Thursday, January 21, 2010

Trash talk and sledging!

Due to a recent request I'd thought I'd write about what goes on, on-court and off-court, in terms of trash talk and sledging between the players. I hate to disappoint but there really isn't a lot of it going on. That's not to say that it doesn't happen at all though! You will always get match ups between players where there might be a bit of history or players who simply don't get on, but it's not usually anything vicious.

To be honest I don't think there's anything wrong with a bit of chit chat on court. I know Goughy was a master of it back in the day. I've seen him play matches where he literally didn't shut up the whole match! He tried to get in my ear when we played in Bermuda years ago but I managed to laugh it off and beat him in 4.

A current player who loves a bit of a sledge would be Liam Kenny. He's a funny bugger! We were playing in Halifax a couple of years ago in the first round and I got the first 2 points of the match in about 5 seconds. He served, I volley dropped. Winner. I served, he drove, I volley dropped. Winner. After the first point he's just gone, 'Bit early for that isn't it?!'. After the second he's gone, 'Yeah that's 2 cheap points. Well done'. He said both comments with a totally serious look on his face. I've just started pissing myself laughing! I couldn't stop! I've had to walk to the front wall and back to get myself together!

So although there's nothing personal going on, there's always a cheeky little comment or two being thrown around. It's all fun and games really and I see it as a part of sport. If someone can crack mentally from a comment or two then you'd take advantage of it. No?

Cam

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cam...could be that you're just too nice a guy on court that it hasn't happened to you but you've got to admit it happens when one or the other is no longer happy talking through the ref and the lets are flowing... good clean fun though, not usually a big deal... Loved your Halifax story - why no return there this year, just changing it up with a trip to Sweden?

Anonymous said...

This was great, very amusing, loved reading it. Keep it up, don't be shy okay, what about now some of the well so-so tactics on court? The hip checks, the subtle push in the back, elbows and the like? Any players you really don't like playing?

I get to see the Bos man play tomorrow at the TOC do you think he'll get back to top ten? And what about you, will you break top 10, what will it take? Inquiring minds want to know...

Cameron said...

Glad it was a good read! Well of course there are hip checks, elbows, pushes etc in the game of squash. Like sledging, it doesn't happen every match but they are part of the game. It's when blocking etc becomes all too evident and dominates a match and you're on court playing a game of rugby not squash, that ruins it for everyone.
For me personally, top 10 is definitely a goal and no stone will be left unturned this year in trying to achieve that.

Anonymous said...

good effort against ramy, should come back next year, your parents karakal stall was really cool aswell