21-Apr-08:
Forexx Dutch Open becomes Continental Europe's biggest Squash Championship

The Forexx Dutch Open becomes the biggest squash tournament in mainland Europe this year when it is staged in Amsterdam in September. 

The world class event features a US$53,500 Women’s International Squash Players’ Association (WISPA) World Tour Gold championship and a Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour 3 star tournament boasting a US$30,000 prize-fund. 

The event, which kicks off the new European squash season, will take place at the renowned Frans Otten Stadion from 2-7 September.

With a total prize fund of $83,500 - a rise of more than 30% over year - the Forexx Dutch Open is sure to attract the world’s best players again. In last year’s edition, Nicol David and David Palmer emerged victorious after two contrasting finals. 

David, the world number one from Malaysia, proved too strong for the current World Champion Rachael Grinham, prevailing in straight games. Palmer, a two-time World Champion and three-time British Open Champion, needed the full five games and 97 minutes, however, to fight off the crowd favourite Laurens Jan Anjema.

"We are thrilled to announce the return of the Forexx Dutch Open, especially with last year's championship being an enormous success," said promoter Tommy Berden, a four-time Dutch National Champion, on behalf of Next Events. 

"The feedback of the Dutch squash community and the participating players was fantastic. We are pleased that we have been able to up the prize money - making it the third biggest in the whole of Europe this year behind the British Open and World Open - and we are looking forward to seeing the world’s best athletes in action again."

The Forexx Dutch Open marks the first time that world No2 Natalie Grinham will compete in a major WISPA tournament in the Netherlands as a Dutch player [David & Grinham confirm entries]. The former Australian, who decided to represent Holland earlier this year, will not only play in front of her newly-adopted home crowd, but will also play on her “own” court where the 30-year-old from Almere trains daily under the guidance of Lucas Buit and Floris Minnaert.

Grinham is looking forward to be playing at home: "It is great to be able to play a major event so close to home. I can stay in my own house and sleep in my own bed! 

"It’s also a huge benefit for me that I’ll be playing on the (three wall) glass court that I practice on regularly. I am really hoping to perform well this year so I can give the home crowd something to cheer about."