SUPER SERIES FINALS 2007

SOUVENIR NATIONAL CENTRE, MANCHESTER PROGRAMME £3 THURSDAY 9TH TO SUNDAY 12TH AUGUST 2007

AMR SHABANA DAVID PALMER

GREGORY GAULTIER

JAMES WILLSTROP

NICK MATTHEW

2007 ATCO SUPER SERIES FINALS WELCOME WELCOME TO THE 2007 ATCO SUPER SERIES FINALS

Following an unprecedented run of We are proud to welcome you to the presentations the Super Series Finals has ATCO Super Series Finals – Manchester changed hands to be promoted by Ziad Al- 2007 staged on the stunning all-glass Turki of the ATCO Group and Paul Walters show court at the National Squash Centre of internationalSPORTgroup™. This in Manchester. wonderful squash tournament pits the The Super Series Finals is without question world best eight players from the previous one of the most important events on the season’s PSA Super Series rankings into a men’s professional World Tour and we are unique format that, over the few days of fierce competition, thrilled to be promoting the championships provides the Super Series Finals Champion. as part of this seven-year agreement with PSA thanks and acknowledges the increasing support of the the Professional Squash Association. ATCO Group in mens professional squash, and we also owe Squash can not afford for a tournament as a debt to Manchester City Council for their late provision of the important as the Super Series Finals to be charismatic Sportcity squash venue for the finals. This venue is lost, and since the announcement that this synonymous with the best presentation in world squash and year’s event, originally scheduled to be held I am sure the ATCO Super Series Finals here this time will be in May at the Broadgate Arena in London, had been cancelled, no exception. we have been working very hard to put in place a solid and Finally, I hope that audiences who come to support the Finals sustainable platform from which the championships can prosper will see and appreciate the skills of the eight contenders. More of over the short, medium and long-term. a curtain raiser than a season ender, the ATCO Super Series The National Squash Centre, with its unrivalled reputation for Finals - Manchester 2007 represents the starting gun for another hosting major squash championships, is the ideal venue to kick ferocious season of professional squash where only the most start a very exciting period for the event and our special thanks carefully prepared players will thrive and increase their rankings. go to Manchester City Council for their support, without which Gawain Briars this years event would not be possible. CEO, PSA We are confident that our unique partnership will inject new lifeblood into the championships and through major events such On behalf of Manchester it gives me great as these we hope to help the sport reach new audiences, and pleasure to welcome you to the ATCO Super show that squash is one of the most exciting participation and Series Finals - Manchester 2007, here at the spectator sports in the world. National Squash Centre, Sportcity. This year’s championships promise to be one of the most We are particularly delighted to exciting and eagerly contested in Super Series Finals history welcome another international squash and will hopefully provide the perfect event to launch the new event to Sportcity. squash season. As part of the Council’s major event strategy, Manchester is Ziad Al-Turki positioning itself as a world renowned destination for sporting Vice-President of the ATCO Group events and the coming years are set to be an exciting time for sport in the City. In 2008 alone, the City is hosting a series of Paul Walters six major events including World Championships in Cycling, internationalSPORTgroup™ Limited Swimming and Squash. This not only supports the profile and economic growth of he City but also ensures that real benefits are delivered to the residents through our structure of sports development programmes. Manchester is committed to developing squash and in partnership with Squash we are delivering a city- wide programme of activities enabling Manchester’s clubs, schools and communities to access opportunities to compete, volunteer, officiate and coach. Finally, may I take this opportunity to wish all competitors the very best of luck for the event and hope that all spectators enjoy what promises to be an exciting four days of squash. Councillor Richard Leese Leader of Manchester City Council

2007 ATCO SUPER SERIES FINALS OFFICIAL PROGRAMME | 03 PSA SUPER SERIES FINALS 2006 REVIEW SUPER

Anthony Ricketts secured his first Super Series Finals title with a resilient and determined 11-7 6-11 11-4 11-10(2-0) victory over England’s at the Broadgate Arena in London, England. In a repeat of the pair’s first qualifying round match, in which Beachill fought back from 1/2 down to beat his Australian rival for the first time in three career World Tour meetings, Ricketts started confidently, and encouraged by a captivated sell-out crowd, the sport’s most forceful player imposed his presence to claim an impressive 62-minute victory. A player line-up of , Thierry Lincou, David Palmer, , , Lee Beachill, and , all of whom had qualified by virtue of the performances in major events in 2005, were split into two round robin groups over the first three days with the two group winners and runners-up qualifying for the semi-finals. Despite his loss to Beachill on the opening evening, which saw him surrender the top place in their qualification group, Ricketts grew in confidence as the championships progressed. Renowned for his aggressive and uncompromising style of play, the Australian reached the semi-finals with victories over James Willstrop and Peter Nicol, whom he defeated 9-11 11-10(3-1) 11-10(4-2) 11-5 in a punishing 68-minute second group match - a result which brought to a close Nicol’s eleventh and final appearance in the end of season event. The talented and charismatic Egyptian Amr Shabana had finished top of his qualification group, with wins over Thierry Lincou, David Palmer and Nick Matthew. However he had no answer to a determined and focused Ricketts who completed a remarkable 11-7 11-5 11-7 semi-final victory over the World No.1 in just thirty-one minutes.

04 | 2007 ATCO SUPER SERIES FINALS OFFICIAL PROGRAMME R SERIES FINALS

PSA Super Series Finals, Broadgate Arena, London, England. 8 – 12 May 2006 Final: [2] Anthony Ricketts (AUS) bt [7] Lee Beachill (ENG) 11-7, 6-11, 11-4, 11-10(2-0)

2007 ATCO SUPER SERIES FINALS OFFICIAL PROGRAMME | 05 ZIAD AL-TURKI

Ziad Al-Turki had to be a visionary. Coming from a country with almost no squash courts it wasn’t possible to be anything else when your favourite sport was squash. ZIADAL-TURKI

By Richard Eaton

Which makes it all the more remarkable, that in so short a time Ziad can attempt this partly through the knowledge and he has become the most important person in the sport. If you influence acquired through his business – which, with twenty-six don’t believe that, consider this. different divisions, provides services for oil and gas. But his high- powered plans contrast with his low-key introduction to the sport. People know Ziad as the man who has made the $210,000 Saudi International the world’s richest tournament, but few are aware “I started as a kid when my uncle built a squash court. He had of his passion and drive, not to create an iconic tournament for his house in a square. There was nothing correct about it: the his own pleasure and self gratification, but to help the sport floor was cement, the walls weren’t straight, and the dimensions achieve a higher profile and greater share of media coverage. weren’t right. But we just started playing anyway,” he said. More recently he has also become notable for having rescued, There were no coaches in , but Ziad still played for with Paul Walters of internationalSPORTgroup™, the Super two or three years before going school in Connecticut, which is Series Finals, and as the event is the showpiece climax on the where, he says, he first realised what a squash court should be men’s international circuit, much of the World Tour’s status has like. So when he returned home the first thing he wanted to do been rescued too. was build one. Through major events such as the Saudi International and “And then I realised why he couldn’t hit ball properly - because Super Series Finals, Ziad hopes to help the sport reach new I needed glasses!!” he says with nice self-deprecation. audiences, and to show that squash is one of the most exciting Ziad wants not only to develop the World Tour, but to alter his participation and spectator sports in the world. country’s image. To achieve his vision, Ziad believes that many areas need “Once people just thought of Saudi Arabia in terms of oil. Now addressing – a more stable World Tour, a better ordered they think of terrorists,” he says. calendar, and stronger commercial support, so that the year does not finish with exhausted and injured players. “But we are twenty-eight million Saudis and the rest of us are not like that. We have victims by terrorists the same as the rest “I’ve been talking to some big companies,” he says. “I’m trying of the people. Talk about September 11th; many times before the to get a World Tour sponsor to support the major tournaments attack on the US we were under threat. to improve them. “There are many things to see. It has great diversity. And a lot of “The Tour should flow from Europe, to the US, to Asia and then enthusiastic squash players, and kids who are quite good.” back to the Middle East. Instead, players are going backwards and forwards all over the place, which is wrong. Once I get a Thus Ziad has become more than a businessman and squash sponsor it will be easy to sit with other promoters and the PSA entrepreneur, but, in a divided and dangerous world, something and work out dates.” beyond value: a cultural go-between and a peacemaker.

06 | 2007 ATCO SUPER SERIES FINALS OFFICIAL PROGRAMME ATCO SUPER SERIES FINALS 2007 PREVIEW 2007PREVIEW

There’s no event as significant as a Tour-end championship. By providing a finishing tape it makes the World Tour a race, creates a home straight, and links the world from New York’s Grand Central Terminal to the shimmering Gulf of Arabia and beyond.

wind for an hour and a half, that she was almost prepared to embrace the duo in all their sweatiness. But it has had its oddities too, from members of the public threatening to drop things from the arcade above, to mixing in criticism with his four titles, and Broadgate’s attractively cascading foliage occasionally being accompanied by the noise of falling rain on the court’s tent. Recently it looked as though the event was going under. Instead the charismatic Ziad Al-Turki, Vice-President of the ATCO Group, and the ubiquitous Paul Walters, founder of internationalSPORTgroup™, have taken it on for five years with every prospect of transforming it. The deal they struck with the Professional Squash Association includes an option for two further years, with a minimum prize Will the two best ever Frenchmen, Thierry Lincou and fund over that period of $675,000. Not Will England’s Nick Matthew repeat the brilliance Gregory Gaultier, delight us again with their style which last year saw him crowned British National, and versatility? only has the flagship of the World Tour British Grand Prix and British Open Champion? been saved, it has been towed into The Super Series Finals are thus harbour amidst fireworks. And will England’s Nick Matthew repeat simultaneously one of the Tour’s best the brilliance which last year saw him As before, it contains the eight qualifiers ingredients and its glossy wrapping. Yet crowned British National, British Grand from Super Series events throughout the there has been a hint of make-do and Prix and British Open Champion? Or will season. Now though it has a modified mend about it. his compatriot James Willstrop rediscover format, the winners of two four-man the form to allow him to steal past From its first moments at the Vitis Club groups going straight into the finals. everyone without them realising? in Zurich, with its enormous art nouveau Who will do so? Can the spectacular 19 quarter-racket insignia, through to its They are impenetrable questions. What is year-old Ramy Ashour, take over as the experimental years at the Galleria certain is the event is now at one of the leading man from his supremely gifted shopping centre in Hatfield, England world’s worthiest venues. That is compatriot Amr Shabana? Or will the and even during its attractive time at Manchester’s Sportcity, venue of the elegant Karim Darwish become a third London’s Broadgate Arena, the event 2002 , venue for Egyptian to scale the pinnacle? has lived with uncertainty. the British National Championships, and Will the courageous David Palmer, who soon to be the venue for the Dunlop Sure, it has had its great moments, most snatched the World Championships title British Open. notably the supercharged 2000 final for Australia before the pharaohs’ between Peter Nicol and . It is purpose built and feels like a squash pyramids, out-do the trio again? The spectators, in particular Sports home. That right now is just the sort of Minister Kate Hoey became so Will the two best ever Frenchmen, Thierry security the Super Series Finals need. exhilarated as the players chased the Lincou and Gregory Gaultier, delight us again with their style and versatility?

2007 ATCO SUPER SERIES FINALS OFFICIAL PROGRAMME | 07 2007 ATCO SUPER SERIES FINALS ATCO GROUP

Country: Country: France Date of birth: 20 July 1979 Date of birth: 23 December 1982 Place of birth: , Egypt Place of birth: Epinal, France Place of residence: Cairo, Egypt Place of residence: Marital status: Married Aix En Provence, France Highest World ranking: No.1 (April 2006) Marital status: Single World Tour titles: 16 Highest World ranking: 2 (March 2007) P P

U World Tour finals: 23 U World Tour titles: 10 O O

R R World Tour finals: 20 G G

O AMRSHABANA O GREGORYGAULTIER C C

T EGYPT T FRANCE A A

AMR SHABANA is the reigning World No.1 and in 2005 became GREGORY GAULTIER is one of the fastest-rising new talents on the first player since Jansher Khan, thirteen years previous, to the international circuit and in January, the 24 year-old finally reclaim the World Open title. emerged from the shadows of his illustrious compatriot Thierry In December 2003, the charismatic left-hander crowned a Lincou by rising above him in the Men’s World Rankings to be remarkable year when he became Egypt’s first World Open the highest-ranked Frenchman for the first time - and a month Champion, but following a disappointing 2004 during which he later, he climbed further still to a career-high World No.2. struggled to live up to his World Champion status, he discovered Gaultier enjoyed a remarkable 2006, reaching six World Tour a focus and level of commitment which has allowed him to scale finals, including the World Open staged by the Great Pyramids the heights that his undeniable talent richly deserves. of Giza in Egypt, and claiming both the Hungarian and US 2005 finished with his memorable win at the Cathay Pacific Open titles. Credit Swiss Privilege World Open in and was Indifferent results in the Canadian Classic and followed by a period of near domination, culminating in March followed by an ankle injury which forced his withdrawal from the of this year with him celebrating a full year at the top of the Tournament of Champions in New York has seen the Frenchman Dunlop PSA World Rankings. make a disappointing start to his 2007 campaign, but his fiery By continuing to weld discipline to his shot-making brilliance, temperament, distinctive Gallic confidence and brilliant shot Shabana has the potential to extend his run at the head of the making will ensure that he remains a serious title contender. men’s game and further elevate his status amongst the sport’s Egyptian legends.

Country: England Country: England Date of birth: 15 August 1983 Date of birth: 25 July 1980 Place of birth: North Walsham, England Place of birth: Yorkshire, England Place of residence: Yorkshire, England Place of residence: Yorkshire, England P

Marital status: Single U Marital status: Single O

Highest World ranking: R Highest World ranking: G 2 (December 2005) 5 (October 2004) R P E U

World Tour titles: 6 T World Tour titles: 5 O S E R World Tour finals: 9 World Tour finals: 20 H G

C O

JAMESWILLSTROP N NICKMATTHEW C A

T ENGLAND ENGLAND M A

JAMES WILLSTROP climbed to a career-best No.2 in the NICK MATTHEW shot up the senior ranks in 2003 with a string December 2005 World Rankings following a spectacular twelve of remarkable successes on the World Tour which saw him leap months in which he reached the final of the British Open, to a career-high No.5 in the World Rankings. achieved a semi-final place in the World Open, claimed the An impressive level of consistency thereafter has consolidated Classic and successfully led England to victory in the his position amongst the game's elite and in 2006 the World Team Championships in . Englishman made an indelible mark on squash history when However, since the Commonwealth Games in in he became the first home-grown British Open Champion in the March 2006, when he partnered to a Silver event’s prestigious 75 year history! The triumph rounded off Medal in the Mixed Doubles, the 23 year-old has endured an a sensational year which began with him being crowned British extended period of relative poor health and form, believed National Champion for the first time and also included him to have emanated from when he was hospitalised with food winning the British Grand Prix title, both of which were won poisoning in Cairo on the eve of the World Open in Egypt at the National Squash Centre in Manchester. Success at this year's British National Championships, albeit Stronger and more confident since last year’s unprecedented against a weakened field, and the Canary Wharf Classic in success, Matthew, who is the only player ever to hold the London in April, where he claimed his first World Tour title for National and Open titles simultaneously, is capable of taking more than sixteen months, will hopefully give him the confidence many players by surprise. to arrest his decline and again challenge the world’s elite.

08 | 2007 ATCO SUPER SERIES FINALS OFFICIAL PROGRAMME 2007 ATCO SUPER SERIES FINALS MANCHESTER GROUP

Country: Australia Country: France Date of birth: 28th June 1976 Date of birth: 2 April 1976 Place of birth: Place of birth: Reunion Island New South Wales, Australia Place of residence: Paris/Marseille P P U U Place of residence: Antwerp, Belgium Marital status: Married O O R R Marital status: Married Highest World ranking: G G

Highest World ranking: 1 (January 2004) R R E E T T No.1 (September 2001) World Tour titles: 18 S S E E World Tour titles: 20 World Tour finals: 32 H H C C World Tour finals: 44 N N DAVIDPALMER THIERRYLINCOU A A AUSTRALIA FRANCE M M

DAVID PALMER has been Australia's top squash player for the THIERRY LINCOU has achieved considerable success at past decade, having topped the world rankings for the first time Manchester’s National Squash Centre having won consecutive in September 2001, two months after becoming the first British Grand Prix titles in 2004 and 2005 respectively. Australian for twenty years to win the prestigious British Open. Thierry enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2003, contesting six The following year, David fought back from two games down to World Tour finals including the World Open final in Pakistan, win the World Open in his adopted home town of Antwerp in which ensured his position as No.1 in the first World Rankings Belgium, and in 2004 joined a select band of three-time British published in 2004. Open Champions when he successfully defended his 2003 title with victory over the then World Champion Amr Shabana in the Despite indifferent form throughout the opening months of final in Nottingham. 2004, Lincou regrouped towards the end of the year to be crowned World Champion in Qatar, which rewarded him with a In January 2006, the 31-year-old reclaimed the World No.1 deserved return to No.1 in the January 2005 World Rankings, a ranking after a five-year interval, and in August, history position which he held for the full calendar year. repeated itself when he recovered from a two-game deficit to defeat Gregory Gaultier to be crowned World Champion in his In 2006, Thierry won three World Tour events in the UK, the ISS third World Open final. Canary Wharf Classic, Liverpool 08 International and English David hates being the ‘nearly’ man and having won the Super Open, and can be guaranteed to make a tough-minded challenge Series Finals title only once, expect him to be dangerous. for the Super Series Finals title, having first won the event at London’s Broadgate Arena in 2004.

Country: Egypt Country: Egypt Date of birth: 30 September 1987 Date of birth: 29 August 1981 Place of birth: Cairo, Egypt Place of birth: Cairo, Egypt Place of residence: Cairo, Egypt Place of residence: Cairo, Egypt P

Marital status: Single U Marital status: Single O

Highest World ranking: 2 (June 2007) R Highest World ranking: 5 (March 2004) G World Tour titles: 5 World Tour titles: 11 R P E U

World Tour finals: 9 T World Tour finals: 17 O S E R H G

C O

RAMYASHOUR N KARIMDARWISH C A

T EGYPT EGYPT M A

RAMY ASHOUR is truly the sport’s ‘new kid on the block’! KARIM DARWISH is one of three Egyptian players to have earned his place in this year’s Super Series Finals and alongside Having first risen to prominence in August 2004 when he compatriots Amr Shabana and Ramy Ashour is one of the most became the youngest ever World Junior Champion at the age talented and arguably most entertaining players on the of sixteen, Ashour, just three months later, claimed the Athens professional circuit. Open in his maiden appearance on the Men’s professional circuit and so became one of only a handful of players who In a magnificent junior career, Karim was crowned British and have claimed a title on their World Tour debut. World Junior Open Champion, and as a senior, has already won eleven World Tour titles from seventeen final appearances and In January 2005, two months after entering the Men’s World achieved a highest World Ranking of No.5. Rankings at 300, Ramy rose into the top 100, and remarkably, this supremely gifted Egyptian now strands at a career high No.2. The 25 year-old forms the handsome half of the highest profile romance on the World Tour, with Engy Kheirallah, his women’s In July 2006, Ashour became the first man in history to world top twenty compatriot and fiancée. Their burgeoning successfully defend his world junior crown and has already relationship is paralleling his professional progress with the collected five World Tour titles from nine final appearances. former World Junior Champion having recently played some No one who has seen the talent and charisma of this of his finest squash, although it may also be that the success remarkable 19 year-old will be surprised if he claims the Super of Shabana and meteoric rise of Ashour has acted as a spur. Series Finals title on his debut.

2007 ATCO SUPER SERIES FINALS OFFICIAL PROGRAMME | 09 JONAH BARRINGTON JONAHBARRINGTON – LOOKING FORWARD TO A NEW ERA FOR THE BRITISH OPEN

By Richard Eaton We may have found a cure for Jonah Barrington’s depression. Those who have heard the world record raconteur and six times former British Open Champion still spouting forth might be surprised that he needed one.

But imagine if someone had said to Pete surroundings in Manchester this year, and again, and in 2012 somewhere else. Sampras that Wimbledon was no longer signed an uplifting five-year deal from “Paul has to be commended for the one of the greatest events and might not next year until 2012. holding action because it must have be staged, or that Lester Piggott thought With support from title sponsor Dunlop, been very difficult for him; but to take there would be no Derby. alongside UK Sport, the Northwest this on board and perform an upgrade That’s roughly equivalent to what Jonah Regional Development Agency and in such a short time is terrific,” has experienced in recent times, during Manchester City Council, Walters has Barrington enthused. which the world famous tournament with made the British Open a fixture in the “There are signs that we are returning to which he was once synonymous seemed Men’s Super Series, committing the the days when there was a genuine pro on its way to the dump. tournament to a record prize money total circuit in the UK and hopefully that will of $120,100, with likely annual increases. “I became pretty despondent because act as a promotional springboard and This is vigorous movement for what was I felt it had almost reached the stage give great incentive for more and more considered a corpse. where the best players were choosing youngsters to be involved. whether to play or not on the basis of The men’s prize fund has risen from “Suddenly we are talking about our sport what kind of ranking points it would give,” $40,000 in 2005 to $77,500 this year, becoming fashionable again, which is said the six times British Open Champion. making it a Super Series silver event; the amazing. So many aspects of life changed The British Open should be the ultimate ambition for every young ‘‘squash player, and I do tandem it with the World Open because it is the height of the professional game. Jonah Barrington The point about this, of course, is that for women’s event,’’ which was $31,000 two in the eighties. Squash fell foul of the much of its seventy-five years the British years ago, is now $42,500, and a Gold 35 demands of different fashions. Open had been the tournament around level event. “But I find it fascinating, because actually, which every decent player based his or This had Barrington pouring passion while living in the doldrums, we had our her schedule, and created squash- again. But we’ll ask him to hold his breath best group of players ever, followed by transcending legends. for a moment longer. four or five others, who are now in their But somehow the olde tourney was kept prime period.” Because the new British Open will be alive, then it was made fit and mobile different from the old. It will move: “And yet during that period there were again, and now it is carrying some of its every other year it will be at the National so many aspects of the sport which were old status forward to what may well be Centre in Manchester, but in between it not just stagnating, but fading. Now new and different glories. goes to another city. there’s real optimism about potential The man who has achieved this is Paul recovery. The British Open should be the This year Manchester, a nice taster for Walters, the neatly ubiquitous founder ultimate ambition for every young squash the 2008 World Open; next year of internationalSPORTgroup™, which kept player, and I do tandem it with the World Liverpool, as part of the city’s European the British Open going during the last two Open because it is the height of the City of Culture; in 2009 Manchester, in difficult years, brought it to familiar professional game.” 2010 Birmingham, in 2011 at Manchester

10 | 2007 ATCO SUPER SERIES FINALS OFFICIAL PROGRAMME did against him because of his mobility. a new and extensive pre-qualifying Rule was when I was behind him, to take competition offers anyone the chance to him back and work him mentally and hope battle through to the main draw. to break him that way. There will be other widening connections “And essentially that’s the way the match to the British Open. Age groups and developed. And this poor sod watching…. Masters events are a growing part of the He was from my home town and travelled great week, and build-up events at all the way up to Birmingham, which was Birmingham, the English Grand Prix, and not an easy journey in those days. And he Wolverhampton may be fore-runners to scarcely saw a ball!!!” (climactic laughter). a reborn British professional circuit. When Barrington beat Hunt again in the Another who appreciates all that’s 1972, at Abbeydale in , it was his happening is the last Briton to win the fifth and penultimate British Open triumph British Open, Peter Nicol. ”I think Paul and arguably the most amazing final ever. has done a fabulous job," said Peter Nicol, It was more than half an hour before the champion in 1998 and 2002. Barrington could win a point, and by the "The British Open still has something time he did he was 0-9 0-2 down. wonderful about it. Give it two or three Yet Barrington still won because, despite years and it will be the most important the frightening deficit, he was ahead on event in the world again." From a rival the other count – who had more fuel in promoter, the words are generous as well the tank. “But it was very difficult as believable. psychologically because at that stage But the last words should be those of the I don’t think he had made one unforced man who did more for the British Open error,” he said. than anyone. “It wasn’t that I had fallen “When everything was in order Geoff was out of love with the game but I did feel pretty awesome – so smooth and so quite depressed because I thought the balanced and I just said to myself ‘just British Open was going to slide away into Six times British Open Champion Jonah Barrington made himself into the embodiment of disciplined keep working to get one point’ because obscurity,” Barrington repeated, making it purpose, a mesmerising raconteur and the sport’s very often what happens is that once feel as urgent as if he had just uttered it greatest celebrity. there is a breakthrough it serves to gain for the first time. “But now I am very momentum - and that’s what happened. interested in the pro game again.” The British Open was certainly that when Barrington won it for a third time “But at no stage did I dominate the match. at the Edgbaston Priory Club at I went two games to one up but I had a Birmingham in 1969, beating physical problem in the fourth – I think it’s in a match which lasted fully two hours called ventricular tachycardia. and 13 minutes. In those days the event “I had no idea at the time what the was important enough for Barrington consequences were but I have since been to become a national hero, though the told that I would have collapsed before final was so exhausting it was one of the anything drastic happened. But during few occasions when he was hardly able the period when this took place it was to speak. difficult to keep any kind of squash Maybe this is why he recalls surprisingly activity going. And he took over and then little of this dramatic occasion. he was very dominant. “I remember it was a match which my “But at 6-0 to Geoff in the final game my bank manager came to watch,” he said, system cleared and then I felt I was breaking into that generous, slightly reborn, and at that moment he started to manic, laugh of his. have problems with cramp. And I took “And he was put at the top rake of seats over. It was obviously, as always with him, for large parts of the match and was whatever matches, very long. It was very unable to see anything of the game exhausting mentally.“ because of the amount of length hitting.” But then Barrington’s battles were often (More laughter) “He was really only able great triumphs of will, very personal to tell who had struck the ball by the triumphs. They established him not only sound! Geoff’s had a violence to it like as one of the great squash players of all a pistol shot whereas mine was more time, but as one of the Britain’s great Having overcome Geoff Hunt in the 1969 British Open varied because no sense at taking him on final, in a match which lasted fully two hours and 13 sportsmen. He became the only celebrity at what he did so brilliantly and at pace. minutes, Barrington defeated his arch rival again in squash player Britain has ever had. 1972 in his fifth and penultimate British Open triumph, “Nazrullah (Khan, Jonah’s coach) had and arguably the most amazing final ever. It was more Every squash player in this country than half an hour before Barrington could win a point, identified it was most important not to should now have a chance of forging and by the time he did he was 0-9 0-2 down before work Geoff short willy-nilly, which I never prevailing 0-9 9-7 10-8 6-9 9-7. a connection to this legend. That’s because

2007 ATCO SUPER SERIES FINALS OFFICIAL PROGRAMME | 11 RAMY ASHOUR RAMYASHOUR

By Richard Eaton Only those who have been living on planet Zog will be unaware that Ramy Ashour recently won his first World Tour titles, rose to five in the world at the age of eighteen, and has been dazzling audiences with his lambent smile. Everyone knows that he is going to be the next great thing - except those who claim that he already is.

Then there is the pressure which affects modern squash players worse than most sportsmen - the physical pressure from so many matches and so much travel. “Fasting during Ramadan is the toughest thing in life,” Ashour says. “Nowadays I will not fast during a tournament as I would have no energy and couldn’t play.” There is also mental pressure before and during big matches. “Before a match I remain calm by listening to music or singing,” Ashour says. He is, some say, good enough to consider singing professionally, like Ahmed Barada. And inevitably there is social pressure, the temptation of parties, booze, and women. This increases insidiously when he is away. “The girls in Egypt are not as open minded as foreign girls and don’t understand that you have to train and spend a lot of time away from home,” Ashour claims. “They get bored and think it’s because you don’t like them any more.” Although some pressure is unavoidable, much can be reduced. But superficially Ashour seems to allow more on board than you might expect. “I’m very proud of my city,” he said, talking of Cairo. “I want any benefits “His aura just took over”, one female Well there is. Most players know it, and from my success to go to my home town. correspondent wrote recently, “and all Ashour admits it. It is particularly a risk I want to do it for Egypt.” the spectators fell under the charm of for those who capture the imagination That is a different attitude from that this wizard of a teenager. And how not of the pubic. It’s pressure. adopted by many Western sports stars, to,” she concluded with more then a hint It comes in different guises. There is the often in collusion with a sports of abandon. pressure of competition, especially as psychologist. Their mantra is more often: Many who have seen the talent and so many men can now win major titles. ‘I’m not doing this for my country, or my charisma of the remarkable Egyptian There is the pressure of expectations: sport, or anyone else, but for me.’ have started taking these things for fans demanding time and energy, media To a Middle Easterner this may sound granted. The question is no longer expecting success which cannot be selfish, but is less so than it seems. All whether he can be a leading player, guaranteed; and there is the political those dutiful sentiments are usually part but whether anything can stop him pressure, from those seeking to exploit of a player’s mindset at some level. becoming one of the greats. him for power and influence.

12 | 2007 ATCO SUPER SERIES FINALS OFFICIAL PROGRAMME But unless he focuses on something Hill has nevertheless helped significantly, moment, you will have trouble. I went one everyday, manageable, even simple, the according to Ashour, especially in way, and I am saying to you go the other mind cannot function at its best. developing a unique style in which way - because enemies last for ever.” Ashour’s sceptical responses to the His personality is open and gregarious. professional psychologist may have All this helps him fashion his own ways of occurred because he himself is gifted ‘‘ in this area anyway. coping with a snare-laden world. Both his parents are flight crew with Egyptian airlines and he has acquired “I got Ramy to see a sports psychologist, opponents are sucked’’ into the web of some of their helpful cosmopolitan but he didn’t like it,” said Anthony Hill, a rally before suddenly being pounced on. outlook. He has persisted with his the former top ten player from Australia Hill still tries to help with the psychology. education at a local university. His who is one of Ashour’s coaches. “Do your own thing, but go with the flow, personality is open and gregarious. “He thought he was after his money. and you will survive,” he said. “If you try All this helps him fashion his own ways I think he’ll realise later that the sports to go against people or you are fighting of coping with a snare-laden world. psychologist helped him.” them or disliking them from the first Amidst it are unhelpful opinions predicting he is an imminent World No.1. “I have heard about these words,” he says carefully. “But every time I hear them, it’s with ‘come on, push, push,’ or there’s a racket contract, a clothes contract, and money in it. Perhaps I can be number one in one year, but that’s a lot of pressure,” he concludes. The continual struggle to act and perform freely continues on court. “While I try to find an opening on court, I also try to find an opening in my mind to get through that,” he sagely described it. “I (try to) think there is no pressure.” In similar ways he tries to cope with those whose over-encouragement is a mixed blessing. “These people pump me up,” he says. “I don’t want to let anyone down, and try to work harder. But I try to find an easier way to think about it. “It’s hard to explain. A lot of things go through your mind. When you go higher in the rankings many other things happen. You have to think before losing your temper and keep composed, on court and off court. On court I keep thinking, breathing, and thinking. Off court you just have to be yourself. And you have to think better.” Ashour manages that because, as you can tell, he is a great thinker. But even this cannot always be enough. He has no manager, no medial ligament in his right knee, and almost no protection from overwhelming pressure if he focuses too much on his country’s dreams. Most of Egypt wants him to grow fast and become number one soon. But this is an exotic, rare, and delightful, but vulnerable plant. Give it time to grow. Give Ashour a break.

2007 ATCO SUPER SERIES FINALS OFFICIAL PROGRAMME | 13 2007 ATCO SUPER SERIES FINALS BACKGROUND & SCHEDULE ACTO SUPER SERIES FINALS MANCHESTER 2007 In April, just days after the cancellation of the event which was originally scheduled to be held in May at the Broadgate Arena in London, the Professional Squash Association announced that they had concluded a pioneering seven-year agreement with Ziad Al-Turki, Vice-President of the ATCO Group, and Paul Walters, founder of the internationalSPORTgroup™, which will provide a total minimum cash prize fund of US$675,000 for the PSA’s marquee event.

The ATCO Super Series Finals – Manchester 2007, staged on the stunning all-glass show court at the National Squash Centre in Sportcity, brings together the top eight qualifiers from the annual PSA Super Series World Tour with World No.1 Amr Shabana of Egypt heading a star-studded line-up featuring compatriots Karim Darwish and Ramy Ashour; Australia's World Champion David Palmer; Thierry Lincou and Gregory Gaultier of France; and British Open Champion Nick Matthew and James Willstrop of England. Players will compete in two pools of four on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday, followed by positional play-offs on the Sunday. The PSA Super Series Finals – Manchester 2007 Final will be the last match played on the Sunday, once play-offs for positions eight to three have been established. The ATCO Super Series Finals – Manchester 2007 brings together the ‘‘top eight qualifiers from the annual PSA Super Series World Tour ’’ CHAMPIONSHIPSCHEDULE

ATCO Group Manchester Group Amr Shabana David Palmer Gregory Gaultier Thierry Lincou James Willstrop Ramy Ashour Nick Matthew Karim Darwish

Thursday 9th August Friday 10th August

6pm Gregory Gaultier v James Willstrop 6pm James Willstrop v Nick Matthew

7pm Ramy Ashour v Karim Darwish 7pm Thierry Lincou v Karim Darwish

8pm Amr Shabana v Nick Matthew 8pm Amr Shabana v Gregory Gaultier

9pm David Palmer v Thierry Lincou 9pm David Palmer v Ramy Ashour

Saturday 11th August Sunday 12th August

5pm Gregory Gaultier v Nick Matthew 2pm 7/8 Play-off v

6pm David Palmer v Karim Darwish 3pm 5/6 Play-off v

7pm Amr Shabana v James Willstrop 4pm 3/4 Play-off v

8pm Thierry Lincou v Ramy Ashour 6pm Final - PSA Super Series Final

v

14 | 2007 ATCO SUPER SERIES FINALS OFFICIAL PROGRAMME