16-Aug-07:
Further proof of a
resurgent UK tour ...
 
The inaugural Prince English Grand Prix - Birmingham 2007 squash championships will be staged on the stunning all-glass show court at the University of Birmingham from the 6th to 9th September, with many of the World’s leading players confirmed to compete for sport’s most recent and exciting new addition to the international circuit.

It’s a sound brick which helps make the soaring spire possible. The British Open is about to be elevated to new and exciting heights; but it won’t stand there permanently and safely without a high-level, top quality platform.

That is exactly what the Prince English Grand Prix, a new and exciting addition to the men’s World Tour has been designed to provide. Starting just a fortnight before the Dunlop British Open – Manchester 2007 it should create an ideally-positioned support structure and prove of great significance for the major title chasers.

As if to illustrate this, reigning British Open Champion Nick Matthew was one of the first to say that he would build up to the defence of his title by playing in this brand-new five star PSA event.

Others have cottoned on too! Little wonder that among those challenging him will be David Palmer, the World Champion from Australia who has claims to being the world’s gutsiest player; Gregory Gaultier from France who can claim to be the world’s unluckiest having had five match balls against Palmer in the greatest World Open final of the lot; Lee Beachill and James Willstrop, two other home hopes with title aspirations, plus Stewart Boswell, the Aussie who has performed miracles to make a comeback from injury, and Peter Barker, the Englishman who proved he too is good enough to influence the outcome of tournaments with a recent victory over Amr Shabana, the World No.1.

It’s a little reminiscent of the late seventies and early eighties when there was a thriving British professional circuit. And looking back to that is a way of looking to the future.

Certainly Jonah Barrington, the great pioneer of professional squash, and six time British OPen Champion, likes the idea of the Prince English Grand Prix, as well as the Wolverhampton Open, becoming part of a revival mini-tour.

"A British circuit? It works very well. It’s not crucial for the success of the British Open, but it is crucial to the ultimate evolution of another squash boom.

"It sets in motion sensible thinking people into talking about squash in a positive way for the first time for years and years. It’s now going to happen for more than just a two-week period."

Even when players are near to their physical peak they need matches to hone their movements, emotions, and tactical reflexes.

Enjoy the expectancy it creates.