Season Review: Nele Gilis

It was a season to remember for Belgium’s Nele Gilis. The 27-year-old became the highest ranked Belgian of all time as she ended the season as World No.6 after securing three titles and reaching the final of a further two events, including the El Gouna International. We caught up with the history-making Belgian to get her thoughts on the season:

On her El Gouna International run

NG – “Sometimes I just have to take a step back and look what I’ve achieved this year. It still feels a little unreal but I’m very, very proud of my season and the improvements that I’ve made.

NG – “I was not expecting that [reaching the final of El Gouna] to happen at all. But again, I’m very proud of myself for reaching the final and even for putting a decent performance in against Nouran [Gohar]. She proved to be the much better player on the day, but I do feel like I’m getting closer and closer to those top girls. I’m excited to see what’s to come for sure.”

On backing up performances and reaching later stages of events

NG – “It was a goal of mine to make the semis [of a Platinum event] this season. Going into El Gouna, I didn’t really think it was possible anymore. So I was already looking at next season, but once I made it, I felt a relief and I was extra relaxed and motivated for the semis and maybe that’s why I played well and just everything came together for me as well.”

On her hip injury at the start of the season and restricted training.

NG – “I really focused on my short game for months and months because it was all I was able to do. Just solos and static feeding sessions and working on my short game and just focusing on the stuff that I could do. I do think it helped me be more confident in my short game in matches.

“I focused on my technique a bit more and I do think at the end of the day it was maybe a blessing in disguise.”

On her favourite moment of the season

NG – “I think it has to be [the win over Nour El Sherbini in El Gouna]. There’s been a few actually. Even my win against Salma [in the quarter-finals] was huge. Then a highlight is also my French Open final against my sister.

“But I think beating El Sherbini has got to be top of the list.”

On her Open De France final against sister Tinne

NG – “We were fine throughout the day. We were just talking, just being our normal selves. We’ve been in this situation many times but then we haven’t because this was our biggest final. But we just treated it like the final it was, I guess. But it was a very special moment. Our mum was there as well watching and then the atmosphere and the crowd just made it that bit more special and it’s definitely a night I won’t forget.”

On her goals for next season

NG – “I’m gonna to try and finish top five next season, but I do want to take it one tournament at a time and one step at a time. But from now on, every spot is gonna be a lot harder than before. I think I can still improve on everything. So it’s actually very exciting that there’s still lots to improve on and I’ll be looking to be working on that this summer and keep improving and see where it takes me next season.”

On her best performance of the season

NG – “Against El Sherbini for sure. Just even the mindset of it, I’m going into a match playing a seven-time world champion and an absolute legend of squash.

“Just going into that match having the belief that I can match her and then from the start I just went for it. It’s all still a bit of a blur.

“I watched a lot of our matches back where she was chopping me and she’s got this really good hold, especially on the backhand, and it just makes you feel uncomfortable all the time. But I was very aware and ready for it. There were a lot of tough movements that I had to keep doing, but the conditions were hard. It was so hot and tough and I just thought to myself, if you can make her play an extra shot then maybe something incredible might happen.”

Watch the best of Gilis in action over on SQUASHTV.