Veer Chotrani credits long-time coach Palmer for transforming his game

Veer Chotrani credits coach David Palmer for transforming his squash game 360 degrees, aiming for top-50 PSA ranking.

Veer Chotrani said that his long-time coach David Palmer, a former World No. 1, has completely transformed his game by “360 degrees.”

The 23-year-old Chotrani, who graduated from Cornell University in the U.S. last year, chose to go to college there since Palmer, an Australian, is the head coach of the Cornell Big Red men’s squash team.

“I’ve been working with him for six years now. And it has completely changed my game 360 degrees. Six years ago, I used to be not even close to how I’m playing right now. I’d give him all the credit for all the pressure sessions and all the work he puts in with me.

“I always had good hands and was a very flashy player when I was younger. I’ve gotten physically better and more disciplined now. And mentally stronger and more patient. When I was a junior, I used to try and finish the rallies very quickly. Now, I’m trying to rally as much as I can and outplay the opponent,” he said at the Indian Squash and Triathlon Academy (ISTA) here on Wednesday.

Saying that his immediate goal is to reach the top-50 (in the PSA rankings, currently 76) in the next few months, he recalled his first-ever PSA match in Chennai in 2021. “I lost in the first round. From that day onwards, I think I’ve done okay to be where I am.”

His father Manish Chotrani is a former two-time National champion. “I see his name there (on the honour boards at ISTA). I want to have my name on those boards as well,” said Chotrani junior, who’s a three-time Nationals semifinalist.