USA No. 1 Olivia Weaver is Philadelphia born and raised, an inspiration to up and coming USA players and the best chance the country has of celebrating a home U.S Open champion.
Weaver has reached the semi-finals of the prestigious event on three occasions now, including the last two editions. A barrier between Weaver and the U.S Open final has been coming up against one of ‘The Big 3’ in the semis. The 30-year-old is yet to score a win over any of Gohar, ElSherbini or El Hammamy but where better to break that losing streak than her home championships.
Weaver has been plagued by injury so far this season but returned to competitive action at the Silicon Valley Open last week and emphatically claimed the Gold event to defend her title, an important victory for the World No.5. Despite the injury setbacks this season, the California win will give Weaver so much confidence heading into this year’s U.S Open where she is determined to make a mark.
“I can’t wait. It’s no secret that I’m Philly born and raised and there’s no tournament I love competing at more than the US Open – in front of a home crowd,” said Weaver. “Playing at the Silicon Valley Open this week, no matter what, I think I was really enjoying my squash this week. I’m now going to go into next week feeling confident just with the way I’ve been playing. But to battle through a match like the final against Siva [Subramaniam] gives me that extra bit of confidence just in my competitive edge and that competitive fighting spirit that I had to tap into today. I’m really, really excited. And hopefully it’s going to be great tournament for me.”
Weaver’s first event of the season was cut short at the London Squash Classic after she was forced to withdraw due to an adductor problem. The USA No.1 had visions of coming back at the Qatar Classic but that proved to be too soon. Waiting to return to action has been a tough wait for Weaver but she admitted that the break provided a fresh perspective ahead of the Silicon Valley Open.
“After a summer of good training, it was definitely challenging,” Weaver said. “I was really eager to get back on tour and compete. So to get injured in London definitely wasn’t part of the plan. But as hard as it was sitting out of Egypt and Qatar, I think absence makes the heart grow fonder. It makes you realise how much you love competing and playing. I was just so excited to get out here and play in front of a crowd in Silicon Valley, play on the bigstage again.”
Weaver holds an unwanted record of being 0-31 against ‘The Big 3’ in PSA competitions. A streak that Weaver is keen to break but isn’t her primary focus. That remains to be winning matches against her tough competitors and reaching finals.
“My goal for this season is to win titles. I want to get to finals. I know I made it to a lot of semifinals last year, but I don’t want to stop there. I’m coming into this season and I want to be beating not only the girls in front of me, but also the girls behind me because everyone’s improving. So no one can be underestimated. I’m just focusing on myself and constantly trying to improve. And I think when I’m playing my best squash, I can beat anyone. So hopefully next week is the place where it all happens.”
In order to reach her first Platinum event final next week in Philadelphia, Weaver will not only be relying on her best squash to surface but also a boisterous home crowd to cheer her on to victory.
“Playing in front of a home crowd is the best,” Weaver said. “We all love playing on the big stage. But when you have that extra support and enthusiasm from the crowd, it just helps you elevate your game to that next level and dig even deeper. So, yeah, I can’t wait. Hopefully everyone’s going to come out, get loud, get rowdy and pack the Specter Center.”