In the world of squash, one name stands above all others: Datuk Nicol Ann David. For 108 consecutive months—nine unbroken years—she ruled as the world's No. 1 female player, a record that cements her as the greatest in the sport's history. With eight World Championship titles, two Commonwealth Games gold medals, and the 2021 World Games' Greatest Athlete of All Time award, Nicol has redefined what it means to be a champion.

But today, her victories resonate far beyond the squash courts of Penang or the global arenas she once dominated. Since retiring from competitive play in 2019, her legacy has taken on a new dimension—one rooted in empowerment, community, and giving back. Through the Nicol David Organisation (NDO), co-founded with Colombian squash champion Mariana de Reyes, Nicol is channeling her passion for sport into empowering the next generation and their families with the tools to dream big and thrive.

Conquering the Court: A Squash Prodigy's Ascent

Nicol's journey began in Malaysia, where squash was little known. "I started really as a young kid in my hometown, Penang, where squash was really not heard of," she recalls. Her father, a former football goalkeeper for Malaysia, introduced her and her sisters to the sport when a public squash center opened nearby. At just five years old, Nicol picked up a racket, and by eight, she was training seriously. "I could see myself getting better," she says. "It really sparked me—like, wow, I can really do well in the sport and enjoy it with my sisters and my friends." That spark ignited a career that would see her compete for the state team at nine, travel internationally by 11, and join the national team at 12.

Her first major breakthrough came in 1999 when she won the World Junior Championship, a title she claimed again in 2001, becoming the first female to secure it twice. "Once you win a world title… that stuck with me, and I didn't look back," she reflects. At 18, she left Malaysia for Amsterdam to train under Liz Irving, a former World No. 2 and Australian champion. "I worked with her for 15 years, and that's where it all started," Nicol says, crediting Irving's mentorship for her ascent to the top. By 2006, at age 22, she became the first Asian woman to reach World No. 1—a position she held for nine consecutive years, cementing her status as a global icon.

Her first senior World Championship win in 2005, against then-World No. 1 Rachael Grinham in Hong Kong, was a defining moment. "The win made a stamp on my card that I've done it: I've reached my goal, my dreams, everything that I could imagine possible," she says. Yet, the victory brought unexpected challenges. "It was quite daunting afterwards… I struggled after, for maybe the first six months," she admits, grappling with self-doubt and the pressure to maintain her rank: "Am I deserving to be in this position?" With Irving's guidance, she reframed her mindset, setting new goals each year to stay motivated. "It opened my mind that I don't need to do anything other than… improve on top of all that I have already," she explains.

Maintaining her dominance for nine years was no small feat. "The biggest challenge is obviously the pressure of having to win all the time," Nicol says. As younger players emerged with fresh styles, she had to adapt constantly. "I had to always keep making sure that I'm constantly learning, exploring," she notes. A sports psychologist joined her team, helping her manage the mounting expectations. "How do I alleviate the pressure, the negativity, the noise?" she recalls asking herself. Her support system—family, coach, trainers, and physiotherapists—kept her grounded, fostering a positive environment that fuelled her resilience.

Nicol's adaptability and discipline earned her the nickname "Duracell Bunny" for her tireless energy on the court. She amassed 81 PSA World Tour titles, including 61 World Series victories, and in 2021 was voted the World Games' Greatest Athlete of All Time. Her record-breaking 106 months as World No. 1 surpassed even legends like Susan Devoy, placing her among sporting giants like Tiger Woods and Steffi Graf. Yet, for Nicol, the accolades were secondary. "Being number one is something you have to earn every day," she says modestly. "For me, it is really about playing the tournaments. Everything else is a bonus."

A New Arena: Empowering Through NDO

After retiring in 2019, Nicol harnessed the lessons she learned from squash for a greater cause. "I always knew that I wanted to give back," she says, reflecting on her decision to launch the Nicol David Organisation in June 2022. "I got so much from sports… discipline, being resilient, confidence and identity." The non-profit, co-founded with Mariana de Reyes, targets children from low- and middle-income communities in Malaysia, offering subsidized after-school programs that blend squash training with English tuition. At present, over 140 children participate in its Little Legends program, designed not to churn out champions but to instill life-changing values. "I don't expect our kids in the foundation to be a world champion… they are there to learn holistically," Nicol explains.

Her leadership style at NDO mirrors the nurturing approach of her mentors. "I try my best to just set the tone and encourage them to do the work in the right way," she says. Learning from de Reyes, who serves as CEO, Nicol has embraced a collaborative approach, ensuring clear roles and plans for her team. Of her former coach, she says: "I'm very grateful to have Liz to show me the way… she knew me very well. She knew how to handle me." That sense of empathy has shaped her work today as she strives to create a positive environment for her staff and participants alike.

Beyond the Court: Ibu Legends

Nicol's vision didn't stop with the children of Little Legends. Through her work with NDO, Nicol noticed the quiet struggles of the mothers who brought their kids to the program—women often isolated and overstretched, sacrificing their own needs. "The moms really struggle. They do feel like they are on their own," she observes. This realization, paired with de Reyes' insight, led to the launch of Ibu Legends in 2024. The four-month program supports mothers by offering free medical checkups, mental health and physical well-being workshops, parenting classes, and nutrition guidance, aiming to bolster the family ecosystem around the kids.

The program's ripple effect strengthens families and communities. "They take care of themselves first, so that they can look after their family," Nicol notes, outlining Ibu Legends' core philosophy. Healthier, empowered mothers mean more consistent support for their children's growth, amplifying NDO's reach. The program also includes financial literacy training and entrepreneurship guidance, with the aim of empowering women to be ambassadors and mentors to other mothers. With fathers' inclusion slated for late 2025, Ibu Legends is a cornerstone of her holistic mission to uplift entire households.

Success Through Transformation

For Nicol, success isn't about trophies anymore—it's about transformation. "We see the difference in their confidence… they are happier," she says of the children. Surveys from parents confirm improved grades, better English, and increased discipline. "Parents have already told us that their grades have gone up. Their English is better," she shares. The kids themselves echo this sentiment: "I'm happy to play squash. I'm happy to learn English… my coaches are great," they tell her. For Nicol, their joy is proof of impact. "When you hear kids are just happy to be somewhere, that's already the impact," she says.

The mothers' stories are equally powerful. One, after a severe accident, found renewed purpose through the Ibu Legends community. "She thanked all the moms and the Ibu Legends program: 'If it wasn't for this, I thought that I wouldn't want to live anymore,'" Nicol recounts. "That support network… sometimes we take it for granted." These tangible examples fuel her fulfillment. "What fulfills me most now is the work that I can do to give these kids a chance to grow up and be whatever they want to be," she says, a sentiment that surpasses even her squash victories.

A Global Stage: Squash and the Olympics

Nicol's influence reached new heights in 2024 as Malaysia's Deputy Chef de Mission at the Paris Olympics. While squash wasn't yet an Olympic sport, its debut slated for LA28, her role immersed her in the Games' electric atmosphere. "That's my first ever Olympic Games and in leading a team," she recalls, reflecting on the honor of guiding Malaysia's contingent. "It was one of the most memorable moments for me." Though she didn't witness squash on the Olympic stage that year, the experience deepened her appreciation for its impending inclusion.

Nicol sees LA28 as a global opportunity to elevate the sport's visibility. "I'm so glad that we finally made it there," she says. "Our squash players are definitely so thrilled that they have a chance to be an Olympian." In Malaysia, she sees squash thriving among juniors, but stresses the need for guidance. "Squash has really grown a lot… our juniors are coming up very powerfully," she says. "We need to find ways to nurture them the right way, give them the right guidance… and create the right support system for them as well," she says.

Balancing Act and Future Dreams

Juggling her roles—co-founder of NDO, motivational speaker, and Olympic leader—is no easy task. "There's no balance," she laughs, before adding, "I'm just doing my best." Exercise, like paddleball or Pilates, and creative outlets like drawing keep her grounded. "Playing sport like paddle with friends, taking your mind off from everything else… that helps," she says. Recognition fuels her drive. "I'm so honored, because I never thought this was possible… it gives me more motivation," she says, seeing it as a call to push boundaries in the impact space.

Looking ahead, Nicol envisions NDO expanding with Positive Play, a new initiative that blends positive psychology with physical activity in Malaysian schools. Designed to tackle childhood obesity and bolster mental health, the program aims to reach 10,000 children within five years, extending NDO's impact beyond its current scope. Nicol's ultimate aspiration is rooted in a desire to leave a lasting mark. "I hope that people remember me as someone that did good for the country… that I was someone that could inspire someone else to do good too."