Daily Racquetball’s Women Crush Wednesday Racquetball Influencers!

AKA Women Making Racquetball History Now!

We will feature another woman making racquetball history every Wednesday. Do you know someone else we should be celebrating with this interview and feature process? Drop us a line on Facebook!

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Name: Susy Acosta

Are you a pro player, coach, association board member, tournament organizer, or racquetball broadcaster AKA why do racquetball players know you?

I am a pro player and also a coach.

Where do you promote racquetball on social media and the web?
Facebook Athlete Page: https://www.facebook.com/SusyAcostaRacquetball/
Twitter: @susyacosta12
Instagram: susyacostaraquet

Country of Origin: Mexico
Place you consider home: Chihuahua

Have you ever been on your country’s national team? When?:
Yes, from 1997 to 2015

Did you play as a junior?
I played three times: one 16´s and two 18´s. That was the time when Mexico started to play junior worlds, I never did well though. In those days the US and Canada dominated.

Playing hand: Left

Year you started playing racquetball: 1991

First female mentor or idol in racquetball:
At the time there were no female coaches in my city, my mentor was Javier Moreno Sr. Back then the best player in Chihuahua was Diana Almeida and I looked up to her.

Favorite racquetball shot: The serve

Motivation for the game (what keeps you playing):
‘ve been asking myself that lately, since it has been too long and this past season was far from good to me. But I suppose that it is a part of me and I like it so much.

Love most about racquetball:
The friends that I’ve made, the places that I’ve been able to see and the feeling you get when winning.

Preferred equipment:
My preferred racquet is E-force, not too tight tension. Any e-force glove I like as well, I like the 18 gauge for my string. I put a lot of attention in my tournament outfits, I like to look good and have a professional image on court, I guess everybody does (and should). Back in the day, when I started playing the tour, only Jackie Paraiso wore skirts, I always thought she looked great, so in the second tournament that I played (US Open 98) I had to play her in the 16´s, so went to find myself a nice little skirt. It was my first one and I believe I still have it somewhere. I did not win, but at least I looked the part haha.

Favorite event:
I’ve had several throughout the years, US Open used to be my fave, but then other women’s pro stops started like the ones in the DC area: Christmas Classic and the one in Herndon, VA. Both events are now gone but they were great! Mexico tournaments are usually fun and also convenient for me and all the other Mexicans.

Best results at tournaments you’ve played in:
In the pro tour I’ve never made it to a final, only semis, two of those were at the US Open.
In the international competition the last Pan American championship I played I won silver and gold in singles and doubles. I wasn’t even suppose to go but one of the players couldn’t go, and that was one of my best performances. I had won several gold medals at Pan Am championships but the most significant was the one I won with Rosy Torres at the Santo Domingo Pan American Games, since it was the first for Mexico in racquetball.

Day job:
I work as a racquetball pro in a club. Also as a florist in a small flower business I have. I’m very versatile haha

Charity close to your heart:
In the past years I’ve been an activist for animal and human rights. I can not tolerate injustice so I had to get involve in things. In Mexico there is a lot of cruelty towards all kind of animals so I try my best to do my part, as much as I can to change things.

Family shoutout:
Parents Carlos and Tere for their unconditional love and husband Jerry for his endless support in everything I start!

Other sports played in addition to racquetball:
Not really, maybe a little fronton, it’s a sport you cant find in the US. It comes from Spain and it is played in most latin American countries.

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Do you know someone else we should be celebrating with this interview and feature process? Drop us a line on Facebook!