World No 12 Joelle King was quick to praise Squash New Zealand officials after she captured a sixth national title in Havelock North yesterday.
"It's good that they managed to change the dates for the nationals. In the past when they were held in August and September it was tough for some of us playing overseas to choose whether or not to come back. This is pretty special to come back and see as well as play against some of the players I grew up with," King said.
The Cambridge -based former world No 4 - who missed last year's nationals because of a clash with the Hong Kong Open - beat third seed Megan Craig of Blenheim 11-4, 11-6, 12-10 in her final to complete a weekend of straight-sets victories.
"Megan fought back well in the third when I had match point at 10-7," King, 28, recalled.
King also praised her semifinal opponent, Palmerston North teenager Kaitlyn Watts.
"She's only 16 and she's New Zealand's best junior. I didn't take her lightly at all, she's a good talent."