In worrying less about squash and focusing more on other aspects of his life, Greg Lobban went on to enjoy the most successful year of his career. And there might just be something in that.

Perhaps it was turning 30 or maybe it was just a world weariness from a decade on the road but the Scotland No.1 entered last season without feeling any significant pressure to perform.

Having enrolled in a sports scholarship programme at Heriot-Watt University and with wife Donna – the former world number 13 – falling pregnant, there were other things more pressing in Lobban’s life.

Freed from that fixation, however, the Inverness athlete went on to experience a stellar season on the PSA World Tour that saw him reach the unprecedented high of No. 16 in the world. And he believes being more relaxed on court and more fulfilled off it had a significant role to play in that.

“Last year went really well, especially the last couple of months of my season,” says the Edinburgh-based player. “I managed to find the best form of my career and take a few scalps too which was nice.

“The year before had been a tough one. I struggled to finish off matches and lost quite a few of them in deciding games. That was hard to take. I've always felt that I had what was needed to reach the top 20 but with every passing year that was looking less likely.

“But last year I was able to beat more of the top players more consistently and deserved my spot in there. It’s funny that it’s happened now with so much else going on in my life.

“When I was younger I used to think to be the best I needed to think about squash – and squash only – all of the time. I didn’t want any more distractions. But with time you learn that that’s actually a myth. You really should find things outside of your job – whatever that is – to make you happy and engaged in life in general. That definitely helps.

“Having things that enrich the rest of your life don’t harm your ability on the squash court. Maybe the opposite, in fact. I’ve learned with age that there’s more to life than just playing squash so knowing the baby was on the way and having my studies definitely helped me produce some of my best performances on the court.”

This resurgence in the latter stages of his career has given Lobban cause to wonder whether he may have more miles left in the legs than previously thought. An initial plan to call it a day after the 2026 Commonwealth Games is already in doubt given the uncertainty over that event, but with squash set to appear at the next Olympics in 2028, Lobban is wondering whether that might be still within the realms of possibility.

“The Commonwealth Games in 2026 – when it was originally meant to be in Australia – was going to be a target of mine,” he reveals. “That was always the most important tournament for a lot of squash players. So it’s disappointing that we don’t know yet if it will go ahead or not but we’re obviously hoping that it will.

“When squash got announced for the next Olympics I figured I would be outside the ranking for Team GB by that point but after a good year I’m sitting now at No. 4. So it’s certainly not outside the realms of possibility. I definitely want to look ahead to that and, having watched the Olympics this summer, it definitely builds the motivation to try to make the team for 2028. I think a lot of people will be delaying their retirement to try to make that one!”

Studying part-time for his MSc in International Sports Management has also been a useful diversion, with Lobban working closely with the university to fit in his studies around his squash schedule.

“My first year is done,” he adds with an air of relief. “It’s what I thought it would be in terms of the content and I didn’t have to sacrifice too much which is maybe what I was worried about beforehand. Next year will be a bit tougher with the dissertation due next summer so ask me again in 12 months how I’m finding it! But at the moment it’s working well and the university have been really supportive in allowing me to fit it all in with my squash.”

Then there is fatherhood, with son, Scott, born in June. “It’s been a whirlwind as you would expect but it’s been great,” adds Lobban. “He’s well which is the main thing. I’ve been adjusting training a little bit to spend more time with him so I’m lucky that I’m an athlete and have that flexibility, rather than having to go to work for eight hours a day. It’s hard but it’s also really rewarding so we’re happy.”

Childcare will need to be combined with the day job again this week when Lobban takes to the court in Weybridge looking to become the first Scot to win the British national championships for 20 years. “It’s about time we got a Scottish name back on the trophy,” he adds. "Hopefully I can have a good week and be the one to do that."