SQUASH ENJOYS TEQUILA SUNRISE IN MEXICO WITH SAM IN RED HOT FORM

SQUASH ENJOYS
TEQUILA SUNRISE
IN MEXICO WITH
SAM IN RED
HOT FORM ...

Think of Mexico and you conjure up visions of Tequila, red hot chilly peppers, sombreros and gangs of bandits in John Wayne movies. You don't necessarily think of Mexico and squash in the same sentence.

But think again. Thanks to the efforts of a small band of enthusiasts, squash is making great strides in Mexico.

Now they have a champion to cheer. Samantha Teran is the first WISPA Tour event winner from Mexico, and Alan Thatcher tracked her down for the Grapevine last week while she was on the way to compete in the Greenwich Open.

1: Congratulations on gaining a first WISPA Tour title for Mexico! You must be very proud?
A: Yes, indeed, but I think it is only the beginning, I think I am only setting an example for other Mexicans to step up to the plate.

2: How long have you been playing squash?
A: Only for 6 years, I started when I was 14 years old, I was involved in other sports before then.

3: Who first introduced you to the game?
A: My father, he was a great player in hardball.

4: Which club do you play at, and what is it like?
A: I usually play at Squash Inn and Squash Dynamic. They are nothing close to the kind of clubs that I have been to around the world, but the level of game is the best in Mexico.

5: How big is squash in Mexico?
A: There is a lot of people who enjoy playing every now and then without a great level of game, and there is only a few committed to the competitive level, and we are very good at it.

6: Do you get much media coverage, in the newspapers or on television?
A: Not as much as I would want, but certainly enough to bring the attention of the general public to our sport, especially after all the recent achievements in my career.

7: Who are your sponsors?
A: My main sponsor is Wilson, I get my rackets and clothes from them. Also my family's restaurant "El Tequilazo" in Mexico City, that I fully recommend, and that is the greatest support one can have.

8: Who is your coach, and how long have you been with him?
A: My father has been my trainer since he was the one who got me in and now is as proud of me as I am of him, I could not have a better trainer and father. I also have a physical trainer who I am very grateful to. He is Jose Ramirez, and I have been working with him for two years now.

9: Are you full-time professional?
A: Yes, I believe that right now is the time to dedicate my life to it, I am really committed to the sport and my career.

10: What are your career goals?
A: First I wanted to be the best in my country, now I want to be the best in my continent and eventually be in the top ten in the world, it is something I know I can achieve if I keep on doing the right thing.

11: Which players do you most admire, and why?
A: I admire all of those who have dedicated their lives to our sport, I now know it is not an easy life, and you have to be very strong emotionally to be able to handle the pressure and keep your game at it's best.

12: How would you best describe your own style of play?
A: I believe I am quite aggressive and maybe stubborn, it is not easy for me to give up.

13: How many hours a week do you spend training?
A: I can say all day long, and sometimes part of the night, I even dream I am in the court. I start my day jogging, I then train for 3 hours and later I spend at least 1 hour working out.

14: What are your favourite training routines?
A: I enjoy everything I do, I am very competitive and I like to play with the juniors that bring my game up.

15: And your LEAST favourite ones?
A: I don't have any.

Samantha, thank you. We look forward to seeing you compete in Europe some day soon.