EN BREF

PACE En Bref ... Issue #6
Everything you never knew you needed to know about the Canadian Classic


Before the two finalists took to the court, the packed auditorium was treated to a filmed tribute to Canadian great Jonathon Power, who won the Classic title three times in six years. He was presented with a trophy by former great Sharif Khan, who was North American champion for 13 years.

POWER IN TORONTO…

You couldn’t have a Canadian Classic without the Magician really now, could you. If only as 'Players' chairman', as John Nimick calls him. His wife Sita just four days from the planned birth of the new addition to the Power family (boy or girl, God only knows, literally), Jonathan still finds the time to indulge the Press/Fans attention.

I hadn’t seen him for just over a year, since Saudi 05 at the end of that big Asian Tour that crowned him World Number One. And as you remember, he retired a few weeks later, at the TOC in New York.

"My goal for that whole year before my retirement was to get back to world number one spot. I had something to prove to myself, but once it was done, there was nothing the tour had to offer it didn’t give me already. So I decided it was time to make a drastic change, and like I do everything in my life, I changed everything, not only a change in my career, but also a change in my family, a complete change of environment…

"Of course, for two months after my retirement, I went a bit crazy, I didn’t know what I should spend my time on, but very quickly, I realised I had more time to spend with my family, with my friends, more time to do what I really wanted to do, still being involved in squash, but not having to have to fly all over the world for it. And that’s when I realised how right I was to have retired, and why I did it…"

Jonathan Power is still The Man here in Canada, and I suspect everywhere in North America. Kids here don’t ask me if I know Shabana or Ramy, or anybody else but Jonathan Power. “Is he nice?” “Do you know him”? And their eyes light up when you say yes…

"John Nimick asked me to assume the role of 'Players' Chairman', which means going around, trying to promote the sport, dealing with players' issues if needed, etc. And of course, it made sense in particular that I should do it in Toronto, as I know everybody…"

The Magician lives for the moment here in Toronto, as Sita’s family lives here and, quite understandably, she enjoys their support with the imminent arrival of the baby. He is still deeply involved in squash and is planning to be in it for a long while…

"I didn’t spend my whole life becoming an expert in a subject to suddenly drop everything and do something completely different. I’m doing a lot of exhibitions, a lot of work with the kids, anything I can do to promote squash here in North America. You know, it’s not hard to have a role promoting something that you love and that you enjoy being the face of. I will keep on doing so as long as I can, and this is only the beginning…"

PACE En Bref ... Issue #5
Everything you never knew you needed to know about the Canadian Classic

BLESS THE KIDS

I’ve been lucky enough to be allocated a nice seat in the front row, a bit low compared to most other venues I’ve been to, but just high enough to have a perfect view of the tin.

And I’m actually sitting among the court cleaners, all fervent squash players, under 11, 13 and 15 Ontario and Canada players.

And they are enjoying, and commenting, and clapping, and enjoying every rally of each match.

I’m delighting myself with the sentences they come out with, “awesome squash”, “what a shot”, “too much time”, “I wish I could play like that”, “That’s lobbing for you”…

And obviously, they know it all, and as I was explaining some rule detail to one of them, the look on one of the kid's face prompted me to say “I’m saying that, but I’m sure you know about squash as much as I do”.

And the answer fell like an axe, “probably”.

I did ask for it…

AND THE FAIR PLAY AWARD GOES TO…

… It’s a tie actually, between Stewart Boswell and David Palmer. They both showed some great sportsmanship (well, most of the players did this week, with one or two little exceptions (they’ll know who I’m talking about) during their quarter final match.

For example, in the third David refused a stroke and asked for a let, just as Stewart did the day before against James....

And even better, in the first game at 5/5, the ref awarded a stroke to David, who considered that he should only get a let. So the decision was reversed to a let, only to have Stewart reversing it again to a stroke.

These are only a few examples among dozens… But I just wanted to stress how easy is it to make a big fuss of our players when they behave not that well, how easy it is to point out the negative, to make a story out of a little comment or an outburst.

But what about a bit of positivism and recognition of the sportsmanship, the camaraderie, the respect, the hard work that all these young men (and women) produce day in day out.

We’ve got some astonishing sportsmen in squash. And one thing is sure, they don’t do it for the money. Time we bowed to them instead of constantly criticising them…

LANGUAGE COURSE…

One of the many good things in Canada is that all the official building notices must be written in both English and French.
I know that it annoys most non French speaking Canadians, but I find it not only funny, but extremely useful.

Did I mention I love Canada…?

WISH YOU WERE HERE…?

Lots of people have been wondering why Thierry Lincou is not in Toronto for an event he actually won two editions ago. No, he is not having a nervous breakdown after his mate Greg overtook him in the world and French rankings, the man is getting married. Again.

Yes, the first time, in July was for the fun of it, well actually for the law, the civil ceremony I think you call it. We did that in Marseille but this time, it was for real, it was at home, in La Réunion Island (near Madagascar/Africa for those whose geographical skills are as good as mine), and it was in front of God…

Serious stuff. Can’t/shouldn’t get out of that one…

So, while we are all freezing our butts in Canada, Thierry “se dore la pilule”, is sun tanning at will and recharging the batteries. Wish I was there? Oh boy just ask me…

PACE En Bref ... Issue #4
Everything you never knew you needed to know about the Canadian Classic

LESSON OF PROFESSIONALISM

You may not realise how professional the players are, as they accept to speak with us right after their match, and I mean, right after. Of course, the main reason is that we have so little time between matches, that we’ve got to get the quote, type it, and put it on the site before the next match starts, which is very tricky sometimes. Also, “à chaud”, “on the spot”, the comments are always more vibrant, more emotional.

But still, sometimes, players don’t wish to talk right after a bad loss, or after a very disputed encounter, quite understandably. And although I always stand a few steps away from them, waiting for them to give me the nod that means, “OK, Fram, you can come in my space, I don’t mind speaking to you although I hate the world right now,” although I always ask before approaching, I’m so amazed that they would accept to discuss their match so soon…

But the award of the best professional this round goes to… James Willstrop, who we all know HATES losing, and is not normally to be approached for about one hour after a “hard loss” (meaning very disputed and hard match loss).

Well, after his defeat in the second round, I just went for Bozza, had a chat with the delighted although knackered Australian, and went straight to my desk, didn’t even made any attempt to speak with James. And as I sat at my computer, I heard his voice above my shoulder.

“Ok, Fram, I’m here, let’s do it.”

That my friends, is called professionalism.

SIDE WALL CALL…

This is the first time I've seen this, I know it’s common in North America, but we have a third official here, on top of the normal referee / marker set up. And in this instance the “decider-in-charge-of-appeals” man has been placed on the side wall.

I’m not exactly sure why they’ve put the poor bloke there, as you would have to pay me and kick me hard to watch anything from that position, as it is in my opinion the worst place ever to judge anything about squash, but I’m sure they have their reasons…

Nevertheless, it’s been creating a bit of confusion in the players' referral to the ref, as they keep on asking the “side wall” for a correction of the ref’s decision, whereas in fact, only the ref can ask him.

Are you confused? I’m confused.

Yes, that’s what the players needed. A few more reasons/opportunities to get distracted. After the marker, and the ref, let’s give them a third person they can argue with …

REF/PLAYERS GEMS…

Abbas : "He didn’t ask for a let!"
Ref:       "His body language did"

Hisham : "Why no let?"
Ref:         "There was no interference."
Hisham:   "Oh yes there was. A big interference.
                A biiiiiiiiiiiig one!"

Wael: "Can we have a commercial break
please….?????"

Lee: "Well that is a shocker!          Where did you find it?"
Ref:   "In the rule book."
Lee: "Which rule book. Yours?"

"Ref, do you know that you can ask the side wall ref for advice? Don’t be shy…"

Before ...

HAIRCUTS … After the long hair period, Amr Shabana has cut his hair very short (which led the Customs Officer to ask him whatever happen to his hair, did he lose them????), along with Ramy, and thank God, thank GOD, Anthony Ricketts, who had for a few months let his hair grow, without much success it has to be said… But of course, you always have one, haven’t you, who is doing exactly the opposite to the rest of the pack, and it had to be Mister White, who is obviously in a 70s’ kind of feel, bandana and all… Isn’t he sweet…
... After