WORLD champion Laura Massaro hopes to become the first British woman in 55 years to successfully defend her title at the Allam British Open.
Janet Morgan was the last Brit to successfully keep hold of her crown when she won 10 straight titles from 1950 to 1959.
Massaro accepts the pressure is on to see her name inscribed on the trophy again this year, but she isn't feeling overawed.
"The fact it has been 55 years shows how hard it is for a British Open winner to retain their title," she told the Mail, ahead of next week's action at the Hull Sports Arena, Walton Street.
"If it was easy to win it two years in a row, we wouldn't still be waiting.
"If I am to do it, I'm going to have to do it the hard way.
"On paper, I have a very tough draw with Joey Chan from Hong Kong in the first round. Then I could have another Hong Kong player Annie Au after that who I've lost to recently.
"I know the other players will be looking to shoot me down too because I'm the defending champion.
"They will want to raise their game against me and that is something I'm going to have to deal with.
"Anyone in the top six or seven could win the tournament, including Nicol David."
Massaro's preparations have gone well for her title defence.
Although she doesn't get to see much of the city whilst here, Massaro is excited to be back in the City of Culture 2017.
And after beating Nicol David in last year's final, she has praised Assem Allam for getting the women's event back on the international schedule after seeing it cancelled for two years before it was reinstated for 2012.
"Dr Allam deserves credit," she said. "It's a brilliantly unique event and I'm privileged to be able to play in it.
"I'm excited to be going back to Hull and there are plenty of positives from last year to take into this year's tournament.
"Hull is a great city to host the tournament, although I didn't get to see much of it last year because I was doing well in the tournament.
"It was a shame the finals had to be played indoors last year because the sun came out and it would have been great to see everyone at the football ground.
"But the event was very well supported and I was glad of the support I got for my semi-final and final, which surprised me because British crowds are usually quite quiet.
"They pushed me to do well and I'm very grateful to them. My goal now is to enjoy each round and see where that takes me."
• The tournament runs from May 12-18. For tickets and further details, visit the Allam British Open Squash website.