Chris Simpson in action against world number 20 Shahier Razik at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0289706)
A NIGHTMARE season has not dented Chris Simpson’s belief that he has what it takes to join the world’s elite.
The 21-year-old Guernseyman insisted his long-term ambitions had not changed even though a succession of injuries has kept him out of action for several months and seen him slip more than 30 places in the world rankings, having reached a high of 51.
‘Most people peak aged about 28, but on a realistic scale, I need to make moves in the next two years,’ Simpson said during a brief return to the island. ‘I don’t want to be what I call a floating player, who floats around 25-35 in the world rankings. If I get there and stagnate, I think I would start looking for another career.
‘The top 16 is the place to be and I see that as a realistic goal for me.’
To achieve that, he desperately needs to string together an uninterrupted season. Importantly, though, he has the belief that he ‘can play with anyone’ and now it is more about his physicality than his squash ability.
‘Last season was pretty bad for me in terms of injuries. When I played, I actually played really well,’ he said.
‘This time last year I had a hernia operation, but I had to go out and play tournaments for my ranking points.
‘Then in November I had a knee injury that kept me out until February and in my first week back from that I ruptured all my ankle ligaments and chipped the bone.
‘My ranking has gone backwards because of it and will do so for the next few months because I cannot play enough tournaments to prevent that.’
However, there can be no doubting his desire to return to action.
For someone young enough to have many of his former school friends still at university, Simpson has plenty of experience, as emphasised by the fact that he has represented the island at two Commonwealth Games.
Yet his passion for the sport, despite his recent disappointments, seems to grow.
‘It is hard work, but I love it [being a full-time professional]. I think I have had the worst part of it, being injured for the best part of a season.
‘You do go to a lot of places [around the world], but you don’t get to see that much. It’s just that playing squash is what I want to do. I am sure it makes me much more tired than if I was studying, but it’s wicked.’
Particular performances in the past have also convinced Simpson that he can be a success.
‘Last year I played six tournaments in total and withdrew from one of those [during a match] with injury. In the only tournament I played when relatively fit, I had a really good win,’ he said.
‘I beat a French guy, Renan Lavigne, who was then around 24 in the world [currently 27] and who had beaten players in the top 10.
‘A week after that I had the hernia operation.’
That victory earned Simpson a place at the high profile Saudi International where he lost to world number nine Pete Barker.
He felt that he was a bit out of his depth in that match due to a lack of match fitness.
The following week in the Qatar Classic he again showed his potential in a 3-2 defeat to Omar Mosaad, who is now number 24 in the world.
‘I was 2-1 up, but got tired. I was pleased, though, because he is a real shot player and I stuck with him.’
The Sarnian is now back on the court following his injuries and into his rehabilitation ahead of the forthcoming season.
‘The plan now is to go on tour in September,’ Simpson said.
‘Next month I have got quite a few national squad sessions – the selectors have been really good and stuck with me – and that will help with my fitness.
‘I then need to pick what tournaments I will do in September, and up to the World Championships in Manchester in October.’
Simpson admitted that trying to select the right ones to enter is a ‘really important’ part of being a professional.
‘This year is going to be harder for me to get into some events because I am not ranked as high [as last season].
‘My aim is not to be travelling as much. Having had quite a few injuries, I do not want to put my body through 24-hour flights every week.
‘If I am fully fit for the whole season, I will play between 18 and 20 tournaments. Only a maximum of five will be in Europe.’
Abu Dhabi, Nigeria and Kenya are possible destinations as squash spreads its net to new countries.
However, Harrogate-based Simpson will not lose his affinity with the island and wished that he could return home more often.
‘I would like to do a lot more over here,’ he said.
‘When in the island I do not have to travel as much compared to England where I am driving for at least half-an-hour every day to get to a venue, whether it be Manchester, Sheffield, Pontefract or wherever.
‘It is nice to be able to do a session and then go home and chill out, which I can do here.
‘It’s just a shame it costs so much to get back.’
Article posted on 1st August, 2008 - 2.29pm
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