Ritwik Bhattacharya and the art of chilling out

Squash stalwart Ritwik Bhattacharya talks about how he chills out

Squash stalwart Ritwik Bhattacharya talks about how he chills out

FOR any sportsperson, living a disciplined life is very important. One needs to be completely focused for training schedules and practice sessions to reach the level needed to play against top- class players.

Squash ace Ritwik Bhattacharya. PIC COURTESY: OK! INDIA MAGAZINE

But at the same time, one also needs to keep the body, and more importantly, the mind fresh. So, as I give 100 per cent during my training, I do the same with my breaks.

I have a fixed training schedule for the coming months and that includes breaks at the right time so that I can refresh myself and recharge the batteries.

If I am in Mumbai, I usually look at going out of the city on weekends. It could be a road trip to places like Mahabaleshwar, Kashid, Matheran or take a flight and just go out into the wild where it's very quiet and peaceful.

I think it's very important for anyone living in the city to get out once or twice in a month and stay in peaceful surroundings just to feel better mentally. The hustle-bustle of the city life and the traffic and the daily routine
sometimes gets very monotonous.

When I am back from a tournament or don't have time to go out of the city, I try and catch up with friends. With friends, it's generally meeting up over coffee or a small party.

Surfing
The one thing that I really look forward to is surfing. There's not much chance of that in Mumbai but I have gone surfing a few times in Goa. I have not done enough of it because of time constraints but would love to spend more time on the board.

I usually try to do as much of it when I am traveling for a tournament. Once I was in Jakarta and went to Bali to surf for three days.

Then in Australia once, I was surfing for a week near Brisbane. They were really great experiences and spending time on a beach or even in the wilderness is a great way to relax.

Luckily, traveling is an integral part of my life and that gives me a chance to see different places and experience new things.

After all, wherever you go, you are always going to find something that's worth doing. And because of the frequent travelling, I also have friends everywhere.

So whenever I am out and I have time, I try to catch up on friends and go to the movies or just sit and talk.

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