Injury break comes at worst possible time for Inverness squash star Greg Lobban
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AS bad breaks go, they do not come much harsher.
Greg Lobban was two points from winning the Chicago Open, the biggest tournament of his career.
Then his hamstring went.
The fact he managed to complete the match, scoring a further 11 points over two games is an achievement in itself.
But trying to win the final on one leg, against an opponent in Campbell Grayson who sensed an unlikely comeback, was an obstacle too far.
“I was two games up and two points from victory, in what would have been my biggest title,” said Lobban, who is experiencing his first major injury. “I went for a forehand drop in the front right corner and as my foot landed, I felt a tearing sensation in my right hamstring. I didn’t realise the extent of it at first – the adrenaline gets you through – but after my next shot I fell into the back wall because there was nothing to support me.
“It’s incredibly frustrating. It’s taken me out of my normal routine and while having a lot of free time at the moment sounds fun, it really isn’t.”
Lobban, from North Kessock, suffered a grade two tear and an MRI scan last Thursday was due to determine the extent of the damage.
But it forced him to withdraw from the World Championships, the biggest event in the squash calendar, as well as tournaments in India and Pakistan. Four to six weeks is the initial estimate but if there is issues with his hamstring tendon, it could well be longer. He is quite prepared for his world ranking to dip.
The injury threatens to take the gloss off what has been arguably the best year of his career. Lobban achieved a career-high world ranking of 36 in March, won European team bronze with Scotland in May and then alongside fellow Black Isler Alan Clyne, won the World Doubles Championships in Australia in August.
“That makes it more disappointing,” said Lobban. “I was starting to click with our new coach and to have a setback now, it’s very frustrating.
“But it’s part and parcel of being a full-time athlete. You’re at risk of hurting your body and you need to do your best to prevent these things. I’m disciplined in that but I’m going to appreciate being 100 per cent fit a lot more.”
The news has not all been bad for the former Fortrose Academy pupil. At the Scottish Squash awards earlier this month, Lobban was presented with the male player of the year award, as well as being part of the Scotland men’s side that won team of the year.
Individual honours, while always pleasing to receive, are not something he greatly considers. His greatest triumphs have come while wearing the blue of Scotland and he is grateful for the backing he is given.
“It’s nice to be recognised but all my achievements this year have come as part of a team,” said the 24-year-old. “Both of my medals have come as part of the Scottish team. It’s strange getting individual awards and I’m not sure I can take credit for them.”
Honours also went to Lobban’s home club Inverness Tennis and Squash Club, for the club of the year, and an emerging talent from the Highlands, Alasdair Prott, was named young player of the year.
There is a sense of pride in Lobban that even though he is based in Edinburgh – Scottish Squash’s headquarters is at Heriot-Watt University – he delights in seeing his home-town recognised on a national scale.
“The club was rewarded and rightly so. It’s produced myself and Alan (Clyne), who have won a World Championships, and in Al Prott have got probably the most promising player in the country. They’re doing something right if they’re getting results like that,” said Lobban.
“I have only been on court with Al once and when I’m at home for a longer time, I’ll hopefully get to hit with him a bit more. It’s nice to see younger players wanting to get better and he looks like he’s improving every time he plays.”
Squash is not the only sport Lobban enjoys. He played in Caley Thistle’s youth teams as a teenager, while also picking up hockey and tennis.
As a youngster playing on the Bishops Road tennis courts, Lobban only turned to squash as it was freezing outside and he wanted to play somewhere warm.
Over the last year he has finished runner-up in the Greenwich Invitiational and the Scottish Nationals, where he lost in the final in straight games to Clyne.
Earlier this month he met First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at the opening of Oriam, Scotland’s new specialist sports performance centre at the heart of Heriot-Watt’s campus. Sturgeon tweeted her congratulations to Lobban and Clyne for their success at the World Doubles Championship.
He afforded himself some time back in Inverness last week, given his injury lay-off, but is unsure yet of his plans for Christmas. His girlfriend, Australian squash player Donna Urquhart, celebrates her birthday a week before Christmas and some of the festive period may well be spent Down Under.
In the meantime, borrowing some of the Australians’ laid-back demeanour is proving no bad thing.
“I’ve left my name in for a couple of tournaments in England at the end of November and start of December,” added Lobban. “Just in case I can make it.
“I’ll be fit when I’m ready. If that takes a few months then so be it.”
