Different people have different trajectories, says Saurav Ghosal
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Indian squash ace Saurav Ghosal claims that different players have different trajectories at the top level as he continues to impress on the big stage despite being in his 30s. Ghosal added that he is adamant on building a legacy and that is the only thing that motivates him to keep going.
In 2004, Sourav Ghosal became the first Indian ever to win the pristine British Junior Open Under-19 Squash title as he had outplayed Adel El Said of Egypt in the final at Sheffield, England. That was the start of the journey for the Kolkata lad who entered the top-10 rankings for the first time in his career in April 2019, almost 15 years after his historic triumph in England.
Ghosal, who was the first Indian to reach the quarterfinals of the World Championship, revealed that in his decade long career, he has seen many ups and downs. The 32-year old squash ace also added that different players have different trajectories at the top level.
“Different people have different trajectories. Tarek Momen, for example, is world No. 3 and he is 31 and he has matured really well over the last one-and-a-half, two years. At nearly 37, Greg (former world No. 1 Gregory Gaultier) would have been in the top 10 but is injured. If I didn’t think I had an equal shout of making top 5 as Diego Elias (who is 22 and world No. 8), I wouldn’t be playing today.
“There is a big jump to be made, squash-wise, mentality-wise and obviously the ability to do it week in and week out. Those three things took me that much time. Since September last year it has been something I have been sort of building towards, something that happily happened for me on April 1 when I made the top 10,” Ghosal said in a recent interview with Hindustan Times.
Ghosal turned pro in 2003 and was ranked as world number 15, five years ago. However, he has enjoyed great success since signing up with Australian squash ace and former world number one - David Palmer who also trains world current world number two Mohamed Elshorbagy of Egypt.
Saurav, who currently resides in Leeds, added that the sole motive of leaving behind a legacy is what drives him towards success on the big stage.
“I want to win in a way that people enjoy watching me do it. That adds to your legacy. Yes the legacy is there in terms of me being an Indian player but what can I do to make that legacy on the world stage? That is what keeps me going,” the squash player concluded.
