U.S. Open Squash

Article by Kristi Maroc

As a child, when asked what he wanted to be when he grew up it’s likely James Willstrop replied ‘a top international professional squash player’ while other children were saying astronauts, racecar drivers, ballerinas or Hollywood actors. Like many other responses, his answer may have seemed like an innocent and possibly farfetched dream to many…but to James and those close to him it was already something realistic to aspire towards.

“I remember really being very young, there was no question that I really wanted to play the game to a top level,” says 29-year old James.

“I had a lot of encouragement and had an environment where I was able to be very involved and exposed to the game. I was at squash clubs, and found I loved it. I got addicted very early on and never really looked back.”

James’ family is all heavily involved in squash. His father Malcolm Willstrop was, and still is his coach, along with his brother David who was also previously a professional player and is now part of England’s national coaching team.

“It’s been a great life in squash for me. I’ve been very very privileged to have that chance to be exposed as a young child to that environment. As it happened I enjoyed it, I may not have taken to it as I did, but my family were well involved and I followed them.”

Now at the pinnacle of squash achievement, with a world #1 professional ranking, all of James’ dreams have come true.

“I was always really exposed to professional squash. I came to watch the British Open when I was young, and was obsessed with it – I still am really.”

The difference now is that he is actually competing in the British Open, and other major World Series professional tournaments such as the El Gouna Open, Hong Kong Open, and the U.S. Open.

James has confirmed he will return to the United States in October to contest for the 2012 Delaware Investments U.S. Open title. In last year’s U.S. Open he lost in the semifinals to compatriot and known rival Nick Matthew, a result which he will no doubt be looking to amend this time.

He is also likely keen to retaliate from his most recent major tournament experience – at the 2012 British Open – where he was knocked out in the semifinals in front of a home crowd during a nail-biting hour-long match against Egyptian Ramy Ashour.

After the summer off to regroup and prepare for the first major tournament of the season, plus a taste for revenge on his lips, James is likely to turn up enthusiastic and raring to win the U.S. Open and substantiate his world #1 ranking.

“Motivation comes by easily because I love winning, I love the thrill of winning and competing to the very best of my ability, or giving the very best account of myself even if I don’t win. I just love striving for that,” he says.

According to James, the only road to success is hard work...there are no secret tips.

“As boring as it sounds, there aren’t really any shortcuts. Hard work is the key. And if you want to get better at things, practice is my biggest tip, it really is…hard work and training.

“There’s a lot of off-court training – gym work, core work, yoga, psychology – it’s all in there. The secret is literally hard work. Like anything, what you put in you’ll get out,” he says.

“My main target now is to just try to stay healthy and play the game and enjoy the experiences that might be left. That’s another thing that you learn when you get older, I think you get a lot of perspective and you understand that it doesn’t last forever.

“I’m really lucky to have played at some of the great venues around the world and win some brilliant tournaments, and I just want to try and enjoy that as well.”

The starring role that squash has played in James’ life means that now he is so successfully established in his career, he is enthusiastic about instilling his love of the game to junior players.

“I remember like it was yesterday when I was watching people play in these big venues and just being absolutely awestruck by them. They were my heroes, the players, at that time. So I suppose now when I’m stood in that position as the world number one, I try and steady myself and enjoy it.

“This time isn’t around forever, where you’re an elite athlete and at the top of your game, so I try to just think ‘let’s enjoy it, let’s try to put back into the game and encourage the kids and the fans to enjoy the sport’.

Article by Kristi Maroc

At almost 32 years old, England’s Nick Matthew has achieved virtually every accolade there is in professional squash, including the U.S. Open title in 2007 and finalist in 2011, plus an unfaltering world number one ranking for the entire year in 2011. 

In a recent interview following his impressive win of the British Open, the current world number two confirmed he will again play the Delaware Investments U.S. Open Squash Championships in October this year.  

Nick also says he has hopes to reclaim the world number one position once more in his career.

“That would probably be my main goal now – just to have one more turn at the top,” says Nick, settling back into his seat for the interview just minutes after walking off the court from beating Egyptian Ramy Ashour in the British Open final. 

“Obviously James Willstrop – my big rival – is there right now, but before I retire I’d love to get it back one more time.”

Winning the esteemed British Open title for a third time would certainly have contributed to that mission, and Nick's excitement about the triumph is clear. 

He is the first Englishman to win the British Open three times, one more remarkable addition to Nick’s already impressively long list of career highlights - not to mention attaining it by defeating the exceptionally skilled Ramy, another of Nick’s long-term rivals, for the first time in five successive matches. 

“When I win three nil in the first round of a tournament I’m surprised, never mind against somebody like Ramy in the final,” says Nick. 

“I’m over the moon, absolutely delighted.  I don’t have many more of these finals in me, I’m getting on a bit now, so I’ll enjoy it while I can.”

After Ramy’s ruthless performance against James Willstrop in the semi-final the day before, many expectations were that the 24-year old Egyptian would win the British Open.  However on finals day Nick dispelled any illusions of who deserved to take home the trophy, overthrowing Ramy in straight sets in just 33 minutes.

“I’m nearly 32…but I’m a young 32 some days!” Nick chuckles.

“I played great today, one of my best performances ever, so on such an occasion I can’t wish for anything more really.

“I don’t feel like I’m ready to stop yet though.  Hopefully after a good summer, starting back probably with the U.S. Open, I can have a good start to the season and get some more titles under my belt.”

With his unwaveringly strong game style and consistently solid performances, Nick’s chances at the final of the 2012 U.S. Open are evident. 

“I’m at a point now where I’m trying to peak for major events – the big ones in the calendar like the British Open, World Open, U.S. Open, Tournament of Champions – ones that I’m passionate about winning,” he says. 

“It’s sometimes hard to play every single week, but to be the number one in the world you have to be the best player over 12 or 13 tournaments over the year, and that’s something I’ve got to get better at if I want to win get that number one spot back.”

As a PSA and WSA World Series event, and with total prize money of $185,000, the U.S. Open in October will bring all of the world’s top players to Philadelphia to compete for the prestigious title. 

“I love playing in the US – some of the best atmospheres are at tournaments we play in the States,” says Nick. 

“It’s a relatively new sport there so the crowds are always really passionate and really loud, and they always seem to be packed out every day.  They love the dynamic and athletic nature of the game and they really get behind us.”

Nick started playing at the age of eight, and says he realized the potential to be a professional player when he was about 15 or 16.

“As a kid, I played every sport under the moon and then fell in love with squash.  It suited my personality, with the one-on-one combat.  I loved the dynamic nature too, where you had to think a lot and think for yourself.  It made you independent at a young age. 

“I realized from coming to the British Open as a kid that you could make a living out of it if you were good enough, and willing to work hard enough – and so I’ve been working hard ever since.

“In the United States, the number of kids you see attending the big tournaments like the U.S. Open and the Tournament of Champions is great.  And they’re all so keen to play!

When asked what he would say to those young players who have dreams of turning professional like him, Nick says:

“Get to the big tournaments!  See that atmosphere and get inspired to play in one of these amazing venues – it is very different from playing behind closed doors. 

“The sport is growing on television, so you can really do well out of it.  This is the professional game and where you want to be. 

“I’ve made a few sacrifices along the way, but I’ve enjoyed every minute and it’s beyond my wildest dreams what I’ve done up until this point.”

“I think there’s an opportunity there to be that American superstar – not taking anything away from the current players – but to be that first real top ten world champion from the US," says Nick. 

“When that happens, I think squash is really going to take off in the States."

To see Nick Matthew live at the 2012 Delaware Investments U.S. Open, you can buy tickets at http://www.usopensquash.com/tickets/.  Tickets are on sale now!