SquashTalk> Columns> The Spin > The Postponement of the US Open [last update was 15-sep-01 ]

How the US Open 2001 Came to be Cancelled

AN AGONIZING TWO DAYS © 2001 SquashTalk.com
by Ron Beck (Ron Beck is the editor of SquashTalk and spent five years on the WPSA pro tour)

The US Open Squash Tournament was postponed on Thursday, minutes before it was scheduled to begin play. Tournament organizer John Nimick, whose decision left him in concert with most major sports organizations in the USA (see Globe headline above), worked with his colleague Melissa Winstanley to personally contact all of the event ticketholders about the postponement. Virtually all of the ticketholders decided to retain their tickets in view of a possible rescheduling of the event.

THE TIMELINE
For those looking at the event from afar, including some in the Squash online world who sensationalized the decisionmaking process, it was easy to look in and second guess the difficult process that the players, organizers, spectators and citizens of Boston found themselves in. But this was by no means an easy decision, involving complex emotions, thoughts, and a rapidly evolving chain of national events.

For John Nimick, Melissa Winstanley, the tournament committee, and the USSRA the decision process was a torturous one filled with tradeoffs. They had worked to create the event --- now they faced dismantling it.

Tuesday 10:00AM --- TENTATIVE START

Sharon Bradey-Head Coach at Harvard Club

The US Open qualifying tournament got underway Tuesday, literally as the terrorist activity in the USA was unfolding. The qualifying players meeting --- at which time PSA qualifying draws are by PSA rules always made --- took place just as the world trade center was in the process of collapse. At that point, little information was available, especially inside the rarified Harvard Club, and qualifying matches proceeded throuughout Tuesday afternoon.

By that point, it was clear that all travel had stopped throughout the USA and that while some of the contestants were in Boston already (and are now likely stranded there until well into next week, totally on their own for expenses) seven of the main contestants had not arrived. As it turned out, John White's flight had left him stranded in Moncton Quebec, in a hangar with several thousand other travelers -- more on his journey later.

Tuesday Night --- TRAGIC DAYS

Stefan Casteleyn and Stewart Boswell

By that point, it was also clear that the extent and magnitude of the tragedy unfolding was large and the impact growing, and the fallout wordwide. For everyone in Boston that was especially clear. The passengers on the two hijacked Boston flights were the first casualties of the event to be publicly indentified and listed --- it included one resident of my town, a local CEO and others. And it was clear that the hijackers had originated in Boston --- the Boston high-rises were evacuated and the Symphony Hall and Public Library were closed.

The US Open team struggled to determine what to do. The signals were complex and the "right" answer elusive --- many in the squash community locally felt that the right thing to do, following President Bush's lead was to show that the country was "open for business". The players were present and ready to play, though horrified and affected by the events. The first day's qualifiers drew the usual strong crowd at the Harvard Club, especially for home town favorite Mark Lewis.

On Wednesday, John Nimick cancelled the second day qualifiers, out of respect for the events of the day. Many local sporting events were going on --- school and college sports contests, some tennis competitions, and the like. By Wednesday night, the US Open committee had decided to proceed with the event, with a changed draw, but to donate all proceeds from the event toward rescue and relief efforts in New York.

Wednesday Night --- THE TIME FOR PRAYER

Mark Chaloner and Derek Ryan played their match for practice.

By Thursday morning, John was pretty sure he was going to cancel the event. He asked me to hold off on releasing a press release he had prepared regarding donation of the proceeds. He was waiting to hear more details about the National Day of Prayer and Reflection that President Bush had announced. He had also had some time to get outside of the many details of the event he had been struggling with to see more of what was happening in Boston. A prayer vigil was held in the open air in Boston Thursday afternoon. John and the US Open committee decided to postpone the event.

The players arrived at the Harvard Club and Boston Racquet Club to play the opening matches at Noon Thursday. They were told that the event was now cancelled. For the players, it was an odd anticlimax. Most of them got on court and played practice games. Chris Walker and Viktor Berg gave an impromptu exhibition at the brand new Boston Racquet Club.

Johnny White's Travels
... At about that point, John White walked in to the Harvard Club looking more than a little wiped out. His filght from Europe had been diverted to a small airfield at Moncton, New Brunswick. There, he stayed with a few thousand other passengers at an airline hanger, with minimal amenities. He knew he was expected in Boston and that the Tournament was still scheduled to go forward. After renting a car, he drove for over nine hours to reach Boston. When he arrived --- he found out he had received a great draw, but that the event had just been cancelled...

Thursday 3:00 PM --- PLAYERS REMAIN STRANDED IN BOSTON

John Nimick addresses the players concerns

At three, John met with the players. They learned that they were on their own --- with no event to play and the airport closed --- and therefore most players only able to get out of town to return to Europe by Sept 19th. But despite this uncertainty, Chris Walker spoke for many when he said that it was the "right answer at this time, John, you did the right thing."

But for the players who are struggling to make a living playing professional squash, the personal financial cost was high --- an expensive trip taken with no forseeable recompense. The struggling pros were left silent and uncertain.

John as a former pro player was understanding and sympathetic, but John too stood to have a substantial and non-recoverable personal loss out of the event for himself and his company, EventEngine. So John, the organizer was left having made a very appropriate decision but facing a financial bath; while the players were left feeling the correct thing had been done but also facing a financial loss. The US Open and local squash community did all it could, finding good accomodations for the players in private homes.

And at least one ticketholder, who had traveled from Mexico to attend the event, arrived on the scene only to find the matches cancelled -- disappointed but certainly understanding.

As the players, organizers, and fans reflected on the day's events, it was with a feeling of sadness for the world around them, relief of tension surround the difficult situation the tournament had presented, and circumspection. The players dispersed to have lunch.

Friday 9:00 AM --- US OPEN, RENEWED?
By Friday, John Nimick and Melissa Winstanley were working on possible new dates for the US Open and on the next event on the North American calendar --- The YMG Capital Classic in Toronto on November 18th.