SportS
at school was a big change for me, but I eventually found feel so that’s what drew me in. It’s a battle – obviously I’m
my feet and I enjoyed playing squash there.” quite competitive as well so that helps.’
And it’s that very enjoyment that spurs Alistair on to keep Make no mistake, the game of squash is highly
playing the game. ‘Every time I go on to the court I just competitive and at the same time extremely strategic. I
love it – there’s always a challenge and there’s always watched as the two battled it out for five minutes in an
another dimension, there’s always stuff to learn.’ adrenaline-fuelled clash. Despite being just a friendly
game to showcase their talent for the Flavour shoot,
This is exemplified as his golden smile lights up the the drive and competitive will to strive for every ball of
squash courts at the Dolphin Square Sports Club in both players shone through, and left me with the
Pimlico where he’s playing. As his dreadlocks sway from conclusion that squash is one of the greatest games
side to side, I watch in amazement as a focused Alistair known for man.
Every t
ime I g
o on to
the co
urt
remains in
I just lo
ve it – t
here’s a
lways a c
halleng
e
pursuit of the ball with
poise and technique as he plays against his Great Britain
team-mate Adrian Grant.
Rules of the game
South London-born Adrian is currently ranked number 9
The squash scoring system is based on a “serving” system, in
in the world but played in the professional ranks of
which one must gain the serve to obtain a point. Having the serve is
sometimes considered to be on “offence”. The opponent (who does
another sport before eventually deciding to focus solely
not have the serve) is considered to be on the defensive, and must
on squash. score to win the serve and then score again to gain a point.
Ashie
‘I used to play football at a high level; I played for
Points are awarded if, during the course of play:
• The receiver fails to strike the ball before it has bounced twice
Chelsea’s youth team. I was 15 and I played for Chelsea
• The receiver hits the ball out (either on or above the out line, or
and the England squash team and it got to a point where on the tin)
they were saying that I had to commit to one. Being a • The receiver fails to hit the front wall with the ball before the ball
15-year-old all you think about is what makes you happy
has bounced
• Stroke: where the receiver obstructs the server during the point
ords by Richard
and what you enjoy, and I really enjoyed the one-on-one
competitiveness. With football my position was a striker.
Where the server does any of these things, or fails to hit the serve
If the ball didn’t get to me I used to get frustrated, but in, then the players change roles and the receiver will serve the next
with squash it’s you against one person – you’ve got
point, but no points are awarded.
no excuses.’
Games are usually played to 9 points (alternatively, the receiver may
opt to call “set two” and play to 10 when the score first reaches 8-8).
Having played to a high level at both sports it’s easy to
Competition matches are usually played to “best-of-five” (i.e. the
look at Adrian and see there was a definite conflict of player to win the most out of 5 games).
interest in his youth. Any uncertainties he had, however,
were dashed away when he touched the court and
football is now a distant memory. Log onto www.flavourmag.co.uk to watch an
exclusive video interview with Adrian Grant and
‘Squash is definitely my love. There’s no excuses – it’s Alistair Walker. For more info on the sport, check out
Photography by Jordan Roach • W you against another opponent. You get that gladiatorial www.englandsquashandracketball.com
www.flavourmag.co.uk 019
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