The biggest women's professional squash event to be held in the
Netherlands for 18 years will be staged in Amsterdam later this year
when the Forexx Dutch Open welcomes the world's top players
to the Frans Otten Stadion from 28 August to 02 September.
The $43,500 WISPA Gold event will be complemented by a men's PSA
event boasting a $20,000 prize-fund, promoted by NEXT Events,
a joint venture between Topsquash Nederland, SquashLife and Stolwijk
& Eichhorn.
The new event will be sponsored by Forexx, the renowned
technology recruiter which specialises in mobilising and recruiting
higher-educated technical personnel.
 "Forexx
is proud to be associated with the Dutch Open, because we identify
ourselves with the growth and innovation that the squash sport is
going through at the moment in the Netherlands.
"On top of that, squash is played by an audience that Forexx is
trying to reach: people aged between 20 and 45 with a MBO+
education.
"These elements combined, together with the enthusiasm of the
organisation, have made the choice very easy to link our name to
this great squash event."
Director, Forexx |
 "It
will be the biggest professional event here since the Women's World
Open in Warmond in 1989."
Promoter
 "It
is fantastic that the Dutch Open is back on the calendar, especially
at such a high level. I will do everything in my power to win the
Dutch Open on the court where I have already won many national
titles."
10-times Dutch National champion
 "I
am very happy that we have a Dutch Open again. It’s good for the
promotion of squash in the Netherlands, great for the Dutch players
- and it gives me the chance to win in front of an enthusiastic home
crowd instead of on the other side of the world!"
Dutch National Champion |
The
women’s draw is represented by the sport's finest - led by
Amsterdam-based world number one and two-time World Champion
Nicol David. The 23-year old Malaysian, who recently won both
the Malaysian Open and the Singapore Masters after appearing in her
15th successive WISPA World Tour event final, is expected to face
her long time rival Natalie Grinham, the world number two
from Australia, in the final on Sunday 2nd September. 
Leading
the men’s draw is another double World Champion and former world
number one David Palmer. The 31-year old Australian,
currently ranked three on the PSA world rankings, was a last-minute
replacement for the popular big-hitter John White, who withdrew on
the eve of closing date due to a hamstring injury. 
"Obviously
we are disappointed that John White had to withdraw at the last
moment due to injury, but we are extremely happy that David Palmer
is able to replace him.
