MEET A PRO - 1

Going stir crazy yet? No doubt this current situation we are forced to endure will test our sanity. As someone told me the other day, we all dream about the time we get to retire, and now we are getting a little taste of that reality. Careful what you wish for, right? The worst thing is not knowing how long we have to live this way, so to help you take your minds of this madness - even if it’s just for a few minutes - I have reached out to a current squash pro many of you have met and admire and have pleaded that we bring this person back to the DAC. Enjoy this little interview just so you can appreciate her even more…

MEET… NIKKI TODD

The Squash Joint (TSJ): Hi Nikki! Welcome back to the DAC… even if t’s just through this blog! We certainly hope you and your family are surviving this zombie apocalypse and staying healthy. Tell us what you are doing to keep yourself occupied, avoiding going loopy, and how you are keeping yourself in shape?

Nikki Todd (NT): I'm not sure I am avoiding going loopy, but trying to stay in a routine as best I can. Coffee first, always! And then I do some mobility, a morning circuit and then an early evening cardio session outside.  I love to run so I am trying to utilize this time to do some long runs as well.

TSJ: Our members loved having you at the DAC last December for the doubles clinics - you obviously know your stuff. Unbeknownst to most of our members, you recently achieved the #1 world ranking on the women’s doubles tour - unbelievable achievement! What would be the 3 main things that you would recommend for any doubles player to master to improve their game?

NT: I would like to think I know what I am doing out there! My top 3 tips would be: Use lots of angles, learn how to clear to the side wall, and pick a good partner :)

TSJ: Who is your main doubles partner on the pro circuit? Do you prefer right of left wall? Do you prefer playing doubles to singles? 

NT: I don't actually have a main partner currently but I have played with both of the Sobhy sisters the most. (tip #3, pick a good partner). I definitely prefer right wall and if you ask any of the people I have played with they would tell you I should stay over there.  I still love singles and it is my priority but it doesn't even compare to the social side of doubles which is a major draw for me.  Who doesn't love a cold beer after a match?

TSJ: You are in the car in a traffic jam. The radio is blasting through your speakers. What song are you singing along with at the top of your lungs? Which song or artist makes you change the station? Are the people in the cars next to you looking at you like you have 3 heads?

NT: I would definitely be singing a country song. Probably, It's a great day to be Alive by Travis Tritt.  I don't know that any particular artist would make me change the station, but I prefer upbeat music, so most slow or sad songs would have me looking for a different song.  I would like to think people would enjoy me singing my lungs out but I wouldn't say I have the voice of an angel so I think yes the people in the cars next to me would look at me like I have 3 heads and probably roll their windows up.

TSJ: You were born in Regina, Saskatchewan. Tough to get more remote. How did you get into squash, and who was the player you most admired growing up?

NT: Yeah growing up in Regina, squash wasn't a very popular sport and I actually started pretty late.  I started when I was 14.  Most of the people I went to school with had no clue it even was a sport.  But the gym that my dad was a member at happened to have 4 courts and him and my uncle used to play a lot so he put my brother and I into the junior program.  I absolutely hated it and quit immediately.  My brother carried on playing and I stuck to soccer and gymnastics.  Once I saw that my brother was traveling all over Canada I decided maybe I should give it another try.  So my dad put me in nationals (we were going anyway for my brother) and I lost my first match 9-0,9-0,9-0.  Surprisingly I came off the court and said well I guess we have some work to do and have loved it ever since!

TSJ: In the pre-COVID-19 world, what would a typical Nikki Todd day look like. Work? Training? 

NT: Pre Covid-19 a typical Nikki Todd day would consist of a morning gym or fitness session, rest and eat, then an on court session followed by more food and rest.  And then most evenings I would have either a doubles or singles league match, a practice match, or coaching.

TSJ: What is your favorite shot in singles? What is your favorite shot in doubles?

NT: Some people might tell you it's the tin.  But my favorite shot in singles is a forehand drop.  And in doubles, forehand volley cross court nick (usually doesn't hit the nick)

TSJ: Who is the player on PSA you dislike playing the most? Why? 

NK: I don’t know that I actually dislike playing any particular player more than another but I do find it tough to play Catalina Pelaez! She is one of my best friends so to get into a competitive mindset against her is tough. And also there is never any rhythm, she shoots non stop off everything. So you are constantly getting worked in the front of the court. 

TSJ: All touring players have had nightmare trips to tournaments, albeit because of travel woes, or staying in horrible hotels for example, bad organization… etc  Tell us about your worst PSA tournament experience.  

NT: I don't think I have actually had any awful experiences.  But the worst was probably in Kiev, Ukraine when my taxi driver from the airport dropped me off in the wrong place (about an hour drive away).  No one spoke English and you can't hail taxis on the street there (you have to phone them).  So I was lost in Kiev wandering around with all my luggage for about 3 hours trying to figure out how to find a taxi and get to the correct location. But the best PSA experience is definitely the DAC event they held in November. :)

TSJ: Let’s be positive… tell us your favorite:

a) Movie - Country Strong

b) Naughty in-between snack - Milk Chocolate

c) City to visit - Cape Town, South Africa

d) Store to shop in - LuLuLemon

e) Subject / Teacher at school - Microbiology because my prof was very good looking! 

f) House chore - Does anyone have a favorite chore?  None.

g) Sport to watch that isn’t squash - NFL football

TSJ: After a tough match or training session, what is your go-to food / drink to help recovery? I imagine your go-to isn’t always available based on where you are, so what would be Plan B?

NT: After tough training sessions or matches my go to is chocolate protein powder with almond milk and ice! Tastes just like chocolate milk.  And it is usually available because I travel with my protein powder, but if I don't have the almond milk or ice I just mix it with water.

Unless it's doubles, then usually a nice cold beer :)

TSJ: For the last question, we try to delve into your inner soul a little a get you to expose yourself, a tiny peep into the Todd psyche… except for squash, what would be the one talent you wish you had that would make you famous and rich?

NT: I would like to be a top tennis player of golfer. But if we aren’t talking sports, then I would love to be able to sing and play guitar. Quarantine has me working on my guitar skills, stay tuned! Maybe next time I am at the DAC I will be there for a doubles clinic and a concert.

Thank you so much to Nikki for taking the time and helping us to get to know her a little better.  Nikki isn’t currently just the world’s best women’s doubles player, she has also been in the top 50 in the world in singles and is ranked 59 as of April 2020. We certainly hope we can welcome her back to the DAC in the near future, show us some new angles on the doubles court and give us a sample of those pipes!