FEATURE belongs to Glasgow

Richard Eaton looks back at squash’s journey through the since its debut in 1998 and forward to this summer’s Games in Glasgow

t was a kazam moment. When squash earned two gold medals for Australia, “It was tough to hear some of the made its Commonwealth Games debut though her words were unusually things being said,” Nicol admitted. “I feel Iin in 1998, it did more passionate. After beating her top-seeded sad that I had to do it. It was something I than pass through a new door. compatriot, Sarah Fitz-Gerald, 9-0, 9-6, shouldn’t have had to do.” It entered a new world, which carried 9-5 to win the women’s singles and It started a hard final four years for images of squash to millions more partnering to the mixed Nicol. By contrast, Fitz-Gerald made these people. It was full of mind-opening doubles title, she commented: “I’ve won Games a suitable climax to a career possibilities. People could see how it the world title and the British Open, but which had only a few months to run. could lead to another, bigger step – to the this rates higher than all of them.” The popular Australian filled the only Olympics. Hunt’s view became the prevailing significant space in her trophy cabinet by Successful sports were increasingly one. “This has been absolutely fantastic,” winning 9-5, 9-0, 2-9, 9-8 against Carol globalised and television from Malaysia he said. “It’s been seen by millions. It’s Owens, a former compatriot by now showed this was happening more to never happened before. It should do a representing New Zealand. There had squash too. , then Australia’s great deal for the sport to become an been no death threats for her. coach, identified this first. Olympic discipline.” ‘Fitz’ began as if her volleying would blow Owens away. Eventually, though, her takes ower got his gold and his atonement victory depended on hanging in and a tumble in a hotly- by beating Nicol 9-4, 4-9, 9-3, 9-0 preventing a fifth game as Owens contested final won by Pin the final in Manchester in 2002, remembered how to slow her down. in squash’s but not everyone realised the angst which Owens won a bronze for Australia in Kuala Commonwealth Games may have contributed to Nicol’s defeat. Lumpur, but now said: “Silver for New debut in Kuala Lumpur He had recently changed from Zealand is definitely better.” in 1998 representing to and Nicol kept his preferences to himself. with the Games located only a hundred The Anglo-Scot did, however, strike gold miles or so from the border, it was easy for England with in the men’s for the outraged to confront him with their doubles. But they only did so after a feelings. semi-final which became so ugly that they Some regarded his defection as and the two Australians, David Palmer unforgivable. Nicol was called a traitor to and Paul Price, had to be separated as his face and one source alleged he even they squared up. received death threats. International Olympic Committee The front page of The Times headlined observers witnessing these and other it as “Scotland serves up England winner”. incidents told the World Squash Not immediately it didn’t and after the Federation that they would not sit well final The Scotsman enjoyed counter- with the Olympics. Soon afterwards a headlining “Peter Nicol’s shotgun marriage three-person refereeing system was to St George remains unconsummated”. introduced to reduce arguments. He was beaten by a Power showing There were lighter moments. Chris It was spotted quickly too by Canadian uncharacteristic restraint. Gone were Walker, the England captain, was settling Jonathon Power, who won a silver medal extravagant strokes and the histrionics. his nerves on the toilet shortly before and decided immediately that he must He wanted it so much he was prepared to being introduced to the Queen, only for win gold next time. The Commonwealth grind out the win. Her Majesty to appear early. She had to Games had suddenly become, he Nicol was exhausted well before the be kept talking! The scribes were talking realised, the most important tournament end – evidence, he believed, that without too. “Walker sits on the throne and keeps in the sport. England’s world-class performance the Queen waiting”, one wrote. Its profile was aided by Power and programme his body would not survive at Peter Nicol playing one of the most the top. here were few more eye-catching memorable of their 50-odd matches in stories than ’s the men’s singles final. The well- Peter Nicol is exhausted after Jonathon Power gets Trecord-breaking three gold medals as organised Scot edged out the his revenge in the 2002 final in Manchester part of her honeymoon in Brisbane in unpredictably gifted Canadian 3-9, 9-2, 2006. 9-1, 2-9, 9-2 in a tempestuous The Australian was not the world’s encounter which forcefully projected their best player, nor even the second best, but contrasting temperaments and styles. after marrying Tommy Berden, the Dutch Power provided the most exhilarating player, she performed as if she were. squash and the most exasperating Grinham overcame , the moments, creating collisions, arguing with world no.1, 9-10, 9-7, 4-9, 9-6, 9-3 in the referee and conjuring a melodrama the semi-finals, beat elder sister Rachael which divided opinion. So much was at (soon to become the world champion) 2- stake that it roused the normally 9, 9-6, 9-1, 9-2 in the final and then undemonstrative Nicol to anger. “It was teamed up with her to win the women’s too much today – his racket almost hit my doubles. She completed the astonishing head,” he complained. hat-trick in the mixed doubles with Joe It was quieter as Kneipp.

14 THE SQUASH PLAYER FEATURE

Chris Walker meets the “I took a while to understand what close to an Olympic place. Another fine Queen in 2002 happened to me last time. There are spectacle in Glasgow could bring that still after keeping many things I’ve taken from it. I’m better closer. her waiting mentally.” Squash has shown in four while sitting on There were memorable emotions for Commonwealth Games that it sits well in his ‘throne’! too as he won “the most this multi-sport atmosphere. A fifth could important thing of my career so far” in the show it is ready for greater things. men’s singles. The “so far” was significant, as the triumph became a “Love and marriage,” Kneipp shouted Nicol David at her. Natalie giggled but shook her harbinger of three world titles. He succeeded with an 11-6, 11-7, celebrates her head, claiming: “I never had expectations victory in Delhi – I was just happy to be out there.” But 11-7 win over , which was her comment suggested Kneipp wasn’t far more of a surprise than it seemed, as off the mark. Matthew had begun the tournament Rachael thought similarly. “Natalie recovering from illness. hadn’t had many wins in the last 12 Afterwards, he won another gold, in months as she’d been planning the the men’s doubles with Adrian Grant, and wedding,” she said. “She wasn’t relaxed, paid tribute to a retired hero. “Four years but after the wedding it all fell off her ago a legendary English player, Peter shoulders. And when she’s relaxed and Nicol, got two golds and I’ve been trying playing her game, she can beat anyone.” to emulate him,” he said. “I can’t top this,” Natalie said. “I’d “Two gold medals is an amazing better retire right now.” In fact, her best feeling and doubles is so different from years were still to come. singles. It’s all about camaraderie. You The result was fateful for the women’s almost feel your racket isn’t attached to game. David had been the strong your arm – you are just doing it for your favourite and the intensity of Malaysian partner.” criticism for her failure helped convince her to base herself thousands of miles espite Matthew’s enthusiasm, a away in Amsterdam. question mark hangs over doubles The men’s singles provided the Devents. As a spectacle, they have climactic career finish Nicol had hoped not been great. for. He won the gold medal again after an It is nevertheless true that doubles eight-year interval, this time with a rose successes in Delhi for , who as his badge instead of a thistle. English won three medals, and , who sports science had indeed prolonged his won two, helped catapult the Australian career and a few more people accepted and the New Zealander into the limelight it, even if they didn’t like it. for the first time and suggested they may Nicol succeeded with an extremely be a force in Glasgow this summer. hard-fought win by 9-5, 10-8, 4-9, 9-2 Since then media coverage has over Palmer, who had not been well. continued to grow and players Victory underlined the Briton as the 21st are more aware that century’s most consistent player thus far. the sport may be avid made amends by capturing the only major title missing from Dher collection with an 11-3, 11- 5, 11-7 win over at Delhi in 2010. It purged the long- lasting pain after that Brisbane failure, which had been life- altering. “It’s a great relief,” she admitted, even though she had by then been no.1 for 55 months.

The extravagant opening ceremony at Delhi in 2010

THE SQUASH PLAYER