This is the second in a series of articles written by the top-ranked U.S Squash Professionals about their lives on tour. These articles will cover some of the players’ training routines, travel experiences, and thoughts about the tournaments they compete in around the world. Welcome to the life of a US professional touring pro.
Amanda Sobhy
While most teenagers my age are spending their two months of summer vacation working as a lifeguard or hanging out with friends at home, I was out traveling the world. Within the span of two months, I traveled to five of the seven continents (North America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia). Now, how many teenagers at the age of 17 are able to say that? Being a squash player has opened so many doors for me. Not only am I traveling to these incredible countries, but I am also making a name for myself and for US Squash!
This summer has been incredible because on June 29th (my birthday) I won the 2010 Junior World Open, in Cologne, Germany! I became the first American to ever win a world title and it is a feeling that cannot be described. I don’t think it has even fully sunk in yet! Clearly it has been the best accomplishment that I have achieved so far, but I was also able to show the squash players around the world that the US can produce a world champion too!
Going from playing junior tournaments to competing in WISPA events has raised my level of squash. Instead of being at the top of the junior circuit, I am now playing tournaments with draws that seed Nicol David and Jenny Duncalf! I have to train harder and smarter for all of my WISPA events. It’s never easy and, in fact, I traveled to Australia to play the Australian Open only to find myself playing Duncalf in the first round. That can be pretty intimidating to find yourself up against the number two player in the world. At the same time, you gain so much experience, plus it’s amazing to just watch these top players.
As much as I love traveling, I constantly have to unpack and pack my bags every week and when you over pack like I do, it’s not the easiest task. However, when you are both training and playing a lot you need tons of clothes, so I guess it goes with the territory. When I think about my summer I think of how I am traveling on my own to so many incredible countries. This allows me to not only mature as an individual, but to gain knowledge of the world. Best of all, I am doing this while playing a sport that I love. Add to it that I am only 17 and I couldn’t think of doing anything better for a summer vacation!
