India’s No 1 squash player Saurav Ghosal is set to make a comeback at the Australian Open next month after a four month-long injury lay-off. Ghosal injured his foot during the semifinal of the Irish Open against Tarek Momen on April 11.
“It was an unfortunate injury because I had made prefect movement towards the ball and it was not like I turned my ankle or anything. One of the tendons on my toe and the underside of my foot got injured and I could not even walk after that,” Ghosal said.
The world No 26 was two games up before the injury forced him to forfeit the match. He said, “I was sad as I had a chance to go to the final and was playing well, but injuries are a part of the game. I have worked hard towards gaining the same form I was in during that period.”
He was bed-ridden for three and a half weeks before he could start with the recovery process.
Ghosal faces the Australian Stewart Boswell in the first round of the tournament in Australia. “It is going to be a tough tournament as there are some really good players playing there. I have played Boswell just once and had lost that game, I am hoping to do better this time,” he said.
Following the Australian Open, Ghosal’s next assignment would be leading the country in the World teams event in Germany. He said, “Last time we couldn’t do well in this competition because of a number of injuries during the tournament. This time around we are hoping to do well and aiming for the top-8 or at least top-10. It is going to be an uphill task for us but it is not unachievable.”
Ghosal is a two-time Asian Games bronze medallist but since the sport is not a part of the Olympic he has not had a chance to become an Olympian. “Olympics is the biggest stage where sportspersons can show their skills. It is very unfortunate that squash is not a part of the Games. It is not something that is in the hands of the players but the squash fraternity is hoping and pushing for its inclusion in the future Olympics,” Ghosal said.
Comments