Alex Azevedo, an 18-year-old grade 12 student at Westerford High School in Newlands, Cape Town, is a ray of resilience and determination in the dynamic world of sports.
Selected for the World Squash Federation Junior Men’s and Women’s Team and Individual Championships in Houston, Texas, USA, from July 7th to 24th, 2024, Alex’s achievement marks the culmination of a goal she set for herself five years ago.
Pictured above: Alex with her dad Hugo, mum Taryn, and twin brother Dylan
“Wow! There was such a mix of emotions. Surprise! Shock! Excitement and a few nerves. I have been working toward this goal for 5 years now, but there was a point at which it seemed to be out of reach. But, I kept training and working because I don’t quit. Making the team has made me realise that anything is possible when you put your mind to it and ignore all the obstacles. It feels a little unreal, but wow, I made it to Worlds!!” says Alex.
Alex’s journey into the game of squash began when she was just 13-years-old. Encouraged by her dad Hugo (49) who is also an avid squash player, Alex took to the game like a moth to flame and has since never looked back. Her twin brother Dylan (18) is also a Junior Provincial squash player.
As a fiercely dedicated individual, Alex demands a lot from herself and works hard to achieve her goals. She enjoys spending time with her friends relaxing when she is not training, just like every other teenager. Her current training schedule does not leave much time for hobbies, and she spends her downtime reading or watching movies. Her dream is to be selected to play for South Africa in the Olympics.
Pictured above: Alex with her good friends Amy Taylor and Lucy Paterson
Witnessing Alex’s journey are her proud parents, Taryn (47) and Hugo, who have seen firsthand the unwavering dedication, discipline, sacrifice, and resilience she has demonstrated. Through the highs and lows, including heart-wrenching losses and injuries, Alex never wavered in her pursuit. Instead, she internalized the lessons, powering through relentlessly.
“We are very proud of her determination and resilience. Alex started playing squash seriously at a later age than most of her peers and it has been tough for her to achieve her goals. She was single-minded, through losses, injuries and all the lows. We are very excited for her and know that she will make the most of this experience!” says proud mum Taryn.
Alex’s influence extends beyond the squash court. As a role model to her cousin Leila King (13) and aspiring young female squash players, she embodies the spirit of tenacity necessary to thrive in this demanding sport. Squash, characterized by its intensity and near-combative nature, has played a pivotal role in Alex’s personal development, instilling in her valuable traits such as grit, determination, stress management, strategy, respect, sportsmanship, and grace in both victory and defeat.
Pictured above: Alex and her cousin Leila King engaged in a game of squash
“It is a privilege to be seen as a role model. I think when you are fighting hard for your goals you don’t always realise the impact you can have on the next generation of players. I certainly felt inspired by role models like Alexandra Fuller and Siyoli Waters who are South African players from my province that have played on the PSA tour. I will always keep this in mind and try my hardest every time I am on court, training or competing”. Alex tells us.
For Alex, this championship not only marks the pinnacle of her junior squash career but also serves as a springboard for future opportunities. With aspirations to study at international colleges or universities such as Trinity, Dartmouth, Birmingham, and many more where she plans to study an undergraduate degree in Business Science, this milestone brings her one step closer to her ultimate dream: representing her country in the Olympics, with squash poised to make its debut in the prestigious event in 2028.
“Alex would love to have a career in squash but it is a tough sport to make a living from in South Africa. For now Alex is focussed on Worlds this year, then university and the Olympics in 2028.” says Alex’s dad Hugo.
Pictured above: Alex training for her games
However, to turn her dream into reality, Alex faces a financial hurdle. With tournament fees, flights, accommodation, kit, and other related costs looming, the family has started a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy where they have already raised over R20 000 of their R110 000 goal with the help of 13 amazing donors, to alleviate the financial strain that Alex faces.
“Being a sportsperson in South Africa is a challenge as there is little to no funding available from the government or the sports bodies to help with the costs of competing locally or internationally. Funding the expenses for a tournament like Worlds, from South Africa with our weak exchange rate is very difficult. We are grateful for the opportunity that Alex has been given and we are extremely thankful to people who are willing to support her in her incredible journey.” Taryn and Hugo tell us.