Runa Reta - WISPA Squash Pro on Tour on www.squashtalk.com

Jonathon Power turned over the PSA mantle to Amr Shabana in 2006 (Photo ©D Tessier )

This past year has proven to be a hugely entertaining time for both mens and womens squash. Other than Shabana and David, who have held fast to their #1 positions at years end, exciting shifts and developments have occurred throughout 2006.

Draws were more competitive than ever, upsets were ubiquitous, there were shifts and surges up and down the rankings, and with players unexpectedly drifting in and out of form, it was nearly impossible to guess who would emerge as victor from one event to the next.

Possibly the most exciting development this year (in my opinion) was the explosion onto the scene of two young players: Ramy Ashour and Tenille Swartz. Their fearless and uninhibited styles of play have caught the attention of everyone around them; competitors hope to avoid these giant-killers early on in draws, while spectators eagerly anticipate these match-ups and hope to catch glimpses of these rising stars (who seem to pack the stands every time they step on court). These two have exceptional talent, and are bound continue making headlines in coming years.

But while it is exciting to see these players carrying the game forward with a new, youthful energy, we should also take time to properly acknowledge the highly accomplished men and women who made the difficult decision to retire from the professional ranks this year. Over the past decade, these individuals- who were all mainstays in the world top 10- played a significant role in carrying and shaping the game into what it is today. For all that they have given to our game, their absence will leave a noticeable void in 2007; one that will not be easily filled, even by our promising youngsters.

CANADA'S POWER CALLS IT A DAY HIS WAY

Jonathon Power: Always inventive, always creative, always thinking. (Photo ©D Tessier )

On the mens side, Jonathan Power was the first to retire in March, to the shock of the entire squash community. He had surprised everyone by getting back into top form in 2005, winning 5 titles along the way. In the March 2006 rankings, Power accomplished the unbelievable: he regained the #1 ranking- 4 years after the last time he sat at that position (and at the age of 32, moreover). And then he did the even more unthinkable: he called it quits two days later. The unexpected nature of his retirement (having told very few people beforehand) was wholly in character with his unpredictable and highly entertaining personality.

With 32 PSA titles, a World Open title, and a Commonwealth Gold medal under his belt, he retired with little else to prove, and with the final word on how he would be remembered: as the top player of his sport. Indeed, Power will be remembered as being one (if not the) most highly gifted and inventive players to have ever graced the game of squash. The level of deception and innovation that the top men play with today is a direct result of the (unconventional) path that he forged over the last decade.

PETER NICOL: SCOTLAND'S SQUASH LEGEND

Peter Nicol: The ultimate effort. (Photo ©D Tessier )

Peter Nicol - in a move that could not have contrasted more starkly with Jonathan’s- hinted early on that he would retire in 2006, and then publicly set the exact date of his retirement to follow the World Open in Egypt (with the intention of winning that title as well as the English Open leading up to it). Though he was unsuccessful in his bid to win in Sheffield and Cairo, he competed admirably throughout the year, and will go down as being one of the most highly respected and accomplished squash players in the game’s history.

With 49 titles, 46 caps for his country (England that is!), a whopping 150 months (over 12 years) in the top 10 and an unbelievable 60 months as world #1, Peter Nicol is pure legend. His gold medal win at the 2006 Commonwealth Games will stay in my mind as the gutsiest and most inspiring performances I have ever witnessed in squash. The admiration that all of his coaches and colleagues have for him is evident; his achievements and contributions to the sport will be long remembered.

Together, these two world #1’s had a huge impact on the game, shaping and redefining it into a wholly different, more dynamic sport. Their memorable rivalry helped boost the game’s profile and lend a real element of excitement that was missing up until then. Their presence on tour will be sorely missed, but they can rest assured that they have solidified their place among the best that ever played this sport.

Peter Nicol & Jonathon Power: Linked together in their rivalry and their excellence (Photo sequence ©Debra Tessier )

While Power and Nicol grabbed much of the headlines, two other PSA players of exceptional class - Mark Chaloner and Simon Parke– also decided to step down and retire this year.

MARK CHALONER: IRONMAN
Chaloner, the PSA President, was a member of the England national squad (including the 1995 team where England won the World title for the first time), took home two Commonwealth Games medals and achieved a career high ranking of 7. Having the wherewithal to remain in the top ranks of a grossly competitive mens circuit for over a decade is a huge accomplishment in itself, and should be a source of great pride for Mark as he leaves the professional game to take up a more relevant position behind the scenes of the sport.

SIMON PARKE, ALWAYS RUNNING ONE STEP FURTHER
Simon Parke, another Englishman, decided recently to hang up the racquet for good after a brilliant career that started back in 1990 when he won the World Junior title. Since then, he played on numerous (winning) national teams, was English #1, won the British Open and US Open titles, and subsequently achieved a career high world #3 ranking (behind Power and Nicol). Fondly referred to as Parkey, he will be remembered for having a ridiculously high threshold for pain, and a stubborn streak that allowed him to keep pushing and running on court to the point of absurdity.

It is this level of single-minded focus and determination that makes champions. It is also what gets people through life and ensures survival in the toughest times. When he contracted testicular cancer in 1995, Parke was resolved to overcome the illness and return to the tour, which he did in an unbelievable 5 months. It is assured that Simon will be missed not only for his incredible work ethic, but also for his great character and sense of humour. (I still have an image in my mind of Simon walking through the Ritz hotel in Qatar in a dress shirt tucked into a pair of old track/wind-pants…whether he was setting a new trend or just taking the piss, I’m still not sure!) His name certainly ranks among the greats of this past decade.

THE WISPA RETIREES
On the ladies side, two highly accomplished English women- Fiona Geaves and Linda Elriani – pulled their names off the WISPA rankings this summer after years of competing in the top ranks and amassing countless accolades.

FIONA: THOSE HANDS

Fiona Geaves: 19 years in the top-twenty. (Photo © Stocktonphoto )

Fiona, who has now taken up a coaching job at the Heights Casino in Brooklyn, will be remembered for having some of the best hands in the game; at any given point, from any part of the court, Geaves could slot in the softest of boasts, drops or lobs that would leave her opponents scrambling to retrieve. In contrast to the high-level pace and sheer physicality of the other top players, Fi played a completely different, more cerebral style of game that was wholly her own. It was a style that proved hugely successful, as she spent an unthinkable 19 years in the top 20, picked up two Commonwealth medals, a national title, and captained numerous English national teams to World Team titles. In 2006, at 38 years old, she was still playing high quality squash and beating those far younger than her, which is a testament to her talent as a player.

As a person, she was equally enjoyable to talk to and share a laugh with- on a tour where squash can become the single obsessive focal point for players, Fiona had the experience and perspective to understand that there is a broader world that exists beyond the confines of the court. It was refreshing to have that kind of wisdom to draw on at tournaments, and it is clear that she will continue to pass on her great experience and knowledge of the game to those fortunate enough to work with her in Brooklyn.

LINDA ELRIANI: COMPETITIVE INTENSITY, OFF COURT EASE

Another great loss of talent and wisdom on the WISPA tour comes from Fiona’s close friend Linda Elriani, who retired over the summer to take up residence in Greenwich on a coaching job. After 16 years on tour, Linda had over 70 caps for England, won 14 WISPA titles, a Commonwealth bronze, was National Champion in 2005 and spent a remarkable 86 months (over 7 years) in the top 10. With a career high world ranking of 3, Linda was in fact one of my favourite players to watch and learn from on tour. Always stepping on court with a specific strategy for every opponent, she was constantly thinking her way out of trouble and into winning positions, hitting the ball with astounding purpose and precision. Besides having some of the best defensive shots in the game (in particular, her lobs), her ability to recognize an offensive opportunity and roll balls out of the nick was incredible...as I found out firsthand!

In addition to her great skills on court, you could write just as many niceties about her off-court behaviour. Forever smiling and cheerful, Linda carried no airs and was probably the chattiest person around! While it is sometimes difficult to connect with other players, Linda emits a warmth of character that is immediate; it is a rare quality to find in a person, and one that will be sadly missed at events.

Both Fiona and Linda played with a class and style that went far beyond mindless hard-hitting and reacting (as we sometimes see with other players). Additionally, their approachable, down-to-earth personalities and overflowing wealth of experience (in squash and life) made them rare gems on the tour. They have left a noticeable void on the circuit, but there is no doubt that they will continue to leave their mark on the game through their respective coaching positions.

Seeing these highly decorated players retire has not been easy for me to watch; I can only imagine what they went through (emotionally) to arrive at the final decision to call it a day. For those who have never played competitive sport, it is difficult to truly understand the anguish that goes along with the decision to retire, because it is impossible to weigh the importance and significance that sport has on our lives. It is a sort of life-blood. It’s something we have done ever since we could remember, and in many ways, it’s all we know.

For these aforementioned players, they will try to think of a time when they didn’t have to get up and go to the gym or train on court, and they won’t be able to. They will think of the travel- memorizing airport codes, passport numbers, airplane food, airline outfits. They will think of all the destinations around the world they have traveled to- Egypt, Australia, Qatar, Hong Kong, Brazil, Bermuda, Malaysia, India. They will think of the wonderful people they have met from all over, whom they have formed lasting relationships with and have shared intimate experiences with. They will think of the venues and the excitement of playing in front of packed crowds in concert halls, on islands, in front of the pyramids, in malls, on harbours. They will think of the exhilaration of winning, and the feeling of being on top of the world after taking home a big title. They will think of taking pictures, signing autographs, accepting awards, and being recognized as a special talent (a distinguishing factor from everyone else). They will think of the court-sprints, ghosting, morning runs, 400’s on the track, bike sprints and hill training, in the rain, sleet and snow, and they will recall the incomparable feeling of deep satisfaction after having accomplished every one of those grueling workouts. They will think of making their own hours, calling their own shots and dedicating themselves day in and day out to a passion that they have had for as long as they can remember. They will think of the dream life that they have led, and the uncertainties of what lies ahead once that dream ceases to be. If you could imagine all of these elements, you could begin to have an idea of some of the things that Jonathan, Peter, Mark, Simon, Fiona and Linda have had to consider in their decision to retire. It is not an enviable task, but each has handled the process with grace and courage.

As it turns out, all six of these players have decided to remain closely connected to the game through coaching, exhibitions and business ventures, thus showing that squash remains an integral part of their identities- not something they can simply detach themselves from entirely. As they fade out of the spotlight and take up positions behind the scenes of our sport, I hope that they can walk away without any regrets and with their heads held high. I hope that they take pride in knowing that they have had truly brilliant careers, and that they have left indelible marks on the game. And I hope that they recognize that their achievements and rare excellence as athletes and human beings will not fade from our memories anytime soon. We wish them the best of luck as they move into this new phase of their lives, and thank them for their presence in the game. …