Cheam Squared Classic: Creed ‘Loving Being Back’ On Court

The Cheam Squash Squared Classic takes place this weekend in England, with 16 players in action at Cheam Squash Club from Saturday 14 to Sunday 15 August.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Challenger 3 level turnament is being run with domestic restrictions in place, meaning only this currently based in the United Kingdom have been allowed to play. Despite this, two Africans will be in action, in South Africa’s Gareth Naidoo and Zimbabwean Tayne Turnock.

The Malik brothers, Curtis and Perry, are among the seeds, along with Tom Walsh, Stuart MacGregor, Ben Smith, Jordan Warne and Simon Herbert.

The top seed for the tournament will be Welshman Peter Creed, and we spoke to the World No.144 prior to the tournament getting underway.

Creed, who has been as high as the top 50 in the World Rankings previously, admitted that he is loving being back on court at the moment, and that he is not putting any extra pressure on himself this week.

“I’m very excited to be back playing and getting some more court time moving forwards. Training has been more consistently recently, and can’t wait to get back to some normality on tour,” he admitted.

“There is zero pressure at the moment, and more excitement from being able to compete. I’m actually loving being back on court, so very much looking forward to the event this weekend.

“Obviously as the top seed you have expectations to come and win the event, but I feel that’s most likely the same for the majority in the draw. Otherwise it’s pretty pointless showing up.”

The Welshman will be aiming to claim his first victory on Tour since 2017, when he won the Saskatoon International November Boast, but he believes that it should only be a matter of time before he, and many others lower down the rankings, get that winning feeling and that momentum back.

“To be honest it’s all about momentum. Winning is a habit, and for the majority of people outside the top 70, we haven’t had the chance to get the habit back,” he explained.

“Fingers crossed with the pandemic, that the majority of players on the tour can get back into events and find their own rhythm and momentum.”

Along with his own individual ambitions, Creed was a key part of the Welsh side that finished 3rd at the 2019 WSF Men’s World Team Championships in Washington, D.C., and he is hoping to be a part of their quartet in Malaysia this December.

“The World Team Champs was a great occasion for Team Wales last time around, and due to Covid it feels like it’s come around pretty quickly.” Creed said.

“Although nothing seems certain at the moment, but hopefully Malaysia can host the event this December and I’ll do everything possible to be a part of the team again.”

The event takes place from Saturday 14 to Sunday 15 August at Cheam Squash Club, where Peter Creed is the top seed for the tournament. Follow the PSA Challenger Tour on Twitter and Facebook for daily updates from the event.

First Round Draw: Cheam Squash Squared Classic
[1] Peter Creed (WAL) v Phil Nightingale (ENG)
Josh Attwell (ENG) v [5] Ben Smith (ENG)
[8]Simon Herbert (ENG) v David Haley (WAL)
Tayne Turnock (ZIM) v [3] Tom Walsh (ENG)
[4] Stuart MacGregor (ENG) v [WC] Jack Mitterer (ENG)
Nick Ratnarajah (ENG) v [6] Perry Malik (ENG)
[7] Jordan Warne (ENG) v Aaron Allpress (ENG)
Gareth Naidoo (RSA) v [2] Curtis Malik (ENG)