A new documentary on Squash.tv features Open Squash ambassador Victor Crouin’s incredible run to the final four of New York’s Tournament of Champions in early 2024.
The film, “Victor Crouin: The French Renaissance” is directed by Spencer Choice and begins with Crouin’s remarkable rise through the rankings in the 2022-2023 season. It opens with his French Open victory against Marwan ElShorbagy, beating the Englishman 12-10 in the fifth, and reminds us that Crouin reached six finals and won three tournaments the year before last, breaking into the top eight for the first time. Then, he had a bad run of form which he describes as a “small setback, but hopefully it will help me to achieve my goals.”
“Things have changed quite quickly this season, and I’ve moved down in the ranking, and there’s a few losses that were a bit tough to swallow and accept, things wouldn’t click,” Crouin says, at the beginning of the film. “And I wouldn’t play as freely as I did last season, I wouldn’t execute my shot as quickly, I was just overthinking, overanalyzing, and doubting myself really.”
Then we follow Crouin through his preparations and matches at New York’s Tournament of Champions, which takes place every year at Grand Central station.
“It’s a prestigious event, the best players in the world have won the event, and I always remember watching it after midnight with my dad, and supporting Greg Gaultier and Camille Serme,” Crouin says. “We train for those moments, to be able to compete, and I’m looking forward to be back in action.
The film features footage of Crouin hanging out with his fellow tour professionals, and includes the opening of Open Squash at FiDi, where he played an exhibition match with Ali Farag.
“I think Open squash has been waiting for a long time to officially open the club, it’s been two years in the making. Especially the kids, it’s wonderful to see the kids on the squash court, to be able to spend some time on the court and give them our passion for the sport,” Crouin says.
The film also features great footage of Crouin’s incredible run through the tournament—beating Youssef Soliman in five games, and pointing to his head as he does so.
“It’s never easy to stay calm and confident,” he says. “I’m proud of winning in five.”
The Iron Marshall also talks about his nickname, given him by squash commentator Joey Barrington, after a French general, Louis-Nicolas d'Avout, who was known to be particularly prepared and methodical.
Crouin also beat Marwan ElShorbagy in five games, and then had a spectacular three-love win against New Zealander, Paul Coll, in the quarterfinals, winning the first 33-minute game 16-14, and not allowing Coll to settle, at all.
“That’s quite possibly the best squash I’ve ever seen from the Frenchman,” Barrington said. “He’s got all his artillery; he’s got all his troops organized.”
Perhaps inevitably, Crouin lost in the semifinals to world number one Ali Farag, who ultimately won the tournament.
“He’s obsessed with the sport in a healthy way, you see his education, how balanced he is as a person, he’s someone that I definitely learn a lot from,” Farag said after the game.
“Making it into the top four in a Platinum event is huge for me,” Crouin says. “It’s my second-best performance on the PSA, so it’s a fantastic result for me.”
Ultimately, the film is a compelling portrait of a player on the rise. It makes you ask: What’s next in the story of Victor Crouin? And we can’t wait to find out!