Alasdair Prott aims to maintain good form after lockdown
Inverness squash player Alasdair Prott is hoping to pick up where he left off when lockdown is eventually lifted and squash players are allowed back on court.
The 18-year-old had been in great form before sport across the globe came to a halt in March.
He won the Scottish Under-23 title in January before securing a ninth Scottish Junior national crown soon after.
An impressive third place finish at the German Junior Open in early March was followed up a week later by further title joy at the Austrian Junior Open.
The first year Heriot-Watt University student said: “I had been getting better results of late and was making good progress so it was frustrating when we had to go into lockdown.
“My form was good and I guess I was fortunate to fit in the two European events before everything shut down.
“The German Junior Open was a pleasing tournament for me against a strong field and when I went over to Austria my goal was to win the event which I managed to do.
“With University suspended I’ve since been back home in Inverness.”
He continued: “It’s obviously pretty mentally challenging for any athlete to be kept away from their sport.
“But with the support network that Scottish Squash and sportscotland offered me, they have been able to keep me focused on training and I have a good plan in place.
“I’ve been working closely with my coach Kylie Lindsay as well as Liam Mitchell (S&C) and Marek Anestik (physiologist) from sportscotland.
“All of us collaborating together ensures I get the best out my training sessions.
“I’m fortunate my parents have a good sized garden and we have some gym equipment in the garage. So when things start off again I’m hoping to continue the progress I was making.”
Alasdair moved to Edinburgh last year to study Biological Sciences and Human Health at Heriot-Watt and to be closer to Scottish Squash’s training HQ at Oriam, which is on campus.
As he transitions into the senior game he’s now able to training regularly with Scotland’s top professionals and is reaping the rewards.
“Having regular access to quality training in Edinburgh has been great,” he said.
“I worked with Kylie Lindsay briefly before in the Academy days and you can tell she was a top professional.
“Her insight into the technical aspects of squash are impressive and because she played at a high level she can really identify specific areas for me to work on and improve.
“My shot selection is now much better, I’m more disciplined on court and I’m sticking to game plans.
“This has enabled me to get better results.”
With uncertainty as to when squash will resume again, it appears Alasdair’s junior career is at an end with his focus now shifting to making an impression on the professional circuit.
He added: “I’m sitting at my highest world ranking of 359 just now and hopefully I can use that to play in some PSA Tour events and Closed Satellite tournaments.
“The aim is to make an impression in these events and continue climbing the rankings.”
View the Scottish Squash Lockdown toolkit here.
