KUALA LUMPUR: S. Sivasangari is proud of how far she has gone after a road accident in June last year almost ended his promising career prematurely.
Following the accident, the 24-year-old returned to the PSA Tour after six months with no expectations.
However, Sivasangari, after a string of promising performances, rose to a career-high No. 15 from No. 17 in the women's world rankings, released yesterday.
This achievement surpasses her previous best of No. 16 in July last year.
"It feels great to be at my highest world ranking now," said a delighted Sivasangari.
"Looking back at the journey after the road accident, I am proud of how strong I am and how far I have gone.
"It was a hard journey, but I am glad my hard work has paid off."
Sivasangari hopes to break into the top 10 next year.
"That is my main mission next season. It will be tough, but I will do my best to achieve good results on the tour," said the Kedah-born, who will return to her training base in the United States later this month.
Sivasangari, who took less than a year to make a huge leap from No. 50 to No. 15 in the world rankings, only returned to competitive squash in January this year.
She showed signs of regaining her form when she won her first title since the accident at the Tuanku Muhriz Trophy in August.
In October, Sivasangari grabbed attention, becoming the most successful Malaysian athlete at the Hangzhou Asian Games when she won two gold medals.
Sivasangari had a memorable month in November.
She reached the semi-finals of the Malaysia Cup and the quarter-finals of the Singapore Open and beat three higher-ranked players on her way to winning the Hong Kong Open Football Club Open.
The 24-year-old also reached the quarter-finals of the platinum-level Hong Kong Open last week.
She has proven that nothing is impossible, and reaching the top 10 next season is definitely achievable.
If she does achieve it, Sivasangari will receive additional support through the Road to Gold programme as she pursues an Olympic medal in squash, which will debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Rachel Arnold is the second-highest ranked Malaysian in the rankings at No. 27, followed by Aifa Azman (No. 31), Aira Azman (No. 51), Ainaa Amani (No. 63) and Yasshmita Jadish Kumar (No. 71).
Ng Eain Yow is the highest-ranked Malaysian in the women's rankings at No. 18, followed by Addeen Idrakie (No. 64), Ivan Yuen (No. 76), Sanjay Jeeva (No. 93) and Syafiq Kamal (No. 95).