Interview by Tor Gray for Squash Magazine
“Now in her second full season on the professional squash tour, Marina Stefanoni continues to evolve—not just in results, but in how she trains, prepares and approaches competition. With greater demands on court and more time spent on the road, her development has been shaped by learning what it means to train with intention and adapt to life as a touring professional.
In this interview, Marina reflects on her growth over the past two seasons, how her training has shifted as competition has intensified, and why solo drilling remains a foundational part of her preparation. Her insights offer practical takeaways for players at every level looking to train smarter, stay focused and trust their own development.
In my first season on the professional squash tour, I rose from No. 61 in the world to a career-high ranking of No. 25. In the first half of my second full-time season, I’ve reached a highest ranking of No. 20.
Since graduating college, I’ve been able to fully dedicate myself to training on and off court, so it’s been extremely rewarding to see that commitment reflected in my ranking. It reassures me that I’m on the right path and that the daily work is leading to tangible progress.
As I’ve climbed the rankings, the competition has grown stronger in every aspect—physically, tactically and mentally. That has pushed me to train with more intensity and intention than ever before. I’m spending more hours on court and in the gym than I did last year, but more importantly, I approach every session with a clear focus. There’s no room to take training for granted, so everything I do now has a purpose tied directly to improving my performance on court.
Purposeful Progress: Marina Stefanoni on Training With Intent
