Saurav Ghosal will break into top 10 soon

On a warm Tuesday afternoon, a few privileged Mumbai kids had the chance to do what many top professionals squash players have to fight real hard for: play with Gregory Gaultier.

For the non-squash fans, Gaultier is the current World No. 2. The 32-year-old Frenchman turned pro in 1999, and has since won 26 world titles including the prestigious British Open and US Open, both of which he has won twice. He was in Mumbai to play an exhibition match with Saurav Ghosal at the Cricket Club of India, but it was with the kids when he was at his animated best. Not only did he play with them, he also fine-tuned some of them, having a word with the little ones whenever he spotted something that he could improve in their game. He knows that champions are made early – he won the British Junior Open at the age of 18 – and he knows that Indian squash has a lot of potential.

"Saurav is one of the best Indian players ever," Gaultier said after his stint with the kids. "He is in the top 20 right now ((21, actually), and I'm sure he'll break into top 10 soon. That's what I hope for him. And hopefully, all these events will inspire kids. I was in Kolkata and I saw so many kids playing in his club, and here as well. Hopefully the coaches can do a good job with the kids."

In many ways, India and France are in the same boat as far as squash is concerned. Both countries have other sports that are far more popular (India: cricket, France: football), both countries have a lack of public clubs to play squash in, and both countries are desperately seeking a boost for the sport in their country.

"We have lot of sports and good athletes. So it's difficult to be on top with our main sports being football and tennis. But with good results, we're in the news. We're trying our best to bring the sport up in France, but there's still a long way to go. We need big events to attract media, TV and show the public what squash is really about," he said, adding not many people notice him outside his city.

Talking of big events, an Olympic entry for squash in 2020 in Tokyo would do the trick, isn't it?

"Being part of Olympics would be the biggest boost for our sport. It would get even more known. We still have a chance. It will be decided next year. The new IOC president (Thomas Bach) wants to bring new sports in. That's the only thing missing from our sport," he said.

Gaultier has had an eventful career so far, reaching the World No. 1 summit thrice, but losing it in quick time. How tough is it to be at the top for long?

"It's very difficult. You have big competition. It's harder nowadays compared to few years ago. If I play Saurav now, anyone can win. Few years ago, if I played the World No. 20, I'd win comfortably. Everyone has improved and raised the bar. Playing the first round can be as hard as playing the final," he said.

Trust him to know that. Of all his silverware from around the globe, Gaultier is yet to win the all-important World Open despite making it to four of its finals. He lost the first, back in 2006, after being two games up against Egypt's David Palmer.

"It was (mental pressure). Every year you think of that. You go into the final, face the same situation and you always have flashbacks. You dream of such things, and dreams can put pressure on you. Some people manage it will, some struggle. I didn't manage it well. Some finals I've played really well, and my opponent played better on that day. There's maybe one or two I should have won, but it's no the end of the world," he said.

Gaultier has now become mentally tougher, thanks largely to one word: determination.

"Everyday you wake up, you have to set goals. Without goals, you go nowhere. Goals can be easy or tough, but you need something to motivate you. Everyday is different. There are phases in your career when you are dynamic, winning everything, and sometimes you go right down. That's when you have to come back up. That's when you have to show your mind," he said.

More than the mind, Gaultier is known for his unrelenting stamina on the court. What's his secret?

"I train four hours on the court. But on top of that, I do a lot of stretching. I do a lot of visualization exercises, breathing exercises. I watch a lot of videos. I do yoga. So it all adds up to five-six hours. The whole day is about squash. You wake up, you think of your session, you anticipate. Even when you sleep you think of it," he said.

Hope the kids were listening.

When Ghosal answered for Gaultier
Saurav Ghosal and Gregory Gaultier seem good friends, for the Indian knows a thing or two about the Frenchman. Asked if he has reduced his on-court aggression that was associated with him over the years, Gaultier said, "You can ask him (Ghosal). I'm going to say yes, of course."
Ghosal duly stepped in. "He's got a two-and-half year old son (Nolan). He got married last summer as well. I think having the son and the patience that goes with it has helped him a bit. He's calmer than what he was before, and it goes to show in his squash as well. He's much harder to break down now than before," Ghosal said.
"I guess it's better late than never, eh?" Gaultier chuckled.