In squash - The Podcast

2022 Commonwealth Games gold medalist Gina Kennedy couldn't have written a better script for the 2021/22 squash season. She reached #8 in the world after starting the season miles below that, she reached the season finale pro tour finals in her first full season as a pro, and to cap it off Gina brought home Commonwealth gold in the ladies squash singles. Meanwhile, 2022 has gotten off to a slow start due to a few nagging injuries, but her performance at the recent Grasshopper Cup bodes well. Gina and I talk about all of the above and more, and we talk about her coach Ben Ford, who sadly lost his wife earlier this month. Our deepest condolences go out to Ben and his family.

Also, I provide my two cents worth on the Rob Owen/Joel Makin controversy that erupted following episode 233 with Rob Owen. This comes in the conclusion to this episode.

Many thanks to our sponsor www.opensquash.org

June 14th of this past summer was a sad day for the squash world as Camille Serme announced her PSA retirement due a pair of serious achilles injuries. Camille retired as one of the best players of her generation, reaching world #2 and winning the British Open, the US Open and the Tournament of Champions twice. Camille tells us about the struggles she had in attempting to recover from injury, her illustrious career and its highlights, her relationship with several players including Raneem El Welily, and what her sights are set on going forward, and her sights are set on bringing the PSA spotlight to Paris next summer with the venue being the Palais de Tokyo. And, judging from this conversation and what we know of Camille, we're in for a real treat. Tremendous chat with Camille Serme. Check out our sponsor, www.opensquash.org

Without question, Rob Owen is among the very best coaches in the pro game today. That is non-negotiable. The success that he's had with players in his stable is impressive: former world #1 and current #2 Paul Coll, SJ Perry, Joel Makin, George Parker, Nele Giles, Jasmine Hutton, Dimitri Steinmann, a number of England's top juniors, and the list goes on. Rob's approach to the game and vision for the game is unique, and needs to be heard. We talk about his career, many of his current and past players, the pro game and a few of its cast of characters, officiating, coaching certification and his approach to coaching, playing in outdoor venues, and much more. Many thanks to our tremendous sponsor opensquash.org

The Jet, Dimitri Steinmann has kicked off his 2022/23 campaign by reaching the third round in Qatar, round 2 in Cairo, winning his second Swiss National title, and he's kicked off the US Open with a first round victory. This all bodes well for Dimitri as he sets out to build on his current world ranking of #40. We talk about his start in the game, his parents who both represented Switzerland in the Olympic Games, his coaches Rob Owen and Rod Martin, the impact the Swiss Rocket Nicolas Mueller has had on his squash, winning the Swiss Nationals for a second time, and the Top Gun 1 remake, with a squash twist, in which he plays the starring role. Fantastic young talent and a great chat on ep. 232. Many thanks to our great sponsors https://opensquash.org/

PSA Refereeing Director and former England Junior National Coach Lee Drew makes a triumphant return to the podcast. We look back at his tenure at Squash England where he ran England's National Junior Team, and how proud he is of everyone involved after the men's junior team title victory over the summer. Lee also takes a deep dive on PSA officiating, in particular helping us get our heads around let call nuances, as well as the new 4 review + 1 in the fifth system that was introduced recently. He also gives his thoughts on the PSA season to date, and how he feels about weather and other elements impacting pro squash outdoor venues. Great chat.

Abdullah Al Tamimi reached the last 16 of the 2017 World Championships in Manchester, and a year later reached a career high of 23 in the world. Since then, he's had to overcome a litany of injuries, but what we saw last season and certainly in the first two events of this season bodes very well for a return to his earlier form and then some. Abdullah and I take a look back at the early days where his dream was to play professional football. His relationship with Geoff Hunt eventually guided him to where he is today(on the squash court), and we talk about this and is current coach Rodney Martin. We also take a look at his recent impressive Qatar Classic performance, his thoughts on the men's game today, the nuances of movement and subtleties of blocking, and so much more. Many thanks to our sponsor https://opensquash.org/

Sadly, US Squash has lost two legends of the game, Pete Bostwick and Sam Howe. Rob pays tribute to these two American greats.

To many, England winning the Men's World Junior Team Championships this summer came as a huge surprise. To head coach Josh Taylor, he felt it was there for the taking. What a finale it was to his tenure with Squash England. We talk about the big win and the cast of characters on the team, along with Finnlay Withington's runner up finish in the men's individual and Saran Nghiem's near upset in the women's quarter's to #1 seed Kenyz Ayman. Josh also looks back to his early coaching days, his thoughts on how to inspire and bring the best out of young talented juniors, and his plans going forward which include launching his own academy.

He rose to the very top of the PSA, world champion, world #1, over 40 PSA titles. Don't look now, he might be doing just the same in the coaching game. He helped Nour El Sherbini secure the PSA Tour Championship at the end of last season, and he's got Mohammed El Shorbagy, winner of the season opening Qatar Classic, playing some of his best squash in years. Gregory talks about his approach to the coaching game, and the attention to detail that he expects of himself and the players he works with. We talk about the resurgence of Mohammed El Shorbagy, being a part of Team Sherbini, his work with Saurav Ghosal prior to the Commonwealth Games, and a brilliant look back at some memories of his playing days. Thanks to our sponsor https://sprout.link/weareopensquash/

2011 British National Champion, 3 X Commonwealth Games medalist, 2013 World Team Championship winner with England, and a tremendously successful PSA career which saw him win 13 titles and reach world #9, Daryl Selby can retire from the PSA a very happy man. Daryl talks at length about his squash career and the aforementioned accomplishments, including which one he holds dearest. We also get into the upcoming season, who his odds on favorites are on the men's and women's sides, England winning the men's World Junior Team Championship, and a tremendous anecdote about playing golf with British Open legend Tom Watson.