With squash set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, Olivia Weaver, who won the 2023 national women's squash championship at the Arlen Specter U.S. Squash Center in Philadelphia, now has her sights set on gold. Currently ranked sixth in the world, the Chestnut Hill native is working to represent the United States on the sport's biggest stage yet.

"If I had the opportunity to not only call myself an Olympian but go ahead and earn a medal, it would be a life-changing experience," Weaver said, her eyes firmly set on the future even as she continues to dominate the present.

Meanwhile, if you see her walking down the street with rackets in her hand, don’t ask if they’re for tennis. Her game of choice has always been squash.

It started while she was very young. Dolls and princesses never caught her attention, but the thrill of competition did. Around the age of five, Weaver’s parents began signing her up for different types of sports and it was love at first sight with squash – and the Philadelphia Cricket Club quickly became a safe haven.

“It’s just a very involved tight-knit community that’s really passionate about the sport,” Weaver said. “So the fact that I grew up in that environment, I think, is a huge reason why I’m now playing it almost 25 years later and still have such a deep love for the game.”

Junior clinics at the club served not only as opportunities to challenge her athletic ability, but also as fun social gatherings with other kids. Initially, Weaver's sweet tooth motivated her play – the more targets she hit with the ball, the more candy she got at the end. But before long, her mom was having to drag her off the court because she didn't want to leave.

After graduating from Germantown Friends School, Weaver went on to play squash at Princeton University for four years. Although she struggled with injuries throughout her college career, Weaver took home plenty of accolades at Princeton, including winning Ivy League Rookie of the Year as a freshman and being one of three finalists for the Richey Award (the top individual honor in women’s college squash) as a senior. She was also awarded All-Ivy League honors and first-team All-America honors in each of her four years.

Going Pro

Despite all of these accomplishments, Weaver says the decision to go pro did not come naturally. While she was growing up, there weren't many Americans playing on the professional tour, and even fewer ways to watch professional games. Weaver credits her former coach Karen Kronemeyer with first planting the seed that she could become a professional. By her senior year at Princeton in 2018, her parents, coaches, friends, and boyfriend (now husband) were all encouraging her to go for it.

“You only get a shot to do this once and it would be a bummer if you were 30 or 40 and look back and regret not having given it a shot,” Weaver said.

Now, six years into her professional career, that decision has definitely worked out. Currently ranked sixth in the world in women's squash, Weaver has reached as high as fourth in the global rankings. Among her many achievements, she won Pan Am Games singles gold, team gold, and women's doubles silver in the fall of 2023 and her first ever world medal with a bronze in Cairo earlier this year.

Reflecting on her national championship win in Philadelphia, Weaver said, "It's very rare that I have my people outside the glass to look to in those moments. It was a performance I was really proud of. It was incredibly special."

While winning championships and earning high rankings does bring pressure, Weaver says she has been able to remain process-oriented and surround herself with people who value effort over results. She humbly attributes much of her success to her mentors and coaches over the years, including Gail Ramsay, Graeme Williams, Peter Nicol, Rodney Martin, Brigita Roemer, and Danny Massaro. She also credits her parents, Stacy and Bayard Fiechter.

“[My parents] always placed an emphasis on the way I carried myself on and off the court and how I treat people, rather than results, and I think that this is largely why I’ve developed such a healthy relationship with the game,” Weaver said.

With plenty of milestones under her belt already, Weaver still has her sights set on more. Squash has officially been added as a sport for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, and Weaver is aiming to perform on the biggest stage in sports. 

Another goal is to continue increasing awareness about the game. She hopes to inspire young athletes to keep working hard and pursue their dreams of playing at the highest level. 

Off the court

In the fall of 2023, Weaver achieved another milestone: marrying her fellow Princeton alum Bobby Weaver. The two enjoy playing sports together and visiting their favorite local ice cream shop, 1-900-ICE-CREAM.

“The emotional highs and lows that come with professional sport are inevitable and Bobby is truly my rock throughout it all and always helps me keep perspective on what is most important,” Weaver said. “I know it can’t be easy for him when I am traveling the world for up to 4-5 weeks sometimes, yet he always makes me feel completely supported as I strive to be the best player in the world. He also happens to be the most disciplined, hard-working person I know, so I feel lucky that I get to spend everyday with someone who sets such an amazing example.”

Although Weaver now lives in Center City with Bobby, her hometown of Chestnut Hill will always have a special place in her heart. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever walked down Germantown Avenue without bumping into someone I know and being genuinely excited to see and catch up with them,” Weaver said. “The people and the community in Chestnut Hill have played such an important role in shaping who I am as a person.”