Natalie Grainger
Natalie Grainger | |
Natalie Grainger in 2009 | |
Nationality: |
United States 2002− England 1999–2002 South Africa 1996–1999 |
Birthday: | July 8, 1977 |
1st professional season: | 1996 |
Resignation: | 2010 |
Playing hand: | Right |
Trainer: | Peter Briggs |
successes | |
Career title: | 23 |
Career finals: | 44 |
Best placement: | 1 (June 2003) |
Month # 1: | 1 |
Sources: official player profiles at PSA and Squashinfo (see web links ) |
Natalie Grainger (born July 8, 1977 in Manchester ) is a former English - American squash player .
Life
Natalie Grainger was born in Manchester, but grew up in South Africa , which is where her parents are from. In September 1999 she decided to play on the professional tour for her native England, before she started for the United States in November 2002 . She received US citizenship on February 13, 2007 . She was married to the American Eddie Pohrer for a few years and during this time she appeared on the tour as Natalie Pohrer . Since their separation in 2003, she played again under her maiden name Grainger.
Natalie Grainger had a younger brother, Keith (* 1980), who died of cancer in 2001.
Career
Natalie Grainger won numerous titles on the WSA World Tour , including the Kuala Lumpur Open , the Qatar Classic and the Tournament of Champions . In the 2002 season she reached the final of the World Championship , but lost to Sarah Fitz-Gerald with 10: 8, 9: 3, 7: 9 and 9: 7. Nevertheless, she conquered the top of the world rankings for a month in June 2003 when she replaced Carol Owens . It was also this that passed Grainger again in July. In the 2004 season Natalie Grainger was in the final of the British Open , which she lost to Rachael Grinham 6: 9, 9: 5, 9: 0 and 9: 3.
At the Commonwealth Games 1998 Natalie Grainger won two bronze medals for South Africa . In doubles, she reached the semifinals with Claire Nitch , in mixed she achieved this with Rodney Durbach . As an American, she took part in the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro , where she won silver with the US team. In the individual competition she secured the gold medal. In 2015 she won more gold medals in doubles and with the team.
Natalie Grainger ended her professional career in December 2010, but won her fifth and sixth US national championship titles in 2011 and 2013, respectively . She was also active as President of what was then WISPA for many years . She resigned from this position in April 2011.
successes
- Vice world champion : 2002
- Vice-Pan American Champion: 2013
- Pan American Champion in Doubles: 2013 (with Sabrina Sobhy )
- Pan American champions with the team: 2008, 2013
- 1 month world number one
- Won WSA -Titel: 23
- Commonwealth Games : 2 × bronze ( doubles and mixed 1998 )
- Pan American Games : 3 × gold (singles 2007, doubles and team 2015), 1 × silver (team 2007)
- American champion : 6 titles (2007-2011, 2013)
Web links
- Player profile at squashinfo.com (English)
personal data | |
---|---|
SURNAME | Grainger, Natalie |
ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Pohrer, Natalie (while married to Eddie Pohrer) |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American squash player |
DATE OF BIRTH | July 8, 1977 |
PLACE OF BIRTH | Manchester , England |