Squash world champion peter nicol promotes canary wharf tournament

By Simon Hayes on February 27, 2008 1:02 PM |

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TOP-CLASS squash hits Canary Wharf in less than two weeks and one former world champion thinks it’s one of the best places to play the game.

Peter Nicol, world champion in 1999, is co-organising the ISS Canary Wharf Classic, which starts on March 10 in the East Wintergarden.

He said: “The event is in a wonderful, unique venue with a great atmosphere and very knowledgeable crowd. Canary Wharf is an amazing place to play. It’s a pleasure to come to. Expectations are very high, which means we have to run a very good event, so it’s challenging as well as fun.”

Nicol, 34, believes the top seeds, Frenchman Gregory Gaultier and defending champion James Willstrop, are the men to beat this year.

He said: “James is in a great run of form, while Greg’s a tough competitor and world number three. Lee Beachill’s playing very well and there are younger players who could come through like Pete Barker, but I still wouldn’t look past the top two. They are quality acts.”

The glass court allows fans to get close to the action but it also means there is a danger of players being distracted.

Nicol said. “We have hospitality upstairs and in the first year or two people would clink cutlery and some players would turn round and say ‘be quiet!’

“Players are aware of it but they play off it. One thing squash players love is having an interactive crowd but at the same time they get on with what they are doing.”

Nicol’s world title win in 1999 was a special moment, coming after he lost the previous two finals.
He said: “It was wonderful. I went to Egypt, one of my favourite places, and played at the Pyramids against Ahmed Barada, the local Egyptian hero.

“It was fairytale stuff. Once I’d won the 5,000 Egyptian spectators all left. My dad, my girlfriend, her mum and a couple of players were the only people left to clap me. It was literally deserted but it was wonderful.”

The popularity of the Canary Wharf tournament is evidence of the game’s good health and Nicol thinks squash will continue to flourish.

He said: “Olympic status will be good for the sport but the most important thing is what’s
happening right now. It’s really getting its house in order in this country, from the grass roots up.

“I like to see the strength underneath so the roots are strong. We’re getting there and if we get Olympic status in 2016, we’ll be ready to really benefit from it.”

Tickets are still available. For details log onto www.canarywharfsquash.com.

simon.hayes@wharf.co.uk