Courtside with Jenny Duncalf and Natalie Grainger

Elizabeth Pacheco Sports Editor

During the Vassar College Class of 1932 WISPA Tournament, The Miscellany News talked with Natalie Grainger and Jenny Duncalf, the second and third seeds, respectively. Born in the United States, but primarily raised in South Africa, Grainger is now based in Washington, D.C. and is currently ranked fifth in the world. In June 2003 she was ranked first on the WISPA tour, and in 2005 won the Vassar College tournament. Duncalf hasn’t played in the Vassar tournament since 2004 when she lost in the semi-finals. Ranked 12th in the world, she grew up in Yorkshire, England, where she currently lives and trains. Her highest ranking was in March 2005 when she broke through into the top 10. The players talked with us about their experiences with squash, as well as what they hope to accomplish this season.

The Miscellany News: How did you first become involved in playing squash?

Jenny Duncalf: I started when I was younger, around nine years old. My parents played at a local squash club and I just began to play in tournaments in Yorkshire and gradually progressed.

Natalie Grainger: I grew up in South Africa where my parents were in a squash club. When I was two-and-a-half, my mom taught me. I even learned how to count with a squash ball. The club was a home away from home for me.

MN: What are your goals for this season?

JD: I’m [ranked] 12th at the moment, so I want to get back in the top eight and win a few big [tournaments]. The World Open at Madrid is coming up. I did horrendously there in the past, so I want to try to improve.

NG: I’ve been in the finals of the World Open and the British Open, but never won. I’m currently ranked fifth and was briefly at number one. It would be nice to get into the top four. Madrid, Qatar and Hong Kong are the next three pretty major events, so I want to do well.

MN: How do you prepare for a major tournament?

JD: You gear up with training and try and peak for the tournament. It’s hard when there are three big tournaments in the row like now [World Open, Qatar Classic and Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open] and we’ll only have two-and-a-half to three weeks to train. Sometimes it can be hard to keep the training up when you need to travel globally for tournaments.

MN: When you’re not competing in a tournament, what is your training schedule like?

JD: I usually play for two sessions in a day that amount to about four hours.

NG: The actual amount of time play really isn’t much, but there’s a lot of preparation.

MN: What do you like about being on tour?

JD: I’m pretty fortunate to be on tour. It’s an opportunity to show people what you can do.

NG: I like that there is some traveling and the chance to meet new people. It’s fun to perform and show your abilities. It’s like after you hit the perfect golf ball and you want [to] keep coming back for more.

MN: When you’re not playing squash what do you like to do with your time?

JD: Not much really, just hang out with friends.

NG: Catch up with friends: I’m big into food, wine and playing golf and tennis.