ISDA Star Brings Unique Perspective on Squash, Life

Viktor Berg - playing singles in 2003. (photo© Debra Tessier)

With the recent retirement of Jonathan Power and the imminent retirement of his perennial counterpart Peter Nicol, there has been concern that the game may now lack individuals with charisma and personality.
When Canadian Viktor Berg chose North American doubles over the PSA Singles circuit the squash spectator masses were also robbed of one the most entertaining and innovative of Squash players. (Berg had climbed to a career high of PSA #45)    
The North American doubles tour is all the better for having the likes of Viktor Berg around. With upbeat humor, boundless energy and a dazzling array of shots, Victor is a fantastic ambassador for the game of Squash and is no doubt one of the main doubles stars responsible for the growth of the ISDA tour over the last 6 years.

I recently had the chance to chat with Viktor at a charity event staged at Squashbusters in Boston.

JH: Describe how you got started in squash and how it progressed into a playing career.

Viktor Berg - playing Jonathon Power at the TOC in 2004. (photo© Debra Tessier)

Viktor: My parents played and I really enjoyed it, started from tennis as that’s how I got my double-handed backhand.  I think it progressed from the professional side of the sport, for the love of the overall game.  I loved sports, traveling around the world and doing something I loved. It all seemed like a perfect fit even when I was younger. 

JH: You are one of the most entertaining squash players in the world, what do you think it is about your personality that allows this to happen?

Viktor: Thanks. Sports and personality go hand in hand. If you see and look at any sports athlete their style dictates a little about themselves. I just enjoy everything about the sport. Everything from how amazing you feel to the people involved.   It really just comes down to the moment of playing and loving what you are doing.  I think I found out when I was younger (junior) that when you are doing something you should choose to like it or why bother?  Like anything in life, I love what I do.

Squash is an all around amazing sport. When I look at other sports I look at the overall concept and lifestyle of it, Squash is played in almost every country in the world, beautiful clubs, it’s the healthiest sport and they all have the most amazing people involved....so I say to myself, this is the best! It really can`t be compared to any other sport.  Sometimes I would talk to someone about there kids playing junior squash and they would ask for advice. The main priority I feel is they should enjoy it and squash should be a lifetime sport.  I’ve met so many great people that I just want them to stay involved it.   I think most players feel this way too but I let it show on court with my energy sometimes. 

Every second when I am out there I always try to imagine and be creative. Gambling is a part of squash too, taking risks and this comes a little bit more natural to me.  

JH: Why is hardball doubles your main focus and how does it differ from pro singles?

Viktor Berg - appearing mainly on the ISDA tour these days. (photo© Debra Tessier)

Viktor: Good question. I love both sports. Doubles is more entertaining and enjoyable to play but also sometimes singles is more satisfying. This is due to the physical element.  Physically you give it your all and there is something about pushing your body and mind to the edge that makes you feel content.  

Doubles is much harder work on the upper body and mentally demanding. Doubles is played at a much faster pace and exciting. You can hit any shot from any angle. It’s really quite amazing. I grew up playing singles for Canada and the PSA tour but when Gary Waite introduced me to doubles and how he has grown the game, I have never looked back.   

JH: You mentioned the gambling element in playing squash and I know you are a fanatical poker player. Whatother interests outside of squash do you have?

Viktor: Well, over the past few years, I have played both the ISDA tour and PSA and that doesn't leave me much time for anything else. Currently I am playing only the ISDA tour as the traveling is too much from the west coast now.  It leaves me more time for other interests which does include poker. I have also taken up my first real estate project which includes a mix residential and commercial complex.

JH: It is fairly well known in the squash community that your girlfriend Morgan suffered a tragic injury several years ago. How have you both been able to cope with the set back and what positives have come out of it for you both?

Viktor: Yes, let me say this.  We (Morgan and I) would not be doing nearly as well without all the squash communities support. Everyone and everybody have been so amazing to us. We are so thankful for everyone support and that is what makes the differences with us. We are still thankful for what we have. Morgan has had a few setbacks though. She has now gone though 4 major surgery's and still recovering from the last one.  It is not always easy but we make the best of the cards we were dealt and try and move forward. Life has changed but I know it is our choices in what direction we want to go.

Generally I think I am doing well too because Morgan has been so amazing with how strong she has been.  The squash community has been my life line at times.

JH: What's the most bizarre experience you’ve hadduring your travels as a Pro Squash player?

Viktor: I’ve had many bizarre experiences,  from playing on a painted white cement floor mixed with coca cola for traction control to playing on an out door court which had no roof and it rained!! This was when I was playing in Mexico during the finals of a PSA event.  We had to stay a extra couple days so they could fix the floors. No problem with the players as we were on the beach!!! 

I also remember when I was traveling in South America but I unknowingly traveled without a mandatory vaccine shot for yellow fever. Unfortunately my travel agent didn`t tell me!! So, I showed up at the airport and they wouldn`t let me on the plane. I had to get a fake vaccine certificate from some shoddy travel company and was  thankfully just able to get to my first round on time a couple of days later. 

JH: What are your plans after your playing career has finished?

Viktor: I have a very keen and active interest in real-estate and the stock market.  In the squash world I’ve always enjoyed the coaching aspect and hope to always be involved with juniors.

 I feel what the inner city squash programs are doing is tremendous and might like to be involved with something of that nature eventually.

JH: Thanks for taking time out to talk and best of luck to both you and Morgan for the future.

Viktor: Thanks Jason, it was a pleasure!