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2006 - Another
Year
on
the PSA World Tour
Robert
Edwards, the Voice of Squash, recalls ... |
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 I
have just returned from another massive PSA success in Saudi
Arabia – I landed into Heathrow to fog – bustling crowds and
huge delays. Another six hours before I finally saw the lights of my
home, Dyffryn Marlais, and there to greet me were my wife, daughter
and brother (Sandy, Daniéle & Gerard ). Hugs – Kisses - champagne &
I was ready for Christmas to begin.
Then it only remained to write my last New Year's message to my many
friends from the world of Professional Squash ...
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Saudi - after the final
Nicol & Power, the rivalry
Simon Parke
Shaun & Katline's wedding
Joe & Margaret
Hilly & Menna
Ramy Ashour
Palmer & Gaultier
World title for Palmer
Shabana in Saudi
Nick Matthew
Ziad Al-Turki
Saudi shuttle ...
Robert & Jack Herrick
Heather & Jahangir
Shabana & Nicol,
some stories to tell ...
Bermuda Masters
Last title of the year
and #1 spot for Shabana
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And then they were gone
2006 saw the tour lose so many of its star players;
 It
all began with Jonathon Power retiring at the ToC in New York
after starting 2006 as the World No.1. We all wish him and his
lovely wife Sita a successful life after PSA. My only regret is that
he never gave me a chance to reverse that golf result in Qatar when
he had a “Lucky” day!! He was the best ever to come out of the
Americas. On his day he was unplayable.
 The
man that Jonathon chased all over the world – his great rival
Peter Nicol was to follow in Cairo at the World Open when half
of British squash flew out to say goodbye to the mighty man –
including Pat Nicol, his dad together with Andy Bunting, half of
England Squash & Tim Garner to name just some.
What a rivalry Peter & Jonathon had. Apparently
they played 43
matches, ending 22-21 to Peter. 149 games that ended 75/74 to
Jonathon. The points score was 1748/1707 to Jonathon. How tight was
that? A rivalry that stands up there with the Hunt / Barrington –
Jahangir / Jansher – Jansher / Dittmar eras.
 Just lately
Mark Chaloner and
Simon Parke decided to
hang up their rackets after glorious careers. Two players that
shared that bulldog determination that drove them to incredible
lengths on the court. No shot was dead with either of them – they
could recover balls from behind the gallery lights!! Honest – tough
and talented says it all for both of them. We will all miss you.
Peter, Jonathon, Parkie and Chip will be talked about and remembered
as long as squash is played. Good luck to you all – so pleased that
you are to stay in the game in your various ways.
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Weddings and Births
 I
will always regret that I could not be with David Palmer and Mel
for their wedding in Australia. Dave & Mel have been close
friends of mine for many years. I will always remember Dave calling
me from Aussie to say that Kayla had been
born and that mother & baby were fine. From the moment of her
birth Kayla melted the big tough Aussie Marine – it’s lovely to hear
him talking about her with such pride. Her birth stands head and
shoulders above his three British Open titles and his two World
Opens. Rightly so.
 When
Shaun Moxham, David’s coach, married the stunning Katline
Cauwels in Antwerp, I was there with my wife Sandy. It was the
loveliest wedding I have ever
attended – a stunning setting and a beautiful bride. An added
bonus to the fun time we had in Belgium was sharing David & Mel’s
flat with Joe Shaw and his gorgeous wife Margaret. I
am convinced that one of the factors that David has been so
successful is because of the people who have stood by his side – you
don’t get better than Joe & Shaun. Not bad guys for a couple of
Aussies!!
Yesterday
I had a surprise call from the original Bad Boy himself “Hilly” –
Anthony Hill - rang to say that he had just become a father to a
little boy, Yassin. I met Hilly in Cairo at the worlds this year,
when we had a little courtside chat in front of a huge live
audience. He had met the most wonderful lady and had found religion.
Whatever the reasons he was a happy man – congratulations to you
both on the birth of your first son – Hilly, I was touched that you
chose to ring me first from the squash world.
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Special Players of the Year
I have to mention two players who chose 2006 to blow us away with
some stunning results. Ramy Ashour and Gregory Gaultier.
 Ramy
is an Egyptian God in the making. A beautiful personality from a
lovely family. The first player to achieve two World Junior titles.
Ramy attacked the established stars with startling effect. His surge
up the rankings at such a young age is reminiscent of the mighty
Jansher Khan. I would ask Egypt to have some patience with him. He
is sensational BUT he is not the finished article yet. When he is he
could be something very special.
 Gregory
Gaultier shared the most wonderful World Open final of all time. His
match with David Palmer in the Giza desert, next to the Pyramids was
squash heaven. The match had everything – courage – pride – talent –
honour & charisma. I will never forget it. It reminded me of the
Mohammed Ali v Joe Frazier fights, when they nearly killed each
other. You have to say that Dave showed a massive heart and an
enormous resolve to guts his way to a second world open title –
fantastic stuff.
 I
have watched thousands of matches but that one is in my top three of
all time. The other two were David Palmer v John White, again for
the World Open title in Antwerp in 2002, and Rodney Martin v Brett
Martin in the quarters of the Worlds in Johannesburg, 1992. Squash
to die for. Greg stood out for me at the world open. He was
destroyed by the cruelty of the loss but he has come back to show
that he is definitely a man who could lead the world. We shared a
pool table together in Saudi Arabia – he is now chasing me hard for
the 2€ I owe him – no chance Greg. I will pay you when you are world
number one.
The 2006 World Open was hosted by Al-Ahram and I, together with
everyone connected with PSA, want to personally thank Mr Hegazzi
and our good friend Sawi for working miracles in front of the
most amazing backdrop to any sporting event in the world, the
Pyramids.
The Player of the year has to be Amr Shabana – he took the
title of World Number 1 when his best mate Jonathon Power retired &
he has been a fine World No. 1 ever since. Winning the Canadian
Classic, the Tournament of
Champions, the Bermuda Masters, the Hong Kong Open and finishing the
year with the Saudi International means that he will enter 2007 in
the top spot. Well deserved Amr. Certainly Egypt should recognise a
little more what he has achieved – he is the best player ever to
come out of the Middle East and that is quite a statement when I
think of some of the greats that Egypt has produced. Amr is for me
the Prince of Cairo.
England still produces some of the best players on the tour. For
some time I have spoken about the strengths of Nick Matthew
and finally in 2006 he became the first Englishman to win the
British Closed and the British Open titles. Sheffield has produced
some player in Nick, he is a real warrior of the courts with a
courageous heart. Well done Nick…… and for 2007, with the likes of
James Willstrop, Lee Beachill, Adrian Grant & Peter Barker etc
England has greater depth than any other nation.
 Thierry
Lincou has to be mentioned not only for his weddings (two
ceremonies I believe) but because he is such a perfect professional
and a true gentleman.
His dignity and quality make him a special player for me. A role
model for any aspiring sportsman and soon to be my fellow
Frenchman!!!!
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Promoters and PSA
 My
Promoter of the year has to be Ziad Al Turki for the Saudi
International. He has set new standards in prize money and his
support of the game. What a set of tournaments he has produced. If
ever there was an advert for Saudi Arabia it has to be the
production and execution of this event on the international sporting
calendar.
It is little wonder that Prince Abdul Aziz praised him so
highly during the Opening Ceremony. Though I must protest in the
name of fairness that he drove a Hummer and a Maserati during the
tournament & his Tournament Director roughed it with a golf cart!!!
Thanks from all of us Zi for all of your kindnesses &
considerations.
Jack Herrick – the Chairman &
cornerstone of PSA - told the audience in Saudi that the PSA tour
continues to grow and is enjoying its most healthy period ever.
Gawain Briars the Chief Officer of the Association claims that 2007
will reach new unscaled heights. These are good words to end 2006.
The Girls in the office – The PSA Angels, Sheila, Anna,
Cheryl, Lynne & Alison. Not always appreciated but I know their
worth. Thanks for all of your support when I have been at the
front!!
Heather Deayton recently stopped doing the Hong Kong Open
after many years of special events. A mum to all of the players, she
is adored by all who know her. Delighted to see that she is to
continue as a Vice President of the WSF. A special lady.
 On a personal note I want to thank “Cubs” (Steve Cubbins) and
Anas for their total support in assisting me in the Saudi
International. You went over & beyond the call of duty gentlemen and
I thank you both most sincerely - though Cubs was a little slow with
the tea in the mornings and Anas promised it wouldn’t rain!!! It was
fitting that our own “Frog” - Fram wrote that lovely article
about Saudi in her super Round Up Page.
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On to 2007
2007 – I can promise you some major surprises by a number of
promoters that I am working closely with. Certainly I am excited
about some new borders that we will cross and new mountains that we
will climb. Watch this space guys!!!
 On January the 26th Sandy, my brother Gerard & I will leave our
lovely home “Dyffryn Marlais” in West Wales for the last time
to move permanently to France where our new home “Manoir du Minez”
awaits us. It is an adventure that I embrace with all of my heart.
Maybe it will be the setting where I will eventually write that book
about my 22 years on the squash tour. The funny stories – the sad
ones – the real ones.
 In Bermuda at the 2007 World Open I will retire as the PSA
World Tour Technical Director. What a place to call it a day – with
Sandy, Daniéle & many of my friends from over the years making the
trip over, it will certainly be a very emotional time for me. What a
privileged 22 years it has been – I have rubbed shoulders with the
very best – I have friends in so many countries – I have shared so
many magic moments – more than any man deserves. I am truly blessed.
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Special Friends
Besides my closest friends, a Royal visitor and all of my mates on
the tour, I hope that the three men that I am on record as calling
the most influential since my father will be there to say goodbye,
as they have always been there for me.
 Hisham
Algosaibi – who was the Tournament Director of so many events in
Qatar. I was privileged to be his best man when he married Debbie.
He calls himself my big brother. He is a huge man who could teach
the world about the meaning of honour.
 Gerald Leeke - the man who started it all with the Leekes
Welsh Wizards – 5 Leekes Classics & the three best British Opens
ever staged. He taught me a great deal and was there for me at a
certain time when I needed a friend. Small on words – big on
actions. A friend for life.
 Jack Herrick talks more sense in five minutes than some men
in their lifetime. Our transatlantic calls – even on Christmas Day -
keep our friendship alive. PSA should thank God that they have him.
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 To all of you - & I am sure that
I have
missed some names out – I wish you a special New Year.
It has been my pleasure to spend time with you.
PSA World Tour
Technical Director |
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