(Reuters) - Malaysia's eight-time world squash champion Nicol David will retire at the end of the season, the 35-year-old has said.
David, who won the Asian Squash Championship a record nine times and was ranked world number one for a total of 112 months, is considered the greatest women's player of all time with 81 PSA singles titles.
"After more than 20 years playing squash for Malaysia, competing on the professional tour and achieving the utmost best from my career... I can proudly say that I am ready and happy to announce my retirement at the end of this seasonal tour," David said in a statement.
"This decision has been thought through for quite some time and I do know this is my last season.
"This is a moment that every athlete must go through, to explore fully on what more there is in store for them. I am now at this point in my life, ready to take on more beyond the pro tour."
David said she would be joining the PSA after her retirement to help raise awareness of the sport while also helping young girls "reach their full potential" through the Nicol David Foundation.
David will be competing at the World Championship for the final time when the tournament starts on Feb. 23 in Chicago.
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
