By Lee Clow
With Nine National titles and Eight PSA Titles to his name, it is fair to say that Peter Creed has achieved more than most would ever dream about as a squash player.
The Caerphilly born star has been involved with squash since he was 10 years old, and by 2007 he turned professional. Currently, Reed is ranked 146th in the World Rankings having most recently reached the final of the Czech Pro Series V.
Speaking on what life was like being a professional in his beloved sport, Creed said: “Life as a squash professional is exhilarating, exhausting, and exciting all at the same time. Every day we push ourselves to the limit both physically and mentally, in the effort to succeed in the next league, tournament or practice match”
“It’s a fun lifestyle where you’re able travel the world with friends, compete and if successful, come away with some tour titles alongside some great memories.” Added Creed.
At 34 years old, Creed is at the latter stages of his career, however he continues to train at the peak of his powers. Creed revealed: “Training usually consists of 2 sessions a day for 6 days of the week. This is typical for most squash players but vary individually in training load and focus. I tend to take a half day Saturday and half day once in the week if the body needs it. Now I’m in the later stages of my career, I try to listen to my body more closely than I used to.”
Alongside his intensive training routine, Creed competes throughout the year in a variety of events and tournaments which calculates his world ranking.
“Once you’re a full paid-up member of the PSA World tour, you are given an online portal to enter events. Events usually close 4 weeks before they start, and then you're locked into playing your chosen event.”
“You are able to qualify for certain events based on your ranking. When you begin your professional career, you try to progress through the levels by winning smaller events, gaining vital ranking points in an attempt to climb up the professional rankings, and play the bigger events.”
With those events, titles and individual awards come along with it.
Creed explained: “Each winner of any professional squash tournament comes with its own individual trophy. We have smaller scale tournaments to compete and win at within the 'PSA Challenger Tour’ and the larger tournaments and awards are available for grabs within the 'PSA World Tour’.”
“The most prestigious events that most squash players would love to win and take home the trophy would be the British Open, Tournament of Champions and the World Open.”
Having won as much as he has done in his 14 years as a professional, Creed is more than happy with how his career has turned out, however he will not turn down an invitation for more success. Expanding further, Creed said: “I feel I’ve achieved everything I initially set out to and will leave my career as a squash professional content”
“Unfortunately, or fortunately most athletes continually have that desire for more. This is both a quality that drives successful sports people to push harder and drive them to try towards that goal, but also prevents them from letting go”
“My main goal is the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham 2022, and getting my ranking, and results in place to allow me to be selected. My current form is my only focus moving forwards, and I’m doing everything possible to be physically in the best shape for the coming year”
“If I can pick up a few good wins along the way, and a tournament win, then even better.”
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