Ten years on, Joshna Chinappa says she's getting better

Joshna Chinappa just had what is probably her best year yet on the professional squash tour, beating the world number one on the way to becoming India's highest-ranked player. What was it about this season that has brought out the best in her?
"Well, (the results) are coming not just because I worked hard only this season. It has a lot do with my routine over the past three or four years, ever since I returned from injury (in 2011). I look after myself a lot better than I used to," she said reflecting on her rise in rankings.

Much has been written about her career-threatening knee injury in 2011 and she says that phase was a landmark in her decade-old professional career."I can never forget to be honest. I didn't know whether I would be holding the racquet again even after I had my knee operated. Now looking back, I feel I learnt so much. I am fitter than ever and spend more time in the gym than anywhere else."

Last week, she climbed four positions to world No 13 to jump Dipika Pallikal (currently 16th) in the rankings to be the top ranked Indian on tour. The highlight of the season was the 37-minute win over world No. 1 Raneem El Welily at the Qatar Classic, a PSA World Series event, last month. So, did she expect to outplay the mighty Egyptian?

"To be honest, I was playing well in the run up to that match. I knew I had a chance. When you are playing against the likes of Raneem, there are no freebies and you have to work to earn every point. The match was all about who cracked first and it was her on the day. Surely one of the best moments of my career," said the 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist in women's doubles. A second high point was reaching the semi-finals of the Carol Weymuller Open in New York.

With the season-ending World Open postponed indefinitely, the Chennai-based player is in no mood to rest. She likes to believe that her best is yet to come.

"Obviously the aim is to get better, break into the top 10 and then top five. I don't want to think that I am at the peak of my game. I am 29 and as squash history points out, a lot of players peak post 30. So I am going to keep doing what I am doing, work hard and train hard for the upcoming season."