2020 was supposed to be a year of high hopes, but it turned out to be a subdued season for junior squash player Noor Ainaa Amani Ampandi.
Entering her last season as a junior, the 18-year-old had started strongly by reaching the quarter-finals of the British Junior Open in January.
That gave her hope for a strong showing at the World Junior Championships and to climb the PSA rankings.
The Covid-19 situation, however, wiped out most tournaments, including the world junior meet.
On top of that, Ainaa's hopes of doing better than the quarter-finals in the British Juniors is also gone as the tournament has been called off this year.
Ainaa, however, is not giving up on her dreams just yet.
"It was unfortunate that my last junior year ended just like that.
"But there is the possibility that the World Juniors could be held in March, and I could still be eligible, so that's still some hope for me.
"As for my transition from junior to senior, we're still unsure in terms of PSA tournaments.
"My goal, for now, is to work on my weaknesses.
"It is going to be more challenging for me since I have to start balancing studies with squash again," added Ainaa, a pre-university student at the Bukit Jalil Sports School.
The Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia have lined up three PSA events next month with the world junior meet in March, pending approval.