Jonathon Power speaks up after his first match.

-- Ron Beck reporting © 1999 SquashTalk.com

JONATHON POWER IS TOTALLY RELAXED after his first match at this year's British Open. A crowd of reporters can't hide their curiousity from Jonathon. Who is this Canadian who seeks to grab the British Open crown away from home town favorite Peter Nicol? So much press has preceded Jonathon.

In Scottish papers, Peter Nicol has been getting all the press this week. A phenomenal amount of publicity has preceded the British Open to Aberdeen. Large photos of Peter Nicol and Ahmed Barada grace all the local dailies. Hundreds of local school children were brought in to see the local squash hero, and to cheer him on in his first match.

The press can't help it. Immediately they want to know about Jonathon's views on his readiness for the anticipated battle.

Jonathon speaks in his usual combination of candor and riddles. "I think I have been playing at about 50% of my capacity."  Jonathon tells us. "My shotmaking has been suspect" Jonathon says. He is satisfied with his fitness -- "about 80-90%." His nagging injuries aren't bothering him - "I've played my way through the season and now I'm just about feeling healthy. I just hope to get through the next week, and then I will have the off-season to get fit"  (of course the tournament of champions is coming up at the end of January).

"It's just my shotmaking I need to adjust now. I made it through my match with Nick Taylor simply on tactics - my shots were loose."  

A journalist pursues the line of discussion: "Jonathon - so you were playing at about 50% at the US Open, but you are telling us you are at 80% now? "

Jonathon reports, "Yeah I guess so, " - Jonathon grins - "you could say 80%. I've tried to take it easy this week. I went to Amsterdam and took three days off. I didn't want to come up to Aberdeen to early, with all the pressures of the British Open."

Journalist question to Jonathon: "... so you are saying you didn't go on the court for three days this week in Amsterdam???"

"...Well...," Jonathon grins just a bit, " I got on the court a bit, hit by myself, a practice game or two..."

"The Open is wide open this year," Jonathon predicts in closing, " -- five players could win it. Peter Nicol, myself, Barada who played great at Heliopolis, Parke who played great at the US Open last week, and Peter Marshall."

Jonathon is totally at ease and relaxed. He gives off a feeling of confidence. On court today, his shots may have been somewhat loose, but the focus was there. You could see it in his body language on court and in his eyes.

How do you feel about playing in Aberdeen, Peter Nicol's hometown?, Jonathon was asked. "It's alright," Jonathon said. "I haven't been in the UK much and its my first time in Aberdeen. I'll just keep quiet and let my game do the talking."