Wales squash ace Tesni Evans is one of the World’s best squash players. Cardiff-born, Rhyl-based, a proud Welshwoman ranked number 12 – and aiming far higher. Terry Phillips takes an in-depth look at her World title dream.

Rafa Benitez, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher had a big say in the teenage life of Welsh squash ace Tesni Evans.

The trio helped Tesni, then a schoolgirl in North Wales, persuade dad Andrew to buy a chocolate labrador dog for the family.

That was half a lifetime ago and a big day in the life of the fledgling squash professional, who, at the age of 25, is now highest-ranked female player from Wales in history number 12, and is intent on being number one.

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“My brother, sister and I wanted a dog, but my dad, Andrew, said no,” says Tesni. “He relented a little by saying that if Liverpool won the Uefa Champions League we’d get one.”

The whole Evans family are major Reds’ fans and in that year (2005) Liverpool lifted the trophy, beating AC Milan on a remarkable night in Istanbul.

Milan led 3-0 at half-time, Liverpool hit back with three goals during six second half minutes and then won in a penalty shootout.

“We named our new dog Rafa, after the Liverpool manager,” said Tesni at her home in Rhyl.

It has been a remarkable year for the Cardiff-born squash ace, who earned her first Professional Squash Association title in Egypt, lifted the Welsh championship for a sixth time, was crowned British champion in Manchester, won Commonwealth Games bronze on the Gold Coast and reached the British Open last eight.

Her season ended in defeat against French player Camille Serme in the Allan British Open quarter-finals, albeit in a five-set thriller, 14-16, 11-7, 11-7, 9-11, 6-11.

“Gutted to be on the losing side of a great battle last night with Camille,” said Tesni. “A really fair and enjoyable match, left everything I had out there last night.

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“That’s the season over for me and loved every minute of it. Time to go away and work harder over the summer. Can’t wait.”

Dad Andrew and brother Emyr will both play major roles in her next big target – breaking into the World’s top 10 – right through to her ultimate goal of one day becoming World champion.

“That would be the biggest aim for me,” she says. “Yes, it’s a long way off and there is a huge amount of work ahead, but I am ready for that.

“Being able to tell somebody you are World champion would be wonderful.”

There can be a love-hate relationship between Tesni and her younger brother Emyr, a player intent on climbing the men’s rankings from his current 129.

“They are better now than when they were younger and work well together,” admits Andrew.

The siblings train together, often under the watchful eye of professional coach Andrew. There is intensity, rivalry and total commitment in their exchanges.

Emyr plays off English rules – he can only score on his own serve – and Tesni is allowed American rules and is able to score a point off any rally.

Tesni won 3-2 and her brother’s punishment is a gruelling 50 court sprints with his sister exclaiming: “I love this game.”

Her day begins with a porridge breakfast at home before a gruelling gym session at Bangor University and courtwork alongside Emyr.

Between the two there is lunch and a crucial meeting with Bangor Uni’s director of Sports at Bangor University.

They are organising a first PSA women’s World-ranking tournament in North Wales next month and that has the go-ahead and will be played between Wednesday, June 20 and Sunday, June 24.

That is a massive coup for Squash Wales following the success of Rhiwbina’s men’s PSA event which has been held in Cardiff for the last two years.

Now Tesni is now intent on becoming fitter and faster on court over the second half of 2018.

Dad Andrew will continue to play a major role in the progress of his son and daughter, while former British Open champion David Evans, from Griffithstown, near Pontypool, is also close to the Welsh ace.

Evans, aged 43, is senior high performance coach for Wales and Tesni says: “Dave is great. I work with him during national squads and Europeans etc. He has given me a lot of pointers and had made a big impact on my game, but my regular coach is my dad, Andrew.

“He has helped me from the beginning, working on my game, teaching me things and developing my squash. I wouldn’t be where I am now without his input.

“Welsh Squash have always been so supportive of me, whether it has been Chris Robertson or David, who are the only two national coaches I have worked with.

“I can’t thanks Sport Wales enough either. They have funded me from the beginning. There is no way I could do this without their help.”

Tesni is also sponsored by Karakul, Ashaway and Bangor University, while her gutsy approach and readiness to accept all physical demands that go with it sport drive her on.

Her work with Andrew and David are helping hone her technique and tactics in the chase for top 10 status.

For the moment Tesni is relaxing at the end of a desperately tiring yet magnificently successful season for the Rhyl Rocket.

“I like to relax, watch some TV shows or anything like that,” she says. “I am always trying to be careful with what I eat. unfortunately I can’t get away with not, so I am always trying to eat as healthily as possible.”

Soon, though, it will be back to work for Tesni. Her progress in World squash has been astonishing, but the girl from North Wales is determined not to slow down.