KUALA LUMPUR: Hafiz Zhafri Abdul Harif nearly quit squash after a spate of poor results.
The Kedahan, who turned professional in 2017, lost in the first round in three consecutive tournaments in Australia in July: the Bendigo International, Shepparton International and Victoria Open.
Hafiz also lost in the first rounds of the Tuanku Muhriz Open in Seremban in August and Queensland Open in Australia last month
The 22-year-old said he was very disappointed with his performances as he was seeded in the three tournaments in Australia, but fell in the first rounds.
"I felt disappointed as I was wasting taxpayers' money in losing in the first rounds in the three tournaments," said Hafiz, who won the Shepparton Open in Australia last year.
"I felt like I was cursed and I almost gave up squash. But my coach, Shahril (Shahidan) told me not to give up and continue training and playing."
And Hafiz's game seemed to have turned the corner. In the Hong Kong Challenge Cup in September, he did well to finish second despite being seeded seventh.
And though seeded fourth, he also reached the Bondi Open final in Sydney last week before going down to compatriot and third seed Bryan Lim.
Currently ranked world No. 203, Hafiz is set to break into the top 170 after his Bondi Open result.
For the first time, Hafiz has been selected for the World Team Championships in New Zealand from Dec 11-17 with Addeen Idrakie, Sanjay Jeeva and C. Ameeshenraj.
Hafiz said he was surprised to be picked for the world team competition after his inconsistent performances in PSA tournaments and that there are other senior players who are more experienced than him.
Hafiz will also compete in the CAS International in Islamabad, Pakistan, from Nov 30-Dec 3 where he will face homester Nasir Iqbal in the first round.