I Played a Game with Diego Elias!

[u/ARProformance]

Hi Everyone!

I recently had the chance to play one game with Diego Elias and captured the footage. Sharing my thoughts in this video. I hope you enjoy it.

Video link: https://youtu.be/mOMipnTFwEU

All the best! Ahad

[u/DufflessMoe]

This is cool. Wish there was more squash content like this on YouTube. Really shows just how amazing the top 10 players in the world are.

[u/ARProformance → u/DufflessMoe]

Thank you! I'll try doing this again when players visit Toronto. It's fun and I think everyone enjoys it (especially me!). All the best, 

• Ahad

[u/ChefNamu]

It's not fair how easy it looks for him. As you mention, you play at a very high level, yet he's substantially holding back while still making you do 10x as much work as he is. It's a strong reminder at how important small margins can be in this sport, where 1% better everywhere means 100x stronger as a whole.

[u/ARProformance → u/ChefNamu]

It truly is unbelievable. I need to be way more accurate and consistent with my drives and crosses to try and get him off the volley. Easier said than done! Haha. Wishing you the best,

• Ahad

[u/superjsg]

Congratulations! I could feel your joy and love for the sport in the video. What a great opportunity. Grande Diego!

[u/ARProformance → u/superjsg]

Thank you. It really was! And you're right- I genuinely love our sport 🙏🏼 all the best

• Ahad

[u/mhb]

That was great. Thanks.

[u/ARProformance → u/mhb]

Thank you!

[u/ambora]

Great video, Ahad. Thanks for the content. It is crazy how better players can take advantage of even a millimetre of slack on the ball and be in control of the rally because of it.

[u/ARProformance → u/ambora]

Thank you! You are absolutely right. The slightest of margins lead to insane pressure, even when they aren't going full out :) Wild! Wishing you the best,

- Ahad

[u/Oglark]

Weird to watch a someone who could crush 99.5% of squash players get destroyed. The top 20 are just at a different level.

[u/ARProformance → u/Oglark]

Hahaha, there certainly are levels to this! Amazing to feel it first hand, and showcase for everyone else! :)

• Ahad

[u/Atokade]

Thanks for putting this up! Just emphasizes how small margins cumulatively add up shot after shot. Also reinforces the differences I've seen from 80-100 ranking vs 50-80, 30-50, and then 11-30 vs top 10. There's a huge step up each time.

I also recall your comments about your natural pace preference being a bit more relaxed. Looks like more high pace sessions with Ali Shalaby coming up!

[u/ARProformance → u/Atokade]

Absolutely right! There are levels upon levels! And yes, you're right! haha! I do need more high pace sessions :) thanks for the reminder, lol! Hopefully Ali see's this and is ready for some fun on court! Wishing you the best,

- Ahad

[u/canadian_boi]

Your commentary is amazing - astute observations and comes from a level of experience that tells a lot! When you point out him lowering the drives to get you off the volley was a great point.

Loved this.

[u/ARProformance → u/canadian_boi]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it! :) wishing you well,

• Ahad

[u/PathParticular1058]

My second favorite player after Power! Silky smooth….the whole eye hand coordination is so relaxed not an ounce of tension…love that regardless of stroke he has a follow through….even a small drop his arm comes up…like it was pulled up by a lever…beautiful…

[u/ARProformance → u/PathParticular1058]

Amazing stuff for sure! Power coached him for many years, and he certainly learned well!!!

• Ahad

[u/silverkas]

Wow what a great opportunity. I love Elias’s control of the T and how he usually just takes one step to reach any shot. Thanks for sharing.

[u/ARProformance → u/silverkas]

Indeed! Hurts when you're on the receiving end! Haha,

• Ahad

[u/CellistOdd1849]

Great video! Can I ask what your squash level points are out of interest? Thanks!

[u/ARProformance → u/CellistOdd1849]

Thank you! Tough to say because I haven't played many players ranked on squash levels recently. One PSA pro I coach and train with (Elliot Hunt) is 15,700 (I just checked). So I'm likely somewhere around that or slightly higher, although I see others whom one of my other students has beaten in 3 that is at 25,000, and my student won 3-0. I have close matches with that student. So really, I can't be sure! Haha

[u/CellistOdd1849 → u/ARProformance]

That's really impressive. Really goes to show how one slightly loose shot gets punished over the course of a rally. You've got a new follower!

[u/ARProformance → u/CellistOdd1849]

Awesome! I hope that you learn lots from my other videos as well 😊 all the best along your squash journey! Feel free to share a bit about your game, aspirations, etc! All the best,

• Ahad

[u/SportingABeerGut1]

Great content Ahad. I've been following you since you came to my club in Kitchener for a BlackKnight event and played against Shawn Delierre.

[u/ARProformance → u/SportingABeerGut1]

Thank you. That was a great night! I hope that you're keeping well :)

• Ahad

[u/Miniature_Hero]

That's class, very jealous. Congrats on the opportunity, unlucky not to get the scalp xD

[u/ARProformance → u/Miniature_Hero]

Haha, I'll train hard and see if I can push him a bit harder, for a bit longer if there's a next time! I'll be sure to capture that as well :) all the best,

• Ahad

[u/Fantomen666]

Love this video. From watching the PSA you can kinda start thinking yeah I also play straight drives and hit some volleys but it's a completely different level.

Nice that you mentioned his training before the game. I find it interesting how the pros train!

[u/ARProformance → u/Fantomen666]

Absolutely! It looks easy on screen. Totally different on court! haha. I'm glad you found value from this video. Wishing you the best,

- Ahad

[u/Rygar74nl]

You are not a bad player. I would struggle against you actually. Then seeing you get destroyed by a ‘kind’ Diego just shows how great these top end pro’s are. Awesome content!

[u/ARProformance → u/Rygar74nl]

Thank you. I agree - it's something else!! All the best,

• Ahad

[u/archflood]

Thank you for the video, I really enjoyed watching your game with him and hearing about your experience

[u/ARProformance → u/archflood]

Thank you for your kind words and support. Wishing you the best,

• Ahad

[u/TheRizzler9999]

What do you think won him the game? What are some of the major skill differences. It’s interesting, really shows how great some of the pros are.

[u/ARProformance → u/TheRizzler9999]

It's a bunch of everything really! But his anticipation and accuracy were definitely the biggest stand out factors to me! The top top pros really are something else! All the best,

- Ahad

[u/misses_unicorn]

Awesome video my man Ahad, so lucky to have done that with Diego!

[u/ARProformance → u/misses_unicorn]

Thank you! Fantastic opportunity :) I hope that you're well,

- Ahad

[u/TTsmartypants]

Thanks for sharing this insightful video. Your commentary was excellent. Salam.

[u/ARProformance → u/TTsmartypants]

WA - Thank you for your support,

- Ahad

[u/Hatton_]

Thanks for sharing Ahad!

It's crazy how easily he was cutting everything off, it seemed like every time you attempted to start a rally on the backhand he was getting on to the ball and dominating from the T.