The New Zealand squash number one Joelle King has probably had twice as many Covid-19 tests than matches played in the last couple of months as she copes with a sport that is struggling to get on court.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
King decided to stay in Britain instead of returning home in the hope that a tournament might pop up.
The world number eight is based in Bristol with her coaching team.
"At the moment it has been about sitting tight because I knew there were tournaments in the pipeline and to fly all the way back to New Zealand and having to go through quarantine wasn't great because these tournaments could come up at short notice."
"Even being a bit underprepared, I'd take that more than having to do the long travel and the quarantine process."
"Obviously it's a bit easier to get to places on this side of the world from Britain."
Training has been difficult this year, but because of her professional status she has been able to get some limited time on court in recent weeks.
That coupled with the few events she has been able to play since the season started in September means she's become very familiar with the protocols around the coronavirus pandemic.
"Oh my gosh I've probably had 40 tests since the season started."
"Depending on how far you go in a tournament you have a test before you enter, one the day you enter and then one every three days... another when you fly home, so you're constantly having Covid tests."
She's also had extra tests while in Bristol.
"There is the additional testing that takes place when you've possibly been in contact with a positive person, that's separate to the tournament situation, it's just life over here."
"You could say I'm a bit of a pro now over testing, not that it makes it any easier as it still hurts but I'm getting use to it."
King will compete in a tournament in Cairo next week, a last minute event that was organised to coincide with a scheduled men's tournament.
It was finalised a couple of weeks ago with one of the main benefactors of Egyptian squash wanting to help the women's game.
"We'll be in a bubble in Cairo where you have to have a negative test before you leave and when you land.... we get picked up and spend all our your time in the hotel until you're cleared to play."
Joelle King Photo: Photosport
The 32 year old is getting use to the uncertainty around tournament play.
There are no tournaments listed at all by the PSA for next year, while a number of tournaments in the United States have already been cancelled.
"I guess most athletes have just become use to going with the flow now and whatever happens is going to happen."
"It's sad that a couple of tournaments in the United States have been cancelled, it's just too bad there, but a few tournaments have been talked about for Egypt but we'll just see what happens."
"I think everyone has just got use to being flexible and expect that in two weeks they could tell us that in another two weeks you've got a tournament."
"It's about being as well prepared as you can be and even if that's not the ideal situation I think we're all just grateful to be having any events at this time."
With a couple of tournaments under her belt and backing from New Zealand, King has been able to survive financially.
"I'm lucky that I have good support from Sport New Zealand and Squash New Zealand and I've been in this game long enough to have a bit of savings behind me so it's not too bad."
When Covid first hit earlier this year, King didn't hit a ball for four months but came back in some good form.
She says recovering from a major injury in 2014 helped her mentally and that she's coped pretty well this year.
"I think it was pretty stressful at the start but we've all got use to it now and it can either worry you or you can take it in your stride."
"I guess being a bit older I've been able to accept how it is."
