WJC Profile: Madison Lyon

Australia’s top-ranked junior women’s player Madison Lyon says she’s in the perfect spot to take her game to the next level, training alongside the nation’s No.1 women’s player, Jess Turnbull.

As Madison prepares to lead Australia’s team to the WSF World Junior Championships in Melbourne from July 18-29, the 18-year-old has set a long-term goal to play at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria.

The Sandgate Squash Club junior is aiming to emulate her clubmate and training partner, Jess Turnbull, who made her Commonwealth Games debut at Birmingham in 2022.

“We’ve had a couple of chats about how good it would be to represent [Australia] with each other, I hope to do it at the next Comm Games with her,” Madison says.

“We’re just really good friends, she’s always there to talk to. She’s been through all the things I am going though within the sport, she’s a really good guide to me - a mentor.

“I’m probably the most fortunate junior in Australia, having her at my club and so available to me, because some of the [junior] girls don’t really have any top girls to hit with at their clubs.

“I try to push her as much as I can, we’re both very competitive people. Even though she’s way above me, I still strive to match her.”

Madison is also coached by Nathan Turnbull, Jess’s brother, at Sandgate Squash Centre, in Brisbane. Jess, who is targeting a medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, was full of praise for Madison’s work ethic.

“Maddy is one of the hardest working people I know, it’s been great watching her and her game develop into what it is now,” Jess says. “She’s a very passionate player and I know she has a bright future if she sticks with it.”

Madison began the sport at five, following her sister and dad along to the squash courts. But it wasn’t until she was 10, when she joined Sandgate, that she began to play consistently.

She has won the past two Australian Junior Opens at U19s level and this will be her second World Junior Championships as she begins the transition into more regular senior tournaments.

Madison lost the semi-finals of the Australian National Championships in June to Jess Turnbull, the eventual champion. One of her proudest moments in her young career was winning the South Australian Open in May. 

“That was a big one for me, a standout tournament,” Madison says. “It was my first tournament where I was away by myself, without my coach or anyone to support me. It was all on me.”

Madison is cautious about revealing too many of her specific goals, but says she’s willing to work hard to develop a career in squash.   

“I love all the hard work and effort you have to put in in training, and then you see your results shine through from that effort,” Madison says.

“I’m looking at going to the British Junior Open at the end of the year and then next year going to more tournaments in Asia to try and build my PSA ranking up.

“My mentality on court, that’s something that I’m really trying to work on.”

2023 WSF World Junior Championships
18-29 July | Melbourne Sports Centres VIC
Australian Squad
Men: Harvey Allan (VIC), Dylan Classen (WA), Oscar Curtis (WA), Connor Hayes (VIC), Ken Lamb (NSW), Thomas Scott (NSW)
Women: Erin Classen* (WA), Shona Coxedge (QLD), Amelie Guziak* (VIC), Madison Lyon* (QLD), Courtney Scholtz (VIC), Hannah Slyth* (WA)
* denotes competing in women’s team event
Coaches: Cassie Thomas, Stewart Boswell, Jenny Duncalf