Alison Waters – Squash Professional

I’m on the flight home from Chicago with 5 hours
to go on the clock, not that I’m counting down or anything….! I’m looking
forward to getting home after experiencing another polar vortex in Chicago. It
was freezing with temperatures as low as minus 14 and with Chicago being known
as the Windy City minus 14 with a wind chill is pretty awful.

Squash wise it was a mixed trip. First round I played Joey Chan and won 3-0. I
played well, I have had some tricky matches with Joey in the past as she is a
skill full little player. Next was onto the glass court in the amazing
cathedral hall, incredible venue with some amazing stained glass windows. A
very unique venue and somewhere I was looking forward to playing in.

I was up against Camille Serme and have been on the receiving ends of a few
loses to her at the end of last year, ( bar a win in league for me) so I knew
it was going to be tough match.

This time was no different and I lost 3-0. I thought Camille played well and
was definitely the better player on the day. She never allowed me to really
settle into the match and I struggled to gain the middle which is where I
thrive from. I had a game ball in the second and ended up losing that game
14-12. Being 2-0 down compared to 1-1 is a huge difference  especially when
I wasn’t feeling 100% comfortable on there at times so it was going to be a big
ask to get that back…which I didn’t!

So it was a a tough lose and even though I potentially could have been 1-1 with
her I wasn’t and a 3-0 is a 3- 0. Playing any sport professionally is tough and
I think someone on the outside doesn’t really understand the highs and lows
that go with playing. Having won the nationals two weeks ago and being on a
high after that and feeling confident coming into Chicago it’s definitely a
back to reality feeling.

However with any match you have to analysis it and watch it back as painful as
that can be.

It’s the only way to learn and to improve for next time. Yes winning is the
best feeling and losing is the worst but you actually learn more from losing
and having watched my match back I’m looking forward to getting home and to
working on things in training to improve my game.

I leave for the World Open in Penang on the 13th march so you can’t dwell on
losing a match for to long, you sulk for a day (which I did) then you have to
learn from it, be positive and be ready to work hard when you get home. A new
challenge lies ahead with the World Open and it’s the most important tournament
of the year so all my attention will be into preparing for that.

Onwards and upwards.

Ali xx

Semi-Finals
Alison Waters lost to Nicol David
11/8, 11/8, 12/10 (46m)

‘’The scores were close but I was always playing catch up really. I was never really in the lead and this paid the price in the end. I had to work hard to claw down her lead and even though I did get each game to 8-8 it was poor starts in the games which cost me. Nicol played really well and was hitting a good consistent straight drive and she was hitting her targets well. I really enjoyed the match and I know that I pushed Nicol in all three games. She knows she has to work hard to beat me as I’m not going to lie down at all.

Some positives to take away from the match though and there are always things to work on and build on for the next event. I had played well in my first two rounds beating Amanda Sohby and then Sarah Jane Perry 3-0 so I knew going into the match I was playing well and I was feeling fresh which is key. It’s an amazing event here and the court setting is one of the best we play in. It’s a tournament where you want to keep playing and winning so you can keep performing on that amazing stage.

We are staying in New York for a few more nights then back to our billets in Brooklyn where we will stay and train until next Wednesday which is when we go to Cleveland for the next tournament.

The weather has been so cold here this week that this is the first time in New York where I haven’t even been shopping yet or even done much. All I know is its freezing and I don’t think I was built for the cold!! All good fun though and to play in Grand Central Station in New York City has to be up there with one of the best things!’’

Ali xx