Thanks, Framboise ...
Since wherever I have been I have received favourable comments about
Framboise's efforts to portray something of what I am about, I would
like to thank her for all the work she put into it. She certainly
did a thorough job, as she always does - you can bet she has watched
any match she writes about from start to finish.
I ought to thank, too, all those who were asked to contribute for
their mostly favourable remarks. They were a select group and I am
sure I owe them all a great deal. It could be, of course, that
people exist who didn't like reading about me. I suppose they are
unlikely to tell me!
No favours for James ...
I greatly enjoyed the Sky coverage of the Mamut English Open and was
interested when commentators, Mark Cairns and Robert Edwards,
referred to the position I would adopt when Lee played James in the
semi-final.
There was a suggestion that I would be pulled by paternal feelings
into James's corner. Absolutely no chance! I don't view Lee and
James in opposition with any other anticipation other than that I
hope they play well, entertain spectators and are a credit to the
sport, which has given them so much. High-sounding, but true.
It is obviously a pleasure in my dotage, which I am fighting hard to
resist, to have a son playing the game I love as well as James does.
But having spent my life in teaching and as a professional squash
coach, looking after other people's children and other players, I
hope and believe that I have acquired a sense of perspective.
Press Perspectives ...
The one-eyedness of our sporting press amazes me. When a British
tennis player wins the US Open Under 19, which is an achievement and
a half in view of the nation's tennis achievements - Tim Henman
excepted - he gets a full-blown picture and comprehensive coverage
on the front page of the Daily Telegraph's sports section.
Nick Matthew's performance in reaching the final of the Cathay
Pacific Hong Kong Open scarcely received a mention in the same
paper, even though he was competing against the world's best senior
players.
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Expect no favours,
son ...
Nick Matthew -
fine display in Hong Kong
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