All I Want For X-Mas ...
Views and News about Squash by Ryan Barnett,
Dec 20, 2003  © 2003 SquashTalk and Ryan Barnett.
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As we all know Santa doesn’t play favorites. Or does he? With the holiday season upon us it’s time to determine who was naughty and who was nice. Squash Talk recently caught up with ole St. Nick and managed to get the inside scoop as to what a few of the players could find stuffed inside their stockings Christmas morning. Santa says,

Natalie Grainger, photo © 2003 Fritz Borchert

Natalie Grainger has been a very good girl. She has been and continues to be a great ambassador for women’s squash and is really working hard at growing the sport in the United States. For these reasons coupled with her racket skill she deserves something special. Perhaps the #1 WISPA ranking should Carol Owens retire?

Another young lady that has caught my eye is England’s Tania Bailey. This lass definitely needs a bit of good fortune sent her way. 2003 was quite a struggle for Tania, being hampered by a breathing/nasal problem. It was painful to watch someone with such potential being forced to withdraw or exit early from tournaments. Her perseverance and dedication to the sport have not gone unnoticed and as a result I see Tania getting back on track and having some great results in 2004.

Boy the years sure do fly by. It wasn’t that long ago that I left a Barbie doll in Nicol David’s stocking. It appears that she has now come of age. Santa gave the Malaysian “pocket rocket” her present a little early this year. Confidence! Nicol now has it and knows she can compete at the top of the women’s game provided she continues to train hard and doesn’t burn herself out.

Well let’s see here. Hmmm I know I have it somewhere. Yes here it is. Peter Nicol’s letter. Shall I read it for you?

Dear Santa,
For the most part I have everything I could possibly ever want. Squash has been very, very good to me. Once again I enjoyed myself on the PSA tour and managed to remain at #1 for 2003. Unfortunately I recently got sick in Doha and came up against a fired-up Italian in Pakistan and as a result January of 2004 will see my ranking drop. With parity having arrived in men’s squash I’m going to need something extra special to help me get back to the top spot. Any help from your end would be much appreciated.
Peter

Well isn’t that nice…Peter has always been the true professional. An honest player, who works hard and plays even harder. For these reasons I think a new flavor of Green Magic should appear under Peter’s tree. God knows he must be ready for a change. He has all the tools and still has the wheels to remain a force on the tour. In a recent conversation with my buddy Father Time we both agreed, he still has some good years left.

Now what shall I do for Jonathon Power? Actually he has been quite well behaved this past year. JP continues to be one of the great personalities on the men’s tour and I was saddened that his season came to an abrupt halt when he broke his hand. Nonetheless what to give to someone who has practically everything? How about his own clothing line? Nope he’s got that. Two months R&R will provide the necessary respite and this should see JP come back with a vengeance in 2004. Jonathon is still the most deceptive and remains one of the fastest players on the tour so the two things he needs most are…..Patience and Belief. A year injury free and some better luck in the major tournaments are heading his way as well.

Stewart Boswell photo © 2003 Debra Tessier

The Boz is someone who would also benefit from some good fortune this holiday season. Stewart Boswell’s presence has been absent from many tournaments due to injury. A nice fellow who possesses an outstanding stroke and technique saw him quickly climb the rankings. Santa feels that of all the super-talented Aussies presently running wild on the tour he’s the one to watch in ’04.

I could just go on and on however duty calls and I really must check in on the latest happenings in Pakistan. The World Open has provided more upsets then any tournament I can ever remember. Needless to say the gentleman that leaves with the title will no doubt believe Christmas has come early. Perhaps it indeed has.

Season’s Greetings to all.

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