Framboise Gommendy catches up with ...
Nick MATTHEW:
BETTER THAN
I EXPECTED!

 
When you see Nick Matthew today, it’s hard to believe that he was not behaving himself very well on court until about 18 months ago (that’s what I was told anyway). Nowadays, he has a very mature attitude, he is not argumentative with the officials, respects his opponents, and always shows perfect behaviour on court.

And he’s got his head firmly
on his (large, sigh) shoulders.

 

Joe KNEIPP:
THE AUSTRALIANS ARE LIKE THEIR WINE,
THEY MATURE WELL…


They do, don’t they? John White became world number one at 30, and look at Joe Kneipp.

A huge film fan (his favourite film is “Amelie”, the French film, bless his little Australian heart), a party lover who had to cut it down to further his career, he has been on the circuit for 10 years, worked hard, trained hard, and finally at 30 reaches top 10, and the Super Series Finals. And I don’t think he is thinking about retirement either…

Framboise talks to Joe ...
 
Jill WOOD:
A PERFECT PERFORMANCE

I like referees.

I actually made a comprehensive article (about to be posted soon, so keep watching this space) about them called “Referees, the day in day out sponsors of squash”. When you read it, you’ll know why…

Well, I don’t like ALL the referees, but I do admire them for their dedication and their love of squash.

I especially like Jill Wood ...  
Amr SHABANA:
I WANTED TO
REDEEM MY DIGNITY

As I told you earlier this week, I was looking forward to see the Egyptian in action. I read, heard so much about him, I wanted to be swept off my feet.

And to start with, I wasn’t.

But as the days passed, the charismatic World Champion played better and better. He has a great sense of humour (don’t forget that like me, English is not his first language, so my hat to him), he is quick, charming, warm, very humble and yet very proud.

In three words, I like him.
 
Lee BEACHILL:
NEW BABY, NEW RESPONSIBILITIES

 
The 5th May will be a crucial date for Lee Beachill.

The day he became a father after Nicola, his partner, gave birth to a gorgeous Ben (I saw the picture) after just short of 18 hours of labour that started at 4am when her waters broke!

A long day that was for both of them!

Framboise talks to Lee
   

Satinder BAJWA:
ON ALL CONTINENTS!


The meeting didn’t start that well, as Baj (as everybody on the squash scene calls him) said to me that he didn’t know who I was really, as he didn’t read “squash gossip”.

Excuse-me??????????????, Gossip? Charming!!!!!

But I forgive him… He is only a man after all…..

Framboise interviews Baj