Since turning professional two years ago, Alan Clyne has quietly made progress up the world squash rankings. Over the next few months he aims to make more of a noise about his role as Scotland’s No.1 squash player.

The 23-year-old from the Black Isle won a Professional Squash Association tournament in Ireland in April and, last month, he captured a title in Kent and reached the semi-finals of the La Clotat International in France.

It is all part of the perfect preparation for his Commonwealth Games debut in New Delhi in October.

Currently ranked No.62 in the world, Clyne hopes to make an impact in the singles event at the Games and he has his eye on a medal in the doubles. He will partner Harry Leitch in the men’s and Frania Gillen-Buchert in the mixed event. 

“The Games are going to be massive,” said the Physical Education graduate. “We have been to India for a Test match this year and we managed to win it which was great for the confidence. We also played in a doubles invitation event in Manchester and we’re all hoping to do really well at the Games.”

Apart from a podium appearance in Delhi, Clyne’s other goal is to break into the world’s top 50 by the end of the year. “I’ve had a good run this season and a big bonus was qualifying for the Tournament of Champions in New York,” he said. “Now it’s a case of keeping going upwards and making it into the top 50 by next year is a good target.”

According to Scottish coach Roger Flynn, it could be even better. “Alan has improved a lot in recent months and has become much stronger, mentally and physically,” said the Australian. “He had a great win over Simon Rosner at the European Championships.

“Simon is the world No.33 and it was Alan’s best win to date. I think he could make the top 40 very soon and, at the Commonwealth Games, we have really set our sights on medals in the doubles.

“Alan and Harry will be the top pair in the men’s doubles, but I’m also hoping that Chris Small and Lyall Paterson are selected. In the women’s events, we have Frania and Lisa Aitken as our top hopes. They beat the top Indian pair at the Test match which, again, underlined their great potential.”

Clyne, who began his career at the local club in Inverness, is now base in Edinburgh and works out regularly at the Scottish National Squash centre at Heriot-Watt where Flynn is the National Head Coach and Stuart Crawford, the recently retired former Scottish Champion, has recently taken up a post as Scotland’s Assistant Coach.

While Clyne reflects that it was a bit of a gamble to pursue a career in sport, he certainly has no regrets. In fact, he reckons he is better placed than many of his former student mates at Edinburgh University.

With P.E. teaching jobs few and far between, he admitted: “At the moment, I think I’m more secure playing squash.”

And if any of his fellow graduates are envious, then they will be even greener if Clyne makes it into the limelight by winning a medal for Scotland in Delhi.

EB
© Copyright In The Winning Zone, MMX, All Rights Reserved