Squash player hits comeback trail

Tegwen Malik wants to regain her top 16 world ranking

One of Wales' top squash players is making a comeback from a mystery virus which left her bedridden for several months and unable to walk.

Tegwen Malik is off to Seattle to compete in the Washington Open - her first major tournament in three years.

The former world number 16 from Swansea has been competing against men in preparation and has only lost one match.

Confidence is slowly returning as physiotherapy and psychology from experts at the Sports Council for Wales begins to pay off.

Said Malik: "I haven't played a major tournament since I fell ill back in November, 1999.

I've trained well, my body's OK and I've had some great people working with me

Tegwen Malik

"I was unable to walk at one point due to the virus. There's a part of me that is really looking forward to Washington but if I'm honest I am a bit nervous.

"I haven't even got a world ranking anymore because I've been out of the game for so long."

Malik's form while playing in the Wales men's Premier League has encouraged Wales coach Chris Robertson.

He believes a return to the world's elite is not an unrealistic expectation.

"She's trained well and she's very motivated," said Robertson.

"She's a pleasure to work and I believe she has overcome the trepidations of a relapse.

"She's doing well in the league and ready to dip her foot into the ocean again. I firmly believe she is still of world top 16 standard.

"She just needs some match practice and she will be back up in the top rankings."

Malik, 27, added: "I've trained well, my body's OK and I've had some great people working with me."

The Washington Open starts on Thursday, 14 November.