Playing for Tuks, Helena Hudson nearly fine-tuned the art of being at her best at the USSA Tournament. Winning titles.
Since 2020, she has won the women’s singles title thrice. The 2024 USSA Tournament is one she will remember for some time to come. Not because she completed her hat trick of singles tournament victories. The stand moment for her was that Tuks also got to win overall.
“The last time Tuks got to do so was in 2011. It is special to know that I played a part in Tuks’s victory, especially since it is the last time I play USSA’s,” said Hudson, who is doing her master’s in marketing.
In September, her next challenge will be playing at the FISU Squash World University Championships at the Wanderers.
“The goal will be to improve on my ranking of two years ago. I was 10th or 11th two years ago in Egypt. I think a top eight ranking is doable.”
Once Hudson starts talking about squash, it is clear that she is in love with the game.
Squash is to her family thing. Hudson’s first memory of chasing after a small rubber ball between four white walls was playing with her dad and brothers.
“My dad has indeed been my mentor. The one who inspired me to be better today than I was yesterday. The one thing he taught me is never to be overwhelmed by an opponent, as, at the end of the day, they are also just human.
“What I love about squash is the intensity with which it is played. It is a fast game. You have to be focused at all times. I see myself as an attacking player who loves to play from the T and volley. My backhand is undoubtedly one of my best shots. To be more competitive entails working harder on my fitness and being more accurate with my shots.”
Hudson’s husband, Scott, has also taken to playing squash. According to her, she gets the idea that, at times, he is more passionate about the game than she is. The husband-wife combination regularly duels it out on the court. Scott has mastered getting his wife to run on the court, but that big victory still eludes him.
When not studying, training or playing on squash courts, Hudson loves to read, mostly the classics. She is also an accomplished musician. She has done her Grade-8 exam playing the clarinet and knows how to get a good tune playing the piano.”