I've been playing squash for about three years or so now and I must say, I was always under the impression that it was a non-contact sport. If that's the case, i'm doing something wrong.
I now boast an impressive collection of welts and ball-shaped bruises. From a distance I could be mistaken for a gangly, hairless dalmation. To add to those come two permanent scars. One on my chin and - as of last weekend - another dead centre of my top lip. Both as a result of a racket to the face. Suddenly I resemble a gangly, hairless dalmation with facial features baring a slight resemblence to Sam Dingle from Emmerdale.
It's not all one-way traffic though. My usual playing partner has taken his fair share of beatings as well, most notably a corker of a black eye a couple of months ago, which left him spark out on the floor for a minute or two.
Now, either i'm standing way to close to my opponent or this whole 'non-contact' speil is a load of horse shit.
Great game though. Much, much more enjoyable than busting your arse on a treadmill or the like for an hour, despite the wounds.