Delia Arnold retires

PETALING JAYA: Delia Arnold has dropped a bombshell after announcing her retirement from professional squash.

The world No. 17 and national No. 2 tendered her resignation to the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) director Mejar (Rtd) S. Maniam on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old who has been crowned national champion twice (2015 and 2016) will part ways with the national set-up immediately.

Delia who reached a career high world No. 12 in September 2015 will also pull out from the upcoming Tournament of Champions (TOC) in New York in which she was initially drawn to meet world No. 11 Sarah-Jane Perry of England in the first round.

Her last tournament was the Women’s World Team Championship in Paris in which Malaysia could only finish a disappointing sixth.

Delia, who led Malaysia to a record ninth Asian Team Championships title last May, however believes the time is right for her to quit.

“I’ve had a long career and I’ve decided that I’ve had enough and it’s time to move on with my life,” said Delia who has been with SRAM since she was 13.

Delia’s decision to hang up her racquet is certainly a big loss to Malaysia leaves eight-time world champion Nicol David, 33, as the only active senior women’s player in the national team.

National No. 3 Low Wee Wern is also out of action with a long-term knee injury and it’s a blow to Malaysia’s chances of retaining their two-gold medals at the 2018 Asian Games.