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 Dom
calls it a day ...
July 2011: Elliot
Selby talks to Dominique Lloyd-Walter |
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 Has
it sunk in yet?
It's been two weeks since I made my decision to retire, but
yes it still feels very weird after playing professionally
for twelve years. At first it was hard to say the word
'retire' and read it!!!!
It was a long thought out decision though. I had been
deliberating for quite some time about whether to continue
playing the tour before deciding I'd come to the end of the
road.
What made you decide to retire now?
After having a six month lay off from the tour in 2010 (from
June to December) due to a foot injury, I got a taste for
what life might be like without squash and whilst I missed
playing, it was nice to experience a life without packing
your bags every few weeks to travel somewhere to train or
play.
I found I really enjoyed being at home with friends and
family. The injury happened just after I had bought a flat
and with a mortgage to pay, I knew I had to find a way to
pay the bills.
 I
qualified as a Personal Trainer in 2009 and so when I got
offered some work, I jumped at the chance. I found I really
enjoyed it and when I was able to start playing again in
January, I decided to combine the squash with Personal
Training.
Whilst I was enjoying playing again, I knew I wasn't as
focused as before.
The Personal Training was going well and I was really
enjoying it and the thought of playing tournaments was not
filling me with the same joy. This is when I started to
question things and I think turning 30 in June was the thing
that made me realise I am at an age where I have to do what
makes me happy.
I guess the injury (although a negative at the time) gave me
an insight into other aspects of life which triggered the
decision to move on from squash, and I am now hoping to add
to the Personal Training work I have already got. I really
enjoy it!”
 What
have been your greatest successes in Squash?
My greatest achievements in squash have been representing
England (24 times junior and 5 times senior). Getting my
caps as a senior means such a lot to me and I am so pleased
I managed to play for my country over the last couple of
years. I was part of the England team this year that won
European Gold which is fantastic.
I got to the semis of the nationals this year (2011) which
meant an awful lot as that was the furthest I had progressed
in the tournament. Beating my seeding to get there made it
even better.
I was European junior individual champion and team champion.
What are you going to miss most about the tour?
 I
will miss seeing my friends on the tour particularly the
English girls with whom I have shared so many special
moments with. Tania, Jen, Laura, Alison, Sarah, Lauren and Emma have
given me some great memories and I feel with the squash
girls you can always pick up where you left off even when
you have not had any contact for a while.
Of course there are lots of other players I have known for a
long time and I will miss ... I have had some amazing times
with players on tour.
I will also miss tournaments where you get treated like VIPs
for a week where the hotel, food, scenery, organisers are
all fantastic.
What are you not going to miss about being a
professional?
Most people know I have an unfortunate fear of flying. Ask
Jen how many laughs I have given her on flights due to me
becoming near hysterical. Unbelievable when you think of how
many flights I have been on! So I won't miss flying and I
won't miss the hours of travelling to get to a venue.
 What
is your best memory from the tour and favourite tournament?
Favourite tournament is probably Hong Kong. I love it there
and I have really good memories from Mick (Biggs - her
boyfriend) travelling to that tournament with me. Now I'm
not playing it is certainly a place I want to go back to
soon!
The tournaments in Qatar hold really good memories for me as
I always stayed with a friend (Maureen) along with Tania.
And how do you think people will describe you as a
squash player?
“I think people would describe me as a squash player as
'STEADY'! Who knows....I might be wrong!! A close second
would be 'the most attacking player out there' (wink,
wink)!!”
 And
Finally ?
I would like to say a huge thank you to my parents who have
supported me through the good times and the bad with my
career in squash. They have always been 100% behind me and
always believed in me. Without them, I could not have
achieved what I did.
I would also like to thank my boyfriend Mick, who has
encouraged me to work hard and believe in myself. He has
been so supportive for the last five years.
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Everyone
at WISPA and SquashSite would like to congratulate Dom on a
wonderful career, and we wish you the best of luck for your
future as a personal trainer and in everything else you do.
www.domlloydwalter.co.uk
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 Dommers..
Aka scooo!! I'm going miss your wierd and wonderful ways!!
We have had some great fun times together and I will always
remember the 'Girls' moment!!
It seems likes ages ago since the Middlesex days where we
first got to know each other. They were Good times! Then
training at Potters and you would panic everytime about
those dreaded courtsprints!! Least you won't have to do
those anymore!
Well done on all your squash achievements and good luck with
everything you do now! See you for a Wagas!
Love Al aka mooo! X x
Alison Waters |
 “I
first met Dom when she was 7 and I was 9 on the junior
circuit and we have been friends ever since. She was great
fun to be with on the tour and she always managed to make
people laugh! I will certainly miss not having her around
and I know the other girls will too.
There have been too many good times and great memories over
the years to write down but Dom knows what they are! I wish
her all the best for her new venture as a personal trainer,
I know she will, and has already started to do really well.
Happy retirement Dom and good luck!”
Tania Bailey |
 “Dom,
you'll be missed on tour, loved having the battles with you
over the years, from Home Internationals to Dutch league
finals, I always enjoyed playing you and your fairness and
grace with which you played would be a good lesson for any
upcoming English squash player.
I wish you the best in your next career, I 'm sure you'll
take to it like a duck to water and your humour will get you
far. I'll definitely miss the 'dom-isms' on tour, always
liked having conversations with you at the tournaments!
Take care and enjoy the next stage x”
Aisling Blake
 'Congratulations
on a great squash career. We've had some laughs over the
years and I was sad to hear about you retiring but I wish
you every success for the future...
Where ever that takes you. Good luck, love Laura.'
Laura Massaro |
 How
do I sum up the retirement of Dom Lloyd Walter in a few
words?
I haven't known Dom as long as most of the other English
girls but right from when I started on tour she made me feel
welcome and soon became a good friend. Tough on court, you
always knew you were in for a battle and I never saw her
giving less than 100%. It feels fitting that our last
tournament together was representing England and winning the
European Team Championships.
But it is off-court that I will remember her best. I can
safely say that nobody else on tour has ever made me laugh
as much or as often and I will miss the fun we had rooming
together and her completely unique take on life. I'm pleased
she has found another field which she is as passionate about
as squash though surely it takes a mad woman to enjoy
running around the parks of Weybridge at 5am!?
I know that I haven't seen the last of her so while this is
a sad day for me personally it is a sadder day for the whole
WISPA tour because with her retirement we have undoubtedly
lost one of our most genuine and likeable characters.”
Emma Beddoes |
 Congrats
on a great career Dom. You should be really proud of what
you've achieved and how hard you worked to get there.
I'm sure it must have been a difficult decision to retire
(believe me I know!!) but I've no doubt you'll do well in
whatever you endeavour.
More importantly though you'll be missed by the players who knew you
because you're just a lovely person and possibly one of the
funniest people I've ever met...without ever meaning to be!!
Good luck Dom.
Lots of love
Vanessa xx
Vanessa Atkinson |
 Dom. .... I
have been fortunate enough to have shared lots of years on
the circuit with you. Many happy moments, a few teary ones
after we lost matches....but overall my time with you has
been nothing but a joy.
I truly hope we will continue to stay in touch irrespective
of your career change. There are far too many moments to
list here that bring a smile to my face and a warmth to my
heart. Our years at Cloisters Wood, then there's random
coincidences with boyfriends and presents... :-) so many
many more....
I will miss you on the circuit and wish you every success in
your future endeavours. I have no doubt you will be truly
successful. You deserve the best there is. You are so kind
hearted and genuine and life on the circuit would NOT have
been the same without you!!
Thank you for the happy memories, let's continue to make
some more! All the best.
Lauren xx
Lauren Briggs |
I have known Dom for past
couple of years since moving to Guildford. Over the last 12
months I have worked closely with her and really got to know
her as an athlete an as a person. From afar she always
seemed dedicated and a model professional. Since working
with her she has proved to be this but also much more.
She is honest, gracious, kind, thoughtful, intelligent and
humorous. All words that you would struggle to put in a
sentence to describe successful sports people from other
more high profile sports. It has been a pleasure to work
with Dom as she always gives her all and is so keen to
improve herself which in turn kept me on my ties and I will
always be grateful to her as I have also learnt a lot from
her.
Finally I wish her all the best in her new career. With her
personality and dedication I know she will be a success. She
has been and will continue to be a fantastic role model to
future squash players
Graeme Williams (coach) |
 I
have known Dom for around 15 years now and the phrase that
springs to mind as I look back over the years is 'never a
dull moment!'.
Since our days as England juniors through to recent times as
senior internationals, Dom has always been a great friend, a
true professional and a source of constant entertainment!
Without a shadow of a doubt Dom will be greatly missed on
the WISPA tour, there really is nobody like her. Many of my
fondest memories so far involve Dom and that is of no
coincidence...she brought so many laughs and moments to
tournaments in a way I'm not sure anybody else could.
As a player Dom has always been a completely dedicated
professional and given her all to her sport, resulting in a
hugely successful career and one that she should be
extremely proud of.
Dommers, I know the decision to retire was not taken lightly
as much as your love for the game but I have no doubt that
by using the same qualities you put into your squash career,
your professional training career will continue to blossom
into another successful passage of your life.
It's a sad time in some ways, but massively exciting in
others.
Lots of love, Jenners
Jenny Duncalf |
I
couldn't believe it when I heard you had decided to retire
from squash, I have always admired your dedication,
determination and hard working approach to your profession&
I really thought you might play forever!
As such a popular player on the tour, you are going to be
sorely missed.
It was very special to be able to win the European teams
with you this year& I wish you every success for your future
challenges.
With love& best wishes,
Sarah Kippax x |
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After
12 years on the International Circuit, Dominique Lloyd-Water
has announced her retirement from the WISPA World Tour. 
