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August 2011:
L&A in LA
Latasha and Amanda at the Los Angeles Athletic Club
Bob Hanscom talks to two
US Squash Champions ... |
 Travelling
through Los Angeles on their way back from a squash
tournament in Vancouver, B.C. - and on their way to New York
for another event, two of America's all-time most successful
female professional squash players, Latasha Khan and
Amanda Sobhy, currently the top two WISPA ranked
players in America, stopped by the club for a visit.
Bob Hanscom, the now retired Club Pro, had a chat ... |
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LATASHA
KHAN
SEVEN-TIME U.S. SQUASH CHAMPION
 Latasha,
now 38, is member of the famous Khan family from
Pakistan and is one of the women's pro tour most-senior
competitors, ruling the game in the US for many years.
She has competed many times during pro events hosted at the
club. She lives in Seattle, Washington, where she has been
coached by her dad Yusuf since the age of nine.
Latasha has represented the United States nine times - and
won the U.S. Championship title seven times, won six WISPA
titles and was the individual and team Gold Medalist at the
2003 Pan American Games. While not on court, Latasha enjoys
traveling, reading, photography, films and of course ...
fashion! |
AMANDA
SOBHY
2010 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPION
 Amanda,
age 18, lives in New York, and like Latasha, since the age
of 12, has been coached by her Egyptian father Khaled, a
former top player from his home country of Egypt.
Even at this young age, Amanda is having quite a successful
squash career, representing the United States as a junior
twice, and as a senior four times. She's won four WISPA
titles - and most impressively, the 2010 Women's World
Junior Open Championships.
She is the youngest person ever to win four WISPA titles -
and the first American to ever win a World title.
When not on court, as typical teenager, Amanda enjoys
hanging out with friends, going to the movies and music.
And ... let us not forget to mention, in addition to all her
squash accomplishments, Amanda has been accepted to Harvard
University, where she will be entering in about two weeks -
and is expected to represent the university on their Women's
Varsity Squash Team. We think she'll do pretty well there
too! |
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What
brings you to LA?
Latasha & Amanda:
We're just stopping over from a tournament in Vancouver
on our way to New York for the MOHAWK HAMPTON OPEN 2011
Southampton, NY - and a little rest and relaxation.
Besides, LA is fun!
(Bob: The girls did go to a concert, did some mountain-trail
running and played tennis while here as well).
Currently WISPA ranked #1 and #2 in America, both of you
have quite a bit in common, coming from squash families -
and each of your fathers being your primary coach. Do feel
that has been an advantage, versus being coached by an
independent club pro, etc?
 Latasha
& Amanda:
Good and bad! (laughing) With our fathers coaching we're
being supervised 24/7!
Latasha:
With “family” I know I didn't always want to listen to my
dad. With an independent coach, you need to respond
professionally and do what you're told.
Amanda:
Yes, but it worked, ha, ha!
At what age did you begin serious squash training – and
at what age would you recommend aspiring young squash
players begin formal training?
Latasha: I started at age nine, which is okay,
but also that it should be kept fun. I think age 14 or 15 is
a good time to begin serious training, but not only take
lessons, learn how to play points and rallies too.
Amanda: It's very important to learn good
technique early - right from the beginning.
Knowing what you know now, is there anything major you
would change regarding your early career training leading up
to your current professional squash career?
 Latasha
& Amanda:
It's important to mix up the training. Make it diverse with
more variety like cross training and other type activities.
This is good for a player's physical and mental well-being.
What would you tell an aspiring young 12 to 18 year-old
player to concentrate on regarding their squash training,
not necessarily with aspirations of becoming a professional,
but even if the goal was to become the best player they
could be and/or possibly make a college varsity team?
Latasha & Amanda:
Once you've reached the age of 14 or 15, you have to
dedicate yourself to the game, be willing to put in the work
and effort. In other words, have a strong commitment and
work-ethic.
I understand that you've done some training at world
champion Nicol David's training facility, Squash City in
Amsterdam with Liz Irving. Is the training different (more
intense, etc.) from what you're used to here in America?
Latasha & Amanda: Yes, Liz is very technical
and teaches you the game, emphasizing technique. “I learned
a lot from her,” said Amanda. Regarding Nicol, she hits a
lot with the hard-hitting male players and is very
independent in her training.
How many courts and overall players do they have there
(Holland) compared to what you have in your respective clubs
here in the U.S?
 Latasha
& Amanda:
Tons! There are 400,000 squash-players in Holland!
I understand they have a number of coaches there, i.e.
physical trainers, therapists, sports psychologist, etc.
While there, were you able to take advantage of these as
well?
Amanda:
Yes! In addition to Liz, they have fitness trainers,
massage therapists, sports psychologists, etc ... a “team”
of coaches, which is now necessary to compete at the highest
level. I have a team working with me in New York as well, in
addition to my dad.
In addition to Nicol, I'm aware there are a number of
girls training there full and part time. Where do they
reside while there? Once accepted into Liz's (limited I
know) program it must be an expensive proposition?
Latasha & Amanda:
They have their own apartment. Liz limits the number of
girls she works with to only four or five at a time. With
Nicol, the Malaysian Squash Association takes care of her
expenses. The other girls pay a monthly fee. |
 Latasha,
you started playing the WISPA tour occasionally in 1993 -
and steady since 1996 (15 years), but as for everyone, THAT
day will come when you'll make a decision to retire. When do
suppose that might be ?
Latasha:
It depends on how I feel. It could happen this year – or
maybe next. I won't be involved with coaching squash when I
retire – I'm not patient enough. I still want to play
recreational squash though. My college education is in
business, so I may pursue a career in project management.
What will your next and upcoming squash events be?
Latasha:
I'm playing in the MOHAWK HAMPTON OPEN 2011 Southampton, NY
... beginning tomorrow! [Latasha won her 7th title!]
Amanda: My next event is the $50,400 2011
CAROL WEYMULLER OPEN in Brooklyn, NY., beginning the middle
of September.
 Amanda,
I know you're on your way to Harvard University in about two
weeks. I would imagine you plan on competing for their new
coach Mike Way as part of their women's varsity team, right?
Are you excited about that? Do you plan to continue playing
WISPA events. And what will your course of study be at
Harvard - and what are your future professional career
plans?
Amanda:
Yes, I'm very excited about that. I've met and spent some
time with Mike Way already. He's quite technically oriented,
but also very accommodating. When you say you need something
or someone special to see and/or work with, he does all he
can to see that it happens.
Regarding my major and/or future plans outside of squash,
(right now) I have no idea! I will play some local WISPA
tournaments while in school and during vacations. I plan on
going on the professional tour full time after college.
What are your thoughts on how American squash is
developing, with so many international professionals
migrating here and coaching? Do you see America becoming a
force to be dealt with in the near or distant future? If so,
why? If not, what needs to happen in order to be competitive
on the world scene?
Latasha: There are lots more kids playing now,
which is good. The urban squash and education program is
also introducing many more kids to the game who wouldn't
ordinarily have known about or been able to play squash.
Amanda: Yes...the game and junior programs are
growing, mostly with the support of their parents believing
that playing squash will add to their chances of getting
into a good college or university.
How do you feel about the WSF's pursuit of getting squash
into the Olympic Games? And...do you think this is a
realistic and/or important goal for the game of squash in
general?
 Latasha:
Yes, because of the funding Olympic sports receive. However,
squash has to grow as a sport first. We have to help
ourselves by expanding on the game's numbers and facilities,
rather than depending on being part of the Olympics to help
us.
Amanda: I really don't know enough about it
... yet!
Lastly, is there anything you might want to say to the
current squash-playing (or non-playing) community regarding
our great game?
Latasha: There needs to be more access to
courts, not only through the private clubs and schools,
which is too restrictive, but courts being made available to
the general public ... 100 times more than exists now.
Amanda: Yes ... but the general public needs
to be made more aware of our game, who plays it, where it
can be learned and played. But I think we're moving in the
right direction. |
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