Ramy 20-21_3 Column Left 08/11/2012 10:13 Page 1

FEATURE Ramy’s exorcism

In a wide-ranging interview, Egyptian genius talks to Alan Thatcher about his return to form, his challengers and his volatile home country

amy Ashour wants the world distracted during his quarter-final against final was sublime as he and Willstrop to know he has conquered his fellow Egyptian . battled shot for shot. This was the Ashour Rdemons and is ready to put his stop- Ashour sat outside the court between that everyone loved to see, diving all over start career into overdrive once again. games and threw every racket out of his the court and parading his genius in The upheaval caused by the Egyptian bag as he searched for one with a grip to flamboyant style. Willstrop gave uprising has mirrored the turmoil in his liking. everything, but it was the Egyptian who Ashour’s squash life. Now he’s planning a It was painful to watch and Ashour powered past the top seed to face Nick revolution of his own, with the aim of admitted that he went to pieces if his Matthew in the final. overthrowing those currently in power racket grip felt anything less than perfect. Once again, though, the demons took above him to return to the top of the PSA He said: “I keep changing rackets over and the winners that had flowed rankings. because the grip is very important to me. from his racket against Willstrop were Ashour, now 25, is one of the most If the grip is not right, it stops me playing replaced by mistakes, an astonishing popular players ever to pick up a squash the way I want to. I need the grip to be average of six tins per game, as Matthew racket. Breezing through life with a smile just right. I don’t have a very good record powered past him in straight games to on his face, playing a carefree brand of with the racket companies.” collect his third British Open title. squash that defied coaching conventions, Ashour had surrendered a two-game At the end of the match Ashour went he won the World Open at the age of 21 lead as Shabana hit back to take it to walkabout and was late for the in 2008. five. The knock-up had lasted longer than presentation ceremony. Slicing, chopping, flicking and floating the fourth game, which Ashour lost 11-1. Earlier in the week, he had scraped the ball, he mesmerised his opponents Astonishingly, Ashour recovered his past Spaniard Borja Golan and admitted and a growing army of adoring followers composure to win the fifth 11-4 to set up he was “mentally all over the place”. with his mind-blowing flashes of genius. a semi-final with and After beating Shabana, he added: A career landscape appeared to be “There are a lot of crazy things going on in unfolding, with Ashour dominating the my head. I am not quite sane. Maybe I men’s game for years to come. He was all am too emotional.” set to be the new Jahangir, the ‘King of Ashour, like Shabana, has yet to have The Court’, conqueror of every territory. I asked “the demons his name engraved on the British Open It hasn’t quite turned out that way, trophy, but he ended a similar hoodoo by though. Fitness problems and a to go away claiming his first U.S. Open title in succession of injuries seemed to have October. diluted his energy. He seemed to be Hopefully, this will provide the suffering from lapses in concentration and springboard for Ashour to return to his too often we saw a confused frown imperious best. replacing the smile. deny Shabana maybe” his last chance of a Having beaten Matthew in the semi- His behaviour during the British Open British Open title. finals and Gregory Gaultier in the final, he in May was extraordinary. He was clearly Ashour’s performance in the semi- claimed he had overcome his emotional

20 THE SQUASH PLAYER Ramy 20-21_3 Column Left 08/11/2012 10:13 Page 2

FEATURE

turmoil. I asked him if he had sought any He answered: “Definitely, he is playing achievements so far, but more is yet to help and he responded: “I just asked the very well. And I am sure fatherhood is come.” demons kindly to go away. They listened. inspiring him. We are close friends, and I With so many good young Egyptians The mind is a powerful thing and it’s am really happy for Greg and that things rising to the top of the rankings, it seems amazing how many things can be at the moment are moving for him in the certain that Ashour and his compatriots achieved when you put your head down right direction.” will be dominating the game in the next and fully concentrate on something.” Ashour’s bright start to the season few years. It was a typically enigmatic answer followed a period of rest and recuperation He said: “Any Egyptian making it into from an enigmatic performer. before he began to prepare for the the charts has made a huge effort. It is He was delighted with his current campaign, with his sights set hard for Egyptians, as they get very performances throughout the U.S. Open, firmly on the Open and limited support and its 90 per cent from overcoming a variety of challenges posed another World Open title in in their own perseverance and the support by Saurav Ghosal, and December. of their families, as well as their natural Peter Barker before meeting Matthew. He said: “I rested for a while after the talent. He said: “The level at which squash British Open and then started to work and “This is one of the reasons I professionals compete is getting harder establish a good base for the tough established the Inspire Squash Academy, every day, with players bringing to the season. I also spent some quality time as I am trying to make it easier for court their own unique identity and game with my friends and family, as I don't get talented, young Egyptians to make it technique. This high quality of game is to see them much during the season. through with fewer hurdles. good for the competition itself and the “A main highlight of the summer was “I just love being among these bright audience.” travelling to London in preparation of the and genuine kids. They really do inspire Featuring in videos and posters to Squash 2020 Olympic bid presentation me every day. I am working on promote the event, Ashour was video with , who is an amazing programmes and events with my Inspire impressed by the standards set by the ambassador for the game. So that was team and we should be hosting camps U.S. Open at Drexel University. exciting and something I am passionate next summer (2013) for the first time and He added: “This year it was very well about, and very happy to be part of. announcing that officially very soon.” marketed and in my opinion there should “Looking ahead to the season, the Looking at challenges from different be an annual award for the best World Open draw looks like a tough one and parts of the globe, Ashour added: tournament of the year – as voted by the so in training I am just working hard and players. trying to learn from past mistakes. I know I “This way, tournaments that really stand out, like this one, will be recognised for their amazing effort. I was I love my country really impressed with everything from “ the early preparations to the organisation of the event itself. “For me, it’s really good to win such a big tournament and taking the cup for “Challengers from” all nationalities are . I am looking forward to coming very strong, with a new wave of players back next year, especially as I have really threatening those at the top all the heard it’s getting bigger, which will be way. really good.” “I am always fascinated by the The turbulent nature of the PSA stories behind the success of any player. World Tour meant that Ashour did not In all honesty, I am happy when any remain in America to play in the player, male or female, regardless of in San Francisco, in their country of birth, comes up and which Gaultier beat Matthew in the final. takes over the front seat, as it’s great He explained: “Unfortunately, I don't competition and amazing for the game in have the luxury of playing too many general.” tournaments in the same year and have With Egypt still engulfed in a volatile had to become more selective in political situation, Ashour has posted participation. Specific to this several thought-provoking comments on tournament, I was scheduled to play in Twitter about life in and his just days before, but that got must train well if I am to do my best.” frequent visits to Tahrir Square to join the cancelled at the last minute. With Willstrop clearly having adapted protests. “With Greg winning, it sure is great for his game to reach no.1 in the world, I I asked him how he felt the nation the game to see important trophies being wondered if Ashour might be planning a was coping after the revolution. He said: similar overhaul. His answer was more “I love my country and will always be diplomatic than enlightening. These proud to represent it. We are struggling at squash players clearly don’t like to give the moment and I feel for the less too much away. fortunate people, as the revolution was More is “yet to come He said: “I respect James a lot and I basically raised to help them and now am truly proud to have him as no.1 in the they are the ones suffering the most. squash world. He is a great representative “Everyone who loves the country is and ambassador for the game, and such a only hoping for a better Egypt. I just hope modest, genuine person. that the people in power now care about shared around. We” are judged on our “I am doing my best to get back to the disadvantaged more than their own performance and being recognised for the top, I am enjoying my squash at the benefits.” doing well is what it is all about.” moment and am always glad and excited Let’s hope Ashour’s own revolution I wondered if Ashour was seeing a to challenge the world's best squash brings about the changes he so more disciplined approach from Gaultier. players. I am proud of my overall desperately seeks. THE SQUASH PLAYER 21