Brussels Dronsfields Preview: Event Can Help Belgian Future Says Crabbe

The PSA Tour returns to Belgium for the first time since 2018 this week, and Chloe Crabbe believes it is vital for the nation to host Tour events to keep the future of squash in country alive.

The nation last hosted a tournament five years ago, when the Challenger 10 level Brussels Open was won by Indian Mahesh Mangaonkar. Since then, Nele and Tinne Gilis have gone on to become permanent fixtures of the world’s top 16.

Crabbe is a fan of the pair, having trained and played with both for the national team. She also believes that Belgium is a country that needs to be hosting tournaments to help the future of squash.

“I think that having tournaments in Belgium is very necessary because Belgian squash needs it,” Crabbe said.

“There are almost no young people playing anymore and I think it’s a shame and worrying for the future of Belgian squash. So I think that having a PSA tournament in Belgium can help the Belgian squash in some way.

“I had the chance to train with these two squash stars, they were very kind to me and gave me a lot of advice. Since I was a little girl, I look at them and I think that I would like to be like them and make my own way as a squash player, I know that there is a lot of work to do but I am willing to work for it.”

On a personal note, Crabbe’s involvement in the Brussels Dronsfields Mercedes Benz this week will be her first since August, when she was a wildcard at the PSA des Hauts de France. She is returning after injury, but is looking forward to getting going once more.

“It was very hard for six months because of my injury. I had a hard time getting back into shape but since the European Team Championships, I feel fitter and ready to do more tournaments and hope to have good results,” she explained.

“It’s my second event on the PSA Challenger Tour but I hope not the last one. I’m looking forward to get on the court of my club where I train. It’s an extra pressure but a very good pressure. In any case, whatever happens, I will give it my all.”

This will be just a second appearance on Tour for the 17-year-old Belgian. She is looking forward to keeping her junior career going over the next couple of years, along with playing more on the PSA Challenger Tour.

“I have several goals for 2023 and 2024 for my junior tournaments but also for my future PSA tournaments,” the Belgian explained. 

“I would like to win my first PSA title and continue to play many tournaments to learn and have more experience with other players. The more I play on the PSA Challenger Tour, the more experience I will have and the more I will progress and that’s all I need!”

Malaysia’s Yasshmita Jadishkumar will be the top seed for this week’s Brussels Dronsfields Mercedes Benz, which will take place at Winners Squash Club in the Belgian capital of Brussels.

England’s Kiera Marshall, Frenchwoman Lea Barbeau and Spain’s Sofia Mateos will be the top four seeds, with Denmark’s Klara Moller and Dutchwoman Juliette Permentier joining the French duo of Taba Taghavi and Ella Galova as the rest of the eight seeds for the competition.

The event takes place from Friday, May 26 to Sunday, May 28 at the Winners Squash Club in Brussels, where Chloe Crabbe will be the leading Belgian on home soil. Follow the PSA Challenger Tour on Twitter and Facebook for daily updates from the event.

First Round Draw: Brussels Dronsfields Mercedes Benz
[1] Yasshmita Jadishkumar (MAS) v Catalina Pelaez (COL)
Suzanne Peters (NED) v [5] Klara Moller (DEN)
[6] Taba Taghavi (FRA) v Elfi Markus (NED)
Megan van Drongelen (NED) v [4] Sofia Mateos (ESP)
[3] Lea Barbeau (FRA) v Chloe Crabbe (BEL)
Milena Velychko (UKR) v [8] Juliette Permentier (NED)
[7] Ella Galova (FRA) v Alyssia Crabbe (BEL)
Catarina Nunes (POR) v [2] Kiera Marshall (ENG)