nation has experienced plenty of success in.
But squash also enjoys good popularity, and with an Olympic medal now up for grabs, the gap between the two sports may well decrease.
“We have a lot of good upcoming junior players who look up to a few good senior players on the tour as well. It is definitely getting more popular now and I can't wait to see what we will do in the future."