Sarah-Jane Perry: “I’ve been playing some really good squash. If I can bring it all together, I’ll do well.”

England’s No.7 seed on spending time with her English teammates at big tournaments, her recent form on the court and getting the balance right off court.

Compared to most who will descend on Manchester for this week’s AJ Bell PSA World Championships, it’s a short trip up the M6 for England’s Sarah-Jane Perry.

The Birmingham-born player is raring to go for her first Worlds on home soil, having been a spectator the last time the event visited the city – when she saw Nick Matthew spurred on by the home crowd to clinch his third World title four years ago.

2017 has been a mixed bag for Perry, who built on her promising form at February’s Cleveland Classic to overcome Malaysian superstar Nicol David as she finished runner up at this year’s Allam British Open, in the first all-English final since 1991.

It was a similar story in September, when Perry triumphed again over David to claim a well-deserved PSA Tour win at the US Net Suite Open.

The 2015 British National champion might be heading into the worlds as England’s second-highest ranked player, but Perry is determined not to be side tracked by her mixed fortunes on the court of late – including early exits at the World Series Finals in Dubai and the China Open.

“It’s been a bit of an up and down start to the season,” admits Perry.

“I’ve just been trying to concentrate on playing the best squash that I can. Physically, my preparations have been good so there’s no reason why I can’t do that if I get it right on the day.

“If I can do well and make it further on in the week, I’ll be happy. I’ve been playing some really good squash, so if I can bring it all together I’ll do well.”

Perry is one of six English women who have qualified for the main draw this week. Will it be different being around her compatriots at such a high-profile event? Not so according to Perry, who believes in spending down-time wisely off the court.

“When we’re not at team events, it is really all about what you need to do for your preparation and making sure you do everything to your schedule,” said Perry.

“Obviously you’re going to interact with other players – often you’re going to share a hotel room with a few of them.

“This week I’m sharing with Alison Waters and we’ve found that’s a good balance.

“I’m good friends with Alison, but it’s not always who your best friends are because it’s who you can be able to relax around and find it easiest to do what you need to do and not get on each other’s nerves! Me and Alison seem to have perfected that one.”

And the Coventry-based hitter is hoping the crowd will get behind her as she bids to better her second-round finish in 2016.

“I came to watch the semi-finals when the men’s was here in 2013 and I know what an amazing atmosphere the home crowd creates and I think that really helped Nick along the way then.

“You don’t always need the adrenaline of the crowd, but it does give you a nice boost sometimes when you’re getting a bit tired or you need a bit of a kick up the bum!”

Watch SJ in action at the PSA AJ Bell World Championships from 8-17 December - buy tickets now