Wen Li won’t whine for being left out

Hungry for titles: Lai Wen Li (left) will play her first tournament this year at the national junior championships starting on Wednesday.

PETALING JAYA: National junior squash player Lai Wen Li is not one to let rejection get to her.

After being left out of the prestigious British Junior Open and Asian Junior Team Cham­pion­ships last month, the 18-year-old wants to bounce back by making a mark in her final National Junior Championships starting on Wednesday at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil.

The Squash Racquets Association of Malaysian (SRAM) did not choose Wen Li for the two tournaments because priority was given to players who have been targeted to shine at the World Junior Championships from Jul 30-Aug 9 in Bukit Jalil.

Wen Li, who will turn 19 in May, will not be eligible for the world junior meet.

“It was disappointing that I could not go for the British Juniors and be part of the girls team, who won the Asian junior title. Now, I’m really hungry to get back on the court,” said Wen Li.

“The national junior meet will be my first tournament this year and I’m hoping for a good outing to end my junior career on a good note.”

Wen Li last competed at the Pakistan Open in Karachi in early December but lost to her senior Rachel Arnold in the second round.

“I’ve been working more on my shot selections and fitness in the off-season, but it’s always a challenge when there are no tournaments to test oneself. I hope to enjoy competitive matches during the national meet,” added the world No. 77.

She has a big year ahead of her as she has set herself two major goals – to break into the top 50 of the world rankings and win a ticket for the Philippines SEA Games in December.