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PREVIEWS
British Open Champions talk about the 2016 Open |
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Greg "happy to be back"
 Two-time
British Open champion Gregory Gaultier is looking
forward to being back in action in Hull after a two
month layoff following his injury in January's ToC in
New York.
"I'm happy to be back playing after two months not
competing," said Gaultier during his British Open
preparations. "Being back on court playing with no pain
is a good feeling when I think 9-10 weeks ago I was
using sticks and couldn't walk."
 The
reigning World Champion was forced to sit out the
Cambridge Cup, Swedish Open, Windy City Open and French
Nationals and found it tough:
"It's been hard to miss all these events, this is
where you realise how much you love the sport, when you
end up being on the sofa watching others playing.
"I'm really thankful to all the physios, doctors who
have helped me during all this rehab and did a great job
cause at the beginning we didnt really know when I would
be back competing, whether I would start with the
British or even later.
"Big thanks to my coach Thomas who was there every day
for me and all the other members of my team for their
great support."
 Champion
in 2007 (beating Thierry Lincou in the final) and 2014,
the Frenchman who is nine-time European Individual
champion is happy to be back for the British Open.
"The british open is the wimbledon of tennis," he
said. "When I won for the first time I was over the
moon, it's such a prestigious tournament to win.
Like the World Open or World Series Finals, it s one of
the top three events you can dream of winning.
"We will see what happens this week, it's just nice to
be part of the competition again ..."
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Serme ready for British Open title
defence
 2015
Women's British Open Champion Camille Serme is
looking forward to starting a World Series event as the
reigning champion for the first time.
"This title is the biggest of my career," said the World
#4 from Creteil. "I still get very emotional when I see
pictures or videos of it!
"It's the first time that I start a World Series event
as the previous winner, it's new for me."
Since that emotional victory in Hull last May, Serme has
retained her French Nationals and European Individual
titles, reached the semi-finals of the U.S. and
Windy City Opens and is looking forward to returning to
the scene of her most famous victory, where she beat
home favourite Laura Massaro in the final.
"I don't want to put too much pressure on myself, I just
try to be in the same mental state as I've been for the
other World Series event this season.
 "Everyone
is so close in term of levels at the moment, it's hard
to pick a winner.
Serme starts her defence with a match against Hull's own
Fiona Moverley, the wildcard entry, and if all goes to
seeding would meet Massaro again in the quarter-finals.
"Of course I will give everything I have to try to win
it again, it would be amazing!
"Let's see next week how things go," she concluded, "I
feel ready!"
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David excited ahead of British
 Five-time
champion Nicol David says she is excited to
compete in the illustrious Allam British Open later this
month when the 'Wimbledon of Squash' gets underway in
Hull's Airco Arena.
After lifting just one World Series title in the last 12
months, December's Hong Kong Open, David will be hoping
to return to winning ways in Hull and lift the special
trophy once again.
 "The
prestige of this event is the highlight for me and to be
part of the British Open every year is truly special,"
said David.
"It is the longest running squash tournament in the
history of the sport and every player is gunning to win
that title to make their mark in the squash world.
"It is such a thrilling experience winning this title
knowing you're part of an elite group of legendary
squash players who have put their name on this trophy.
The British Open title was probably seen as the highest
regard before the World title was introduced so it does
carry a lot of weight winning this title."
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Elshorbagy aims for British
title defence
 Twelve
months after adding his name to the illustrious list of
former Allam British Open champions World No.1
Mohamed Elshorbagy, the 24-year-old Egyptian now
based in Bristol, says he is hungry for more success at
the prestigious 'Wimbledon of Squash’.
Elshorbagy joined the likes of legendary icons Jahangir
Khan, Jansher Khan and mentor Jonah Barrington when he
defeated Gregory Gaultier to triumph in a brutal
encounter last May and after successfully defending his
Qatar Classic, Hong Kong Open and Tournament of
Champions crowns so far during the 2015/16 season the
man who has dominated the top or the world rankings
throughout the past 12-months is hoping to complete a
clean sweep of title-defences when he takes centre stage
at the Airco Arena,
"Winning the British Open was an achievement that I will
always remember as it was something that I always dreamt
of achieving," said Elshorbagy.
 "t
was a dream come true and an honour to have my name
beside all the greatest players in the history of
squash. Having Jonah Barrington guiding me throughout my
career made it even bigger for me because I wanted to
try and put my name on the trophy beside his.
"Having already won it takes some pressure off me but as
an athlete and a competition you want to win everything
and I definitely want to see my name on that trophy a
few more times."
"It will be good to be back in Hull, Dr Allam has been
supporting our sport over the past few years and does a
great job making us feel comfortable during the
competition and we are all thankful for the support he
gives us."
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Massaro relishing 2016 British
challenge
Women’s World No.1 Laura Massaro, the 32-year-old
from Preston, is looking forward to going into this
year’s 2016 Allam British Open at the Airco Arena, Hull
as the tournament top seed as she bids to win the
illustrious ‘Wimbledon of Squash’ for the second time .
 Massaro
became the first Englishwomen in 22 years to win the
Allam British Open when she defeated Nicol David to take
the title when the tournament made its debut in Hull in
2013. Three years on she is hoping for a repeat
performance this March.
"Winning the Allam British Open in 2013 was huge for
me,” said Massaro. "To beat Nicol David, who was then
No.1, in front of a home crowd in my first ever British
Open final is something that I will never forget.
 "Once
you get on court you only focus on playing squash but
when the crowd get behind the British players,
especially in the latter stages, and become more vocal
it really does give you an incredible boost and, as a
player, it is a feeling that is hard to replicate at any
other tournament in the world.
"That 2013 win was unexpected and exciting but I feel
capable of winning this year also. Having two British
Open title would be very, very special. My focus is on
playing my best and doing everything I can to make it
happen.”
"I’ll be the top seed this year and it’s a pleasure and
a privilege to be number one but there are so many
players with the talent and ability to go all the way
that I know I can’t take anything for granted."
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Matthew eyes up a Fourth British
Nick Matthew is hoping a change of date for the
2016 British Open will help him in his quest to win the
sport's most prestigious title as the tournament returns
to its traditional March slot.
 The
2006, 2009 and 2012 champion is the most decorated
Englishman ever to play the sport after a sparkling
18-year career, and won a record 8th British Nationals
title in February.
"This year, with the event taking place in March, I
think that changes the dynamic a little," said Matthew.
"At 35, trying to peak for a May event at the end of the
season was maybe taking too much out of me in the last
couple of seasons so hopefully it coming earlier is of
benefit to me. When I was growing up, the tournament was
always in the Easter week and I used to go down in the
school holidays and watch 3-4 days of the event so
hopefully that change is a good omen for me.
"I believe I still have the quality to compete and win
major titles and I'm still hungry, which you have to be
if you want to compete. But you need to be smart as well
and adapt. I have the quality but maybe not the quantity
so this year I'm not pushing myself to play in every
tournament like I have done in past years. You have to
continually evolve as a player and that's been at the
forefront of my mind this season."
 "I've
won the British Open three times and the win in 2006 was
a real breakthrough for me because I wasn't considered a
top contender at that point".
"The history and tradition of the tournament is next to
none, so to win when I wasn't a contender, and for that
to be my first major tournament win, was surreal. I feel
very fortunate that I've been able to win it since and
join that history. It was a huge boost for me, it gave
me the belief that I could win major tournaments.
There's nothing better than winning the British Open as
your first major event.
"Along with the World Championship, the British Open
is the one you really target every year."
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Ashour targets return at British
 Three
time World Champion Ramy Ashour is hoping his
injury nightmare will soon be behind him as he aims to
return to competitive action at the prestigious 2016
Allam British Open
The current World No.5 from Egypt has grappled with
injury over the past two years and has made just a
handful of appearances since his 2014 World Championship
victory, where he marked his return from a six-month
absence to lift the sport’s biggest prize.
After
winning the NetSuite Open in his first tournament of the
2015/16 season, injury curtailed his participation in
his next two events at the Delaware Investments US Open
and 2015 World Championship and he has been out of
action in the three months since.
 However, Ashour is hopeful that his latest attempts at
rehabilitation will prove fruitful as he looks to win a
first British Open crown since 2013.
"I have been working hard over the past few months to
recover from my injuries and I hope to be able to
compete at the Allam British Open later this month,"
said Ashour.
"Winning the tournament in 2013 was a special moment for
me and fingers crossed I can compete in that great event
again in a few weeks."
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TODAY at the British Open |
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