Sportfolio: Mark of a champion!

Nothing can make a man more responsible than his own child. This is evident in World No. 3 squash player Gregory Gaultier’s game. Known for throwing tantrums on the court the former World No. 1 has calmed down in last couple of years.

The 32-year-old admits his aggressive nature has cost him at times, but he is loving the new change in him courtesy his son. “I know after so many years where my weak point is. I understand how to deal with it now. Everyday I work hard on my game,” Gaultier said. The Frenchman was in Kolkata and Mumbai to play Squash Exhibition Series with India No 1. Saurav Ghosal and provide exposure to budding squash players.

Gaultier has improved his game, calmed down, resisted injuries and done everything to be at the top of his game. He has won many squash titles but the only thing elusive from his cabinet has been the World Open title.

“He (Gaultier) has curbed his anger. He has a two-and-a-half year old son (Nolan) with his wife, (Veronica). They got married last season. He has calmed down after his son was born. It shows in his squash. He is harder to break down and has grown in stature with experience. If you see his videos from four-year ago, and compare them to his game now, you can see the difference,” said Ghosal.

Gaultier reached the final of the World Open in 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2013, and would be looking to be fifth time lucky in Washington between November 15 and 22. At least it is in his hands to win the World Open. But one thing that is not in hands is getting an Olympic medal. Gaultier can’t even compete at the dream quadrennial event, as squash is not an Olympic sport.

Squash has failed thrice to join the Olympic roster and last time it missed its bid in 2013 when wrestling was reinstated in September (2013), having only been removed from the Olympic list six months earlier.

Like every squash player and fan, Gaultier is still hopeful that squash can make it to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. But even if squash is part of Olympics in 2020, Gaultier, who will be more than 37 years old by then may not be playing squash any more. “Squash in Olympics will be the biggest boost. The new IOC president (Thomas Bach) wants some new sports so we are hopeful squash can be part of the 2020 Games. The decision will be made in 2016. I don’t think I will be playing in 2020. I will see how it goes and take the decision on my career in 2017, you never know,” the two-time British Open and US Open winner said.

Gaultier who was on his third visit to India, felt squash is more spectators friendly now. “To be fair the investment PSA (Professional Squash Association) made, like asking ex- players to commentate to people who don’t know the sport, has improved the situation. The game has also been filmed (televised) from different angles and they have done a good job to show our sport in an improved manner over the last 2-3 years. Scoring system has changed. It is much more faster and aggressive,” he remarked.

The Frenchman faces similar problems back home like Indian squash players. Football and tennis are the most popular sports in France and squash takes a back seat. Lack of top-level events, less sponsorship and media attention draws parallels with India.

“Football and Tennis are the most followed games. Squash is coming up. Thierry Lincou became World No.1 in 2004 and me in 2009 and 2014. It has helped the game, but we need more events to attract the media. We mainly play in competitions outside the country,” he said while pitching for squash exchange programmes between France and India.

Gaultier is known on the PSA World tour for his imposing physical style and unrelenting stamina. His childhood passion of biking is a factor in his fitness besides gym workout. “I love biking and started doing it from an early age. It is my favourite pass time. I even follow Tour de France. But squash is the game I have played all life and I enjoy playing it,” he said.