By Muin Abdul Majid

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- Squash queen Nicol David may have been bombarded with numerous congratulatory messages and greetings following her successful defence of her World Open title in Belfast.

But the one she received from Putrajaya today was extra special for it came from none other than Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who told the young lady from Penang that the nation was very proud of her.

"Maybe you can do it for the third time," the Prime Minister said in a telephone conversation with Nicol who is having a short break in Amsterdam.

"You are proof that Malaysians can achieve excellence, glory and distinction if they work hard enough," Abdullah said.

He also paid tribute to Nicol's parents whose sacrifices and support have made their daughter what she is today -- a world champion.

Nicol beat Australian Natalie Grinham 1-9, 9-7, 3-9, 9-5, 9-2 in a battle that lasted 98 minutes on Sunday.

She described to Abdullah the struggle that she had gone through in the final in Belfast before being crowned the winner.

An aide at the Prime Minister's Office told Bernama that Abdullah had been trying to contact Nicol since yesterday to congratulate her, but had encountered problems due to the time difference and only managed to speak to her today.

-- BERNAMA