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Mike Chan

Lisa Aitken’s long-awaited return to match play after two years out with a career-threatening knee injury ended after just two matches – but her enforced time off the court has given her a new awareness of the game.
The Scottish world No 165 saw her adventure at the Hong Kong Squash Open ended in the second round by Egypt’s Rowan Elaraby, who beat her 11-1, 11-6, 11-7 in 30 minutes at the Squash Centre in Admiralty on Tuesday.
But the veteran said she felt pleased coming off the court “not feeling tired and had not hurt myself”.
“I don’t think, even a week ago, I had the confidence or the trust in my body just yet,” she said. “I’ve not reached that in practice yet at home, playing two back-to-back matches.
“It was a bit unknown what would happen, but I felt quite good out there and wanted it to keep going.”
Aitken, whose career-high ranking is No 21, underwent three surgeries after rupturing her anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments, while also tearing the meniscus, during a match in late 2022.

The comeback victory over Hong Kong’s Tomato Ho Tze-lok on Monday was her first full Professional Squash Association tour match in just over two years, having last completed a match – a third-round loss – at the 2022 edition.
“I’ve come back today and yesterday with a lot of gratitude to just be able to play pain free, to be able to fight, to be able to be in the mix,” the 34-year-old from Dundee said. “Put the dress on, and have a referee call your name, that’s so cool.
“I think we get caught up in the bubble, and we take that for granted a lot. So if I can keep hold of the gratitude and carry that forward, I think I’m going to really enjoy the rest of my career.”
Spending time as a commentator for PSA’s Squash TV over the past two years has also given the left-hander some new perspectives, and she admitted to learning more than from her playing days.
“It kept me in the game; it’s a different way to view squash and it’s taught me a lot,” said Aitken, who will now resume her role in the commentary box.. “It helped keep me up to date and know what’s required when you study it differently.
“I think it’s improved my squash IQ a little bit – I feel a bit more intelligent about what shot [to play], when and where the space is, and a bit more awareness.”
Aitken said she still had unfinished business regarding her ranking.
“I was No 21 in the world [when I got injured] and it’s been a lifelong goal to be top 20 in the world,” she said. “So just being so close, yet so far away [was what kept me going].”
Aitken added that she also had the Olympics in her sights, despite the fact she will be 38 when the Los Angeles Games opens.
“We’ve gone through years of trying, years of rejection, so when you live with hope for so long, and then it comes along, I’d be silly to say I’m not going to give it a go,” said the former world championships mixed-doubles bronze medallist.
In the nearer term, Aitken hopes to play in the Tournament of Champions in New York from January 23 to 30.
“I’m a reserve at the moment but hopefully I can get into that event, and that gives me a nice six, seven weeks to build up that match-play practice.”
In later matches, No 5 seed Karim Gawad of Egypt became the only seeded casualty after losing 3-1 to countryman Youssef Ibrahim.
Men’s and women’s top seeds Ali Farag and Nour El Sherbini, as well as tournament fourth seed Peruvian Diego Elias, also made it through to Thursday’s quarter-finals, which will be played at Edinburgh Place, as will subsequent rounds.


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Hong Kong Squash Open

Hong Kong Squash Open: Scottish veteran Lisa Aitken returns wiser after long injury lay-off

Lisa Aitken lost to Egypt’s Rowan Elaraby at the Squash Centre in Admiralty on Tuesday. Photo: Handout

The Open venue will move to Edinburgh Place from the quarter-finals on Thursday. Photo: Handout

Squash, set for 2028 Olympics, awaiting inclusion into next year’s National Games programme

Hong Kong’s top player, Tomato Ho (right), lost to Scotland’s Lisa Aitken in the first round of the Hong Kong Squash Open. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Yeung Tak-keung watching the action at the Hong Kong Squash Open in Admiralty on Monday. Photo: Mike Chan

World’s best players prepare to clash in Hong Kong at team squash championships

Hania El Hammamy (left) and Nour El Sherbini battle it out in the final of the 2023 Hong Kong Squash Open. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong players (from left) Henry Leung, Alex Lau, Tong Tsz-wing and Tomato Ho will represent the city at next month’s WSF World Squash Team Championships. Photo: Handout

Alex Lau, Hong Kong’s top squash player, has learned a lot from a lifetime in the sport, but says he is still evolving

For Alex Lau, who has been training at the Hong Kong Sports Institute since he was 16, squash squash is mainly a ‘battle of wits’. Photo: Handout

The 28-year-old Lau reached a career-best No 41 for a couple of months last year. Photo: Handout

Lau’s goal is to reach the heights achieved by follow Hongkonger Max Lee, whose top ranking was world No 12. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong Football Club chief lauds ‘long-term target’ of securing Squash World Team Championships

HKFC chairman Neil Jensen is delighted at winning the right to host Squash World Team Championships. Photo: HKFC

Hong Kong Football Club will host the combined WSF World Team Championships in December. Photo: HKFC

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The former world No 21 says she has learned much from being out for 2 years with a career-threatening injury – but has ‘unfinished business’


The former world No 21 says she has learned much from being out for 2 years with a career-threatening injury – but has ‘unfinished business’.


Hong Kong Squash Open: Scottish veteran Lisa Aitken returns wiser after long injury lay-off

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The former world No 21 says she has learned much from being out for 2 years with a career-threatening injury – but has ‘unfinished business’

The former world No 21 says she has learned much from being out for 2 years with a career-threatening injury – but has ‘unfinished business’