Joel Makin and Tesni Evans have made history for Squash Wales by becoming the first male and female players to be ranked inside the World’s top 10 at the same time. 

Cardiff-born Evans, who lives in North Wales, has been a regular inside the women’s top 10 – at number nine for the last 12 months – while Joel Mak has jumped to number 10 on the men’s list.

That happened on March 1 – what a way to celebrate St David’s Day!

Haverfordwest-born Makin, whose family now live in the Aberdare area, has produced remarkable form, leading Wales to a bronze medal at the World Team Championships in Washington and reaching the British Championship final. 

David Evans, Squash Wales performance director, said “This is remarkable for Squash Wales to have both Joel and Tesni ranked inside the World’s top 10.

“Joel has been so close and knocking on the door for some time so to finally get there is a superb achievement for him, although I feel there is still more to come.”

Emyr Evans, Tesni’s brother, achieved a career high World ranking of 106 following his runners-up finish at a PSA event in Canada.

Newport’s Greg Tippings, high-performance coach for Squash Wales for more than seven years, has been appointed Welsh national junior coach.

Tippings takes up his new role on April 1.

The former World top 100 player has coached and produced many national champions during his time with Squash Wales.  

“I am delighted to get this opportunity to become national junior coach,” said Tippings. “I am passionate about Welsh Squash and look forward to implementing some fresh ideas to improve the Junior pathway.

The former Wales Squash and Racketball coach of the year was previously head of coaching at Newport SRC.

He reached number 60 in the World rankings as a player, winning a silver medal with Wales at the 2000 World Team Championships in Cairo.