 Atkinson during 2009 Women's World Open | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Vanessa Louise Atkinson | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country |  Netherlands | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 10 March 1976 Newcastle, England | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Residence | Leeds, England | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Turned pro | 1995 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Retired | 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Plays | Right Handed | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Coached by | Liz Irving | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Racquet used | Karakal | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Women's singles | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Highest ranking | No. 1 (December, 2005) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Title(s) | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Tour final(s) | 42 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| World Open | W (2004) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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| Updated on 3 December 2019. | |||||||||||||||||||||
Vanessa Louise Atkinson (born 10 March 1976 in Newcastle, England) is a former professional squash player from the Netherlands, who won the World Open in 2004 and reached the World No. 1 ranking in December 2005.
Atkinson was born in England, but her family moved to the Netherlands when she was still a child. She began playing squash as a youngster in Dordrecht. She now resides in Harrogate, Yorkshire, with her partner James Willstrop, himself a professional squash player and a former World No. 1.[1][2]
Atkinson's biggest win came in 2004 when she won the World Open title in Kuala Lumpur by defeating fellow compatriote Natalie Grinham (at that time still representing Australia) with a score of 9–1, 9–1, 9–5 in the final.[3] Atkinson also has won major tournaments in Qatar, New York, Monte Carlo, Malaysia and Ireland.
Atkinson retired from professional play in May 2011.
- ^ "Ashour & Matthew on course to meet". BBC Sport.
- ^ "James Willstrop profile". Squash Info. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
- ^ "Atkinson crowned World Champion". Squashsite.co.uk. Retrieved 14 May 2009.