Pro Squash Player Nathan Lake Interview
Nathan Lake playing in Florida.
By Marnie Kunz
We sat down with pro squash player Nathan Lake for an inside look at his training and career. Nathan is an Englishman who has played squash since he was 9 years old. Nathan, a very nice and humble pro athlete, is a longtime customer at NYC Racquet Sports. He travels around the world playing squash professionally. His inspiring career in squash comes at an exhilarating time for the squash world, as squash has just been added to the Olympic Games.
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Squash Player Nathan Lake In His Own Words
Pro squash player Nathan Lake sits down for an interview. Here are his insights on his training, traveling, and love of squash:
Q: How long have you been playing squash?
A: I started playing at 9 years of age. My school had access to some courts a couple of times a week, and some friends invited me along. Pretty soon, I’d caught the bug and never looked back. I feel very lucky to have found something I love so much.
Q: When did you start playing professionally?
A: I turned professional at 18 years of age, which is 13 years ago. I have so many memories and lessons collected in those years. My first event was in London, Ontario, Canada. I got a last-minute spot the week of the event and decided to take it. I lost in Round 1 that year but have been back to the same event multiple times and stayed with the same family. In 2022, I managed to win the event, which was especially nice knowing this was where it started for me as a Pro.
Q: What is one of the biggest challenges in your squash career?
A: The biggest challenges I’ve faced have been injuries, which are sadly a risk of the job. They can be extremely mentally challenging to deal with. The feeling of having to sit still while your competitors are hard at work is not easy.
Q: What is one of your most significant victories?
A: Last year, in round one of the Tournament of Champions, I scored one of my biggest wins against Frenchman Baptiste Masotti, then ranked #17 in the world. The prize was a chance to play on the famous court in Grand Central.
Q: How much do you travel for tournaments?
A: Tournaments are global, and I play 15 to 20 events a year. Squash is in every corner of the globe, and I would say I spend 3 to 4 months a year on the road.
Q: How do you stay healthy on the road?
A: I’ve learned what has worked for me over the years. My physical trainer (Margot Wells) is invaluable in helping me prepare for events and keep me fit and healthy.
Q: Have you played the Tournament of Champions at Grand Central Terminal? If so, how many times?
A: I’ve had the pleasure of playing there three times in my career, but I am still searching for my first win. Hopefully, this is the year!
Q: Will you be playing at the upcoming Tournament of Champions?
A: I will. My tournament kicks off at 5:45 pm on January 17 at The River Club of New York.
Q: What are you looking forward to most in 2024?
A: Continuing to work on improving my squash and getting that ranking as high as possible.
Q: Where can people follow your training and journey?
A: You can follow me on Instagram (@squashnathan), and sign up for my newsletter at this link.
J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions
The J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions at Grand Central Terminal in NYC.
See pro squash player Nathan live and in action at the upcoming J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions at Grand Central Terminal in New York City. You can catch Nathan playing at the upcoming J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions. He will begin playing at the tournament at 5:45 pm on January 17 at The River Club of New York.
The squash tournament will showcase the best squash players in the world at the unique glass courts in New York’s Grand Central Terminal. The event runs from January 17 to January 25, 2024.
Grand Central Racquet Stringers and its sister location, NYC Racquet Sports, have been the official racquet stringers for the Tournament of Champions since 1995 when the tournament relocated to Grand Central Terminal.
The 2024 J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions will be set up around an all-glass show court in Grand Central’s Vanderbilt Hall, so anyone passing through Grand Central can have a look at the action. There are also tickets available for seating at the event, starting at $15 for a ticket.
Find out more about the tournament and get tickets here. You can also learn more about the history of the tournament on our blog.
Squash at the Olympics
Spectators from around the world will be able to witness the fast-paced sport of squash in action at the Olympics. Squash is poised to take the world by storm as it has been added to the Olympic Games. Squash is set to debut at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, in 2028.
The International Olympic Committee voted on October 16, 2023, to add squash to the Olympic program, along with four other sports: baseball/softball, cricket, flag football, and lacrosse.
Squash Racquets and Services
If you’re a squash player or are interested in getting started in the sport of squash, we are happy to offer premium squash gear and knowledgeable insights at NYC Racquet Sports. Whether you need a new squash racquet or are seeking to have your racquet restrung, we can help. Our knowledgeable staff and excellent deals on high-quality squash gear will help you step up your game.
Visit our flagship NYC Racquet Sports location at 157A West 35th Street in Herald Square, New York, NY, for all your squash needs.
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Marnie Kunz is a writer, fitness trainer, and founder of Runstreet based in Brooklyn, NY.
