Victor Crouin reflects on his breakthrough season on the PSA World Tour & college transition
July 28 2023
Victor Crouin, the rising French squash talent, has enjoyed a remarkable 2022/23 season on the PSA World Tour. His dedication and consistent performances have seen him play the most events among the top 50 players worldwide. Remarkably, he featured in six PSA World Tour finals, securing three titles. Notably, this sucessful season propelled him into the World's top 10 for the first time in his career.
In an exclusive interview with the Professional Squash Association (PSA), Victor Crouin discusses his remarkable journey.
The Frenchman expressed his elation, stating: "It's been an incredible season for sure. I never expected to climb so high in the rankings by the season's end. Initially, my goal was to break into the world's top 12, but reaching the top 10 was beyond my wildest dreams."
After graduating from Harvard University, Victor Crouin chose to focus on squash full time. He reflected on the transition, acknowledging the difference it brought to his daily routine. "Waking up and solely concentrating on squash was a significant change. Previously, I balanced practice sessions with academic commitments, which helped me stay grounded during challenging times. Even though I'm a full-time professional player now, I still make time for my academic interests, staying updated on economics and politics, which I'm passionate about."
Describing his season overall, Crouin emphasised the highs and lows he experienced, from playing on the biggest stages of the PSA World Tour to facing injuries and tough losses. He highlighted his triumph at the French Open, a tournament he won against the odds, battling the pressure of playing in front of his home crowd.
One of the standout moments of his season was his victory over Marwan ElShorbagy in the final of the French Open. Crouin spoke emotionally about the match, crediting the support of the crowd for keeping him motivated. He cherished the memory of that victory and planned to watch the match again during the summer to boost his confidence for the upcoming season.
However, Crouin acknowledged the mounting pressure after his successful start, with higher expectations from himself and others. Nevertheless, he maintained consistency and broke barriers by making it to the quarter-finals and semi-finals of several events.
Crouin also discussed the emergence of another U.S. college graduate, Aly Abou Eleinen, and their competitive but respectful encounters on the PSA World Tour.
Reflecting on his favorite phase of the season, Crouin pointed to the period from the European Individual Squash Championhsips to the Egyptian Squash Open when he played some of the best squash of his career. He highlighted the importance of tactical play during crucial points in matches against top players, where he managed to rise to the occasion and secure victories.
Finally, Crouin expressed pride in his performance at the Squash on Fire Open, where he battled fatigue and tough opponents to claim the title. He emphasised the significance of persevering in challenging situations and acknowledged that these performances were equally vital for his growth as a player.
Victor Crouin's breakthrough season has firmly established him as a force to be reckoned with on the PSA World Tour. His dedication, passion for academics, and exceptional squash skills make him a promising talent to watch out for in the seasons to come.
For full interview, visit: psaworldtour.com
In an exclusive interview with the Professional Squash Association (PSA), Victor Crouin discusses his remarkable journey.
The Frenchman expressed his elation, stating: "It's been an incredible season for sure. I never expected to climb so high in the rankings by the season's end. Initially, my goal was to break into the world's top 12, but reaching the top 10 was beyond my wildest dreams."
After graduating from Harvard University, Victor Crouin chose to focus on squash full time. He reflected on the transition, acknowledging the difference it brought to his daily routine. "Waking up and solely concentrating on squash was a significant change. Previously, I balanced practice sessions with academic commitments, which helped me stay grounded during challenging times. Even though I'm a full-time professional player now, I still make time for my academic interests, staying updated on economics and politics, which I'm passionate about."
Describing his season overall, Crouin emphasised the highs and lows he experienced, from playing on the biggest stages of the PSA World Tour to facing injuries and tough losses. He highlighted his triumph at the French Open, a tournament he won against the odds, battling the pressure of playing in front of his home crowd.
One of the standout moments of his season was his victory over Marwan ElShorbagy in the final of the French Open. Crouin spoke emotionally about the match, crediting the support of the crowd for keeping him motivated. He cherished the memory of that victory and planned to watch the match again during the summer to boost his confidence for the upcoming season.
However, Crouin acknowledged the mounting pressure after his successful start, with higher expectations from himself and others. Nevertheless, he maintained consistency and broke barriers by making it to the quarter-finals and semi-finals of several events.
Crouin also discussed the emergence of another U.S. college graduate, Aly Abou Eleinen, and their competitive but respectful encounters on the PSA World Tour.
Reflecting on his favorite phase of the season, Crouin pointed to the period from the European Individual Squash Championhsips to the Egyptian Squash Open when he played some of the best squash of his career. He highlighted the importance of tactical play during crucial points in matches against top players, where he managed to rise to the occasion and secure victories.
Finally, Crouin expressed pride in his performance at the Squash on Fire Open, where he battled fatigue and tough opponents to claim the title. He emphasised the significance of persevering in challenging situations and acknowledged that these performances were equally vital for his growth as a player.
Victor Crouin's breakthrough season has firmly established him as a force to be reckoned with on the PSA World Tour. His dedication, passion for academics, and exceptional squash skills make him a promising talent to watch out for in the seasons to come.
For full interview, visit: psaworldtour.com