R2: Gina clinical against training partner Lucy

Gina : The match today was good. Lucy and I are really good friends and we train together a lot, so it’s hard playing her. I was very nervous today, but I’m happy with my performance and to get it done in three.

I wasn’t too happy with my performance in Sweden, but I do feel I’ve made really good progress over the summer with Rod [Rodney Martin]. Loads of things have changed in my game, and I feel it’s really starting to click.

My body has been the best it’s been since… I started on tour! I think I’m finally getting the balance right.

For years I was over-training and not really understanding what to do to improve my squash. I would just train hard, do loads of fitness, and not actually focus on my squash. Rod has really helped me understand how to improve my squash, and that’s stopped me from doing extra, silly running. So my body has been amazing, the season has been going really well, and my confidence is high.

There are just a few things that can go wrong in some matches, and I’m still not quite getting my mindset right. It’s like there are demons on my shoulder. But I feel things are on the right track for sure, and I know my level is there to get back to that top-five level and even compete with the top girls.

I need to stop doing a few old habits quickly when things aren’t going my way: when that moment arrives, I need to be able to choose the right path. It’s a neurological response. With all the stress, and since Rod hasn’t come into tournaments with me, I’m on my own in these situations, and that’s when I revert back to the old habits.

In general, I’m really happy, and I know the things we’ve been working on are coming through. I suppose it’s just the consistency: when something goes wrong and it’s not plain sailing, that’s when I need to be mentally stronger and say, “Come on.”

It’s also a question of habit. The more you do it, the more it becomes automatic. That’s what is so impressive about these top girls. There are reasons why you don’t feel so good one day, but they’re still able to not show it and completely lock in, whereas at the moment I’m still vulnerable if I’m not playing my best at the start. Those girls are just like, “No matter what, I’m not bloody losing this.” Which is really impressive.

But I do feel really good, and I’m excited to keep challenging people this season.