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 Qatar
Classic EN BREF Issue #4
Everything you didn't know you needed to know about the Qatar Classic ... |
FLASH LAURA...
I was blessed on this tournament. After Lauren B and Aisling B, I asked
organised Laura L-Massaro if she would like to help me cover the ladies
semis, as I was impressed by the analysis she would offer me when I was
asking her views on matches I missed.
 But
I didn't expect Flash Laura! She arrived to watch the match with a
laptop, and by the time I spoke with the first two players, I had the
report in my letterbox!
And the same for the second match. By the time I finished typing
Natalie's quote, the Wonder Lady had finished not only Tania's quote but her
report as well.
I found three gems on this tournament, three extremely professional
reporters, and I can only hope they'll keep it up, with me around or
not. We need the players to get more and more involved in the promotion
of our sport.
And giving a voice to the people who actually KNOW what they are talking
about is the best promotional tool in my eyes... |
MAKE
UP YOUR
OWN MIND...
Like most of the people involved closely in squash, players and
officials all together, I truly believe that the three refs system is
the way forward.
"The players seem happy", says Graham Waters, "and that what's count".
So true, Graham.
But we've got to make sure that the side refs take their decisions on
their own, not being influenced by the other two refs' decisions...
We had the problem it seems during the
Beng Hee/Shabana match, where a ref ws allegedly seen looking at his mates before giving a no let against
Beng Hee on game ball in the second.
It was probably just a reflex, and he had taken his decision already,
but that is something that the players seem very adamant about,
and insist on the refs to make up their own mind...
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Qatar
Classic EN BREF Issue #3 |
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Best line of the
day :
Natalie Grinham to
John Massarella:
"But why did you call it out then???"
John :
"Because I got it wrong..." |
PERFECT
TREATMENT...
If reporters are not top of the agenda
at certain tournaments, here,
in Qatar, they know how to receive the Press, and having access to
the VIP area, we are able to delight ourselves with food provided by
the prestigious French caterer Fauchon.
Once again, variety, choice, quality... Served with a smile, in a
perfect environment.
Hard to find something nasty to say, I tell
you... |
FOOD,
GLORIOUS FOOD...
Qatar organisation is among the best in the world, I
told you that several times, and they chose for us a hotel where the
food is, unfortunately, sublime, abundant, and varied.
 And
one person among so many who is enjoying his food is World Ref John
Massarella.
The poor man, conscious of his tendency to overdo it, only eats two out
of the three
meals we get here, going to the gym instead of enjoying
breakfast.
Awhhhh....
But, as like me, he is a bit clumsy, and has to be impeccable at all
times, he chose the perfect solution to protect his clothes...
The worst part of the buffet is the dessert panel. O. MY. GOD. Just
looking at it, I'm putting on weight... I have to admit that I did
indulge the first two days, although I've succeeded to stay clear
since the second round...
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PUNISHED…
 Lovely
Sarah Kippax committed an inconceivable crime: the first night we
were here, as Wendy Danzey (ref) and myself were on our way to the
desert buffet to enjoy some marshmallows drowned in chocolate, we realised
in horror that the English player had taken the last three.
 Can
you believe the nerve? And not just small pieces. BIIIIIIG ones....
Her punishment? To get me a great vanilla milkshake from next door....Well,
you’ve got to make them respect their elders you know… |
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I CAN DIVE TOO…
I’m having a great time with my girls here, you know. Not only was I
able to get some mascara off Tenille, as I forgot to put some make-up on
yesterday, I know, won't make much difference anymore, but we had a
great line from Vicky that made us all laugh for some long minutes.
She was playing against Rachael, as I’m sure you remember, and the
Australian was diving, getting on her left hand to reach some tough drop
shots, the way men do, you know the style, very physical.
Suddenly, we have our Vicky, slowly and gradually getting down on her
knees, then delicately sliding onto the floor, as if getting into a
swimming pool, very feminine-wise.
”I can dive too,” she declares with the very high pitched and delicate
voice....
The whole place burst out laughing. “That was a poor excuse of a dive,”
commented boyfriend Stewart sitting next to me.
Actually, like a lady doesn’t sweat, but glows, Vicky doesn’t dive, but
slides… |
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Qatar
Classic EN BREF Issue #2 |
MY WONDER GIRLS...
 I
told you dozen of times that I needed cloning. And I must say that after
the short night I had the night before the second round (finished
working at 2am
and woken at 6am
by the building work next door, had to
change room eventually), I was
feeling pretty overwhelmed by the day coming. All the men on the glass
court, and two matches at the same time on the other courts for the
ladies.
 But
my two adorable, charming, witty and talented friends, Lauren Briggs
and Aisling Blake came to the rescue. I had asked them to give me
a hand with the ladies' reporting, and they'd promised they would do one
or two.
But I got myself born and bred reporters, allied with two perfectionists,
who covered each and every one of the matches, from start to finish, and
not only that, but typed it all for me, leaving Complete Legend Cubbins
to tweak and make it look good, as he always does.
I spent my evening last night telling them how grateful I was. And I
tell it here too. I'm ever so so grateful. They've allowed me to do a
much better job, and offered you good people a complete coverage.
They have saved my life, and I'm praying for them to keep on doing so
when they can in the future...
Merci les filles... |
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Best line of the
day :
Peter Barker to Nick Matthew after a let :
"I swear on my mother's life that I did touch you"
Nick :
"And I swear on my mother's life that you didn't!"
Peter :
"Somebody just died... |
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Qatar
Classic EN BREF Issue #1 |
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DOHA'S CHANGING...
Driving Sunday from the airport straight from Madrid, I was reminded by
Nicol David with whom I did the trip how amazingly quickly Doha has
changed.
 "When
I came here, five years ago, told me Queen Nicol, there was only the
Sheraton over there. Now, look at that!"
Yes, it's quite incredible, isn't it. Constructions appear every day,
like mushrooms, and it's making this town so vibrant and exciting.
The price to pay? Building sites everywhere, including outside our
hotel! But hey, they do stop between midnight and 6am.... |
AMONG FRIENDS...
Great advantages of coming back to a place you've been before, and if
you have behaved yourself of course, you are bound to be greeted with a
few smiles.
And smiles I got
at my arrival, from all in the
superb, astonishing and all changed Khalifa Squash Complex. Yes, another
thing that has changed too while I looked away!
 But
I must say one of
the
greatest pleasure was to see Alaaeldeen
Allouba, technical consultant for QSF, still full of graciousness,
professionalism, and, if you allow me, charm...
I did
introduce him to you last year with Robert Edward's
complicity, and will catch up with him to talk about the changes he has
witnessed for the past few years, thanks to the immense effort that
Qatar has put in sport in general, and squash in particular..
And I hope to speak to much more people too. Old acquaintances, and new
ones to come.
You know me, you say "hello", and I tell you the rest.... |
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LEGEND
RAMY INJURED????
Naaaa, you can relax, good people. Look carefully, it's his left hand.
He happened to twist it slightly in Saudi during the final against All
Mighty Shabana so, as a precaution, he is keeping it tight.
And about his tournament in Saudi? "Shabana is still the Champion, you
know. He is such a generous and giving person, you wouldn't believe. I
don't mind losing against such a man."
And you know what? He is soooo speaking the truth. We all, all of us on
the tour, bow to the Prince of Egypt... |
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