World No.1 Raneem El Welily announces retirement from Squash

CAIRO_25 June 2020: Egyptian squash star Raneem El Welily announced on Thursday immediate retirement from the game to put an end to 18-year career.

"For the past year or two I must have written these words in my head over a thousand times. Squash has been my life for the past 25 years, but the time has come for me to say goodbye,” El Welily said.

The Egyptian star made history in 2015 when she became the first Arab female to become World No.1 in any sport.

She added "When this journey started, I never thought that it would take me this far. I have been so fortunate to have witnessed many generations play the game, to have been inspired by so many legends, and to have been a part of such a great era.”

The Egyptian star won World Junior Championship in 2005 and 2007 before claiming 2017 World Championship title in 2017 after defeating her fellow Egyptian Nour El Sherbini.

Raneem continued "I want to thank everyone who helped and supported me throughout my career, starting off with my heroes and my number 1 fans – my parents,”