Ball, Wall, and Duncan Lee: The Fight of a Squash Athlete

"Never give up and always be confident in myself, no matter what I want to do," are the words Duncan Lee always remembers before entering the 9.75-meter by 6.4-meter court. Behind the glass door, with the lights shining, there is only him, his racket, and a small black ball ready for him to bounce. He doesn’t just stare at the ball, but also at the dream he has been fighting for all this time.

Duncan at Japan Squash Open 2025. (Source: Duncan Lee) 

A Simple Beginning, a Big Support 

At first, squash was just a game played for fun, a hobby without any pressure. However, as time went by, this sport began to play a much bigger role in the life of this Sabahan Athlete. From being just a hobby, squash became the main focus that shaped his life and made him who he is today. 

The journey of the 23-year-old squash athlete has not been easy. Behind each of his achievements is a lot of hard work, sacrifice, and, above all, the endless support of his family. His parents, especially his mother, played a big part in his journey. Their support wasn't just financial, but also emotional, moral, and confidence-building, which kept Duncan going when he faced challenges.

The Unexpected Turning Point 

For most 13-year-olds, that age is a time to enjoy life, play, and have fun with friends and family. This was not the case for Duncan, who was sent to Kuala Lumpur, a city far from his hometown, to attend squash school. Initially, Duncan was unwilling and shocked by his mother's decision, but that moment became a turning point in his life. 

But life has a unique way of turning us around. What he didn't want at all became what he felt he wanted to fight for, what he wanted to commit to. From the small achievements and rewards he received in his youth to his achievements now. This is what he feels he wants to do.

How Squash Shaped His Character 

"Squash has really helped my personality ... discipline, wisdom, and also how to manage my daily schedule," said Duncan. In the past, Duncan was not a disciplined person. He often depended on his parents for everything and was not used to managing his own time and responsibilities. Through the small achievements he has made, Duncan has realized the importance of discipline and independence. He no longer just hopes for his parents' help, but works hard to create real results.

A Day in the Life of a Dedicated Athlete 

Duncan's schedule is almost like a machine that runs automatically every day. His training starts from 9 am to 11 am, continues from 3 pm to 5 pm, and ends with a final session from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. It's a very packed schedule that sometimes makes him unmotivated and overworked. But for Duncan, it is all part of his journey, part of the process he must go through to achieve his dreams for the future. Although training keeps him fit and strong, he often feels frustrated on the court, feeling that his game is far from perfect. 

From Near Defeat to Historic Victory

For all athletes, winning is the goal of a match. None of them want to lose. Duncan tries to win every match but the journey isn't always smooth. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Duncan wanted to give up, to quit the world of squash that he had been a part of his life for so long. The exhaustion and uncertainty made him question whether he should continue his career. But again, he assured himself that winning and losing are normal, that they are part of his progress in the long term. 

The victory that he still remembers and always smiles about when he recalls it is the British Junior Open in 2017. "The British Junior Open really means a lot to me, because that was one of my biggest achievements during the junior tournament." At that time, Duncan was only 15 years old and ranked 16th in the tournament. He himself had doubts about his ability to go far. However, he decided to challenge himself with the minimum goal of reaching the final. 

The pressure peaked in the quarterfinals. He admitted that he felt overwhelmed and almost gave up against his more favored opponent. But at that moment, Duncan found strength within himself, a belief that he could exceed what had always seemed impossible. The result, an extraordinary achievement that surprised everyone, including himself. He managed to advance all the way to become the runner-up, making history in his young career.

The Next Five Years: Big Dreams and Ambitions 

The journey that Duncan has gone through has not stopped him from continuing to dream. Five years from now, when he reaches the age of 28, an age considered to be the peak for most athletes and the prime time to achieve great things. Duncan has two big goals he wants to achieve. 

First, he wants to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the biggest stage for athletes around the world. Second, he aims to be ranked among the top 30 best squash players in the world. This vision is not just an empty dream. He has prepared himself with a strong determination and constant hard work in order to achieve these two goals. For him, every day of training and every match is a small step towards that big dream.

A Message to the Next Generation 

"They must focus on this journey, stay on track, and always believe in what they do" Duncan had a strong message and hope for the next generation of squash players in Malaysia. He wants future batches to focus on the long term. It's not easy; there are always ups and downs, like a rollercoaster, but they still have to manage and always look for bigger opportunities and brighter futures. Duncan's message is not just words, but an encouragement to believe and fight without giving up, so that big dreams can be achieved step by step, with patience and diligence.