Serving Up: Simon Rösner on Squash, Mental Toughness, and Leaving a Legacy
🎙️ Welcome to Serving Up, the Racket Sports podcast hosted by Shaun Sullivan and proudly sponsored by OLIVER. Serving Up gives you rare, behind-the-scenes access to the sport’s top players, coaches, and personalities. In this episode, he dives into the journey, mindset, and legacy of Simon Rösner, Germany’s most accomplished squash player.
Shaun Sullivan: So, we finally made it.
Simon Rösner: Yeah. Well, it’s been busy—managing my club back home and also coaching the national men’s team. Right now, I’m in a hotel room in Paderborn playing Bundesliga for my team.
Shaun: You’re still active then?
Simon: Yes, I’ll be playing for Venoidov in the Austrian League, but not for Paderborn in the European Club Championships—they didn’t qualify this year.
Shaun: Got it. Thanks for making the time, Simon. You’ve got a young family too, right?
Simon: Yes, they’re back home. I’m in a hotel room now, heading to Hamburg tomorrow morning for the next Bundesliga match.
Early Days and First Rivalries
Shaun: How did you get started with squash?
Simon: I started hitting balls with my dad and older brother. Initially, I didn’t enjoy it. I just went along with them for a couple of years, smiling and not really knowing what I was doing. But eventually, I started finding my way into the sport.
Shaun: And your older brother?
Simon: He was always the better player. I remember the first time I beat him—he was very sick that day—but it felt like a milestone. That moment sparked my motivation to take squash seriously.
Shaun: Outside your brother, what was the biggest challenge as a junior?
Simon: There were opponents I couldn’t beat for a long time, like Davide Biankeep and LJ. The first time I beat them, it was a turning point—I never lost to them again. Psychology is huge in elite sports; that first win builds confidence you can carry forward.
Junior to Senior Transition
Shaun: What was hardest about moving from junior to senior squash?
Simon: Personally, I was hardworking, so it wasn’t overwhelming. But many juniors struggle to make that transition, especially in Germany. You have talented players, but the next step is tough.
Shaun: Did you have a coach early on that made a big difference?
Simon: Yes, a Pakistani coach trained me daily for two hours and even hosted me in Pakistan for six weeks during summer holidays. That level of dedication at age 11–12 showed everyone—my parents, my coach—that I was serious about becoming the best.
Hard Work and Competition
Shaun: Do you think today’s juniors are missing that intensity?
Simon: Partly. Society now emphasizes comfort and work-life balance, which is good, but in sport, you need to step out of your comfort zone. To become elite, you have to work hard, take risks, and be dedicated—whether in Germany, France, or anywhere else.
Shaun: How important is competition?
Simon: Critical. For example, during a camp in Egypt, our players saw hundreds of high-level athletes practicing together. That competition pushes you to improve, whereas fewer competitors make it harder to reach the top.
German Championships and PSA Career
Shaun: Out of your 11 German national titles, which is the sweetest?
Simon: The first one. I beat the guy who brought me to Paderborn, Stefan Life. That was special because it represented my progression and growth, not just a medal. The PSA tour was always my main focus.
Shaun: Do you think focusing on performance rather than results helped you climb the rankings faster?
Simon: Absolutely. Success comes from the process, not the result. Focusing on improvement, preparation, and discipline will naturally lead to better outcomes.
Memorable Matches
Shaun: Tell me about your TOC win in New York.
Simon: That tournament was special. My dad promised the promoter years earlier: “We’ll be back when Simon wins.” When I finally won, playing in Grand Central Station, it was unforgettable. There’s something magical about performing in iconic venues.
Legacy and Values
Shaun: Looking ahead, what legacy do you want to leave in squash?
Simon: I hope to be remembered as a fair, honest, and humble player. Playing in the right spirit matters as much as winning. More than anything, I want to be remembered as a good person.
Simon Rösner’s journey shows the importance of dedication, mental toughness, and loving the process. From his early struggles against his brother to winning international titles and coaching the next generation, Simon embodies the spirit of squash excellence.
🌟 Explore more behind-the-scenes stories in the Serving Up podcast series, hosted by Shaun Sullivan: Serving Up Podcast – OLIVER Squash