02-May-03  
PALMER OUT OF BRIT INSURANCE SUPER SERIES SQUASH FINALS

World champion David Palmer has been forced to withdraw from the forthcoming Brit Insurance Super Series Squash Finals, scheduled for May 12-16 at London’s Broadgate Arena.

Palmer, the reigning Super Series Finals champion, said he was deeply disappointed at being forced to pull out of the tournament but said he needed more time to reach full fitness following a recent emergency appendix operation in Bermuda.

Palmer, who defeated Peter Nicol in last year's semi-final and triumphed over Frenchman Thierry Lincou in the 2002 final, revealed: “I was clearly unwell going into the Tournament of Champions in New York and put it down to a stomach virus. It was only when I arrived in Bermuda the following week that my illness was correctly diagnosed and I underwent an emergency operation. Unfortunately, when I returned home to Belgium my stomach became infected again and I was required to spend another five days in hospital.

“Since then I have returned to Australia for a break and rested for four weeks before I was able to resume light physical training. I am now able to resume on-court training and am on the way to regaining full fitness, but feel that I need a little bit more time before I am ready for tournament play."

Palmer’s coach, Shaun Moxham, said: "David is training hard but I feel he needs more time. I don't want to bring him back too early and risk another setback.”

Palmer, who recently returned to number two in the PSA world rankings, added: “I always enjoy the Super Series and playing in London. It is a great tournament and a great venue and I am sure this year's event will be the usual big success.”

Palmer will be replaced by Scotland’s world No.15 Martin Heath who finished 9th in the 2002 PSA Super Series Tour rankings.

Making his fourth Super Series Finals appearance, Heath was delighted to receive the last-minute call up. He said: “As one of the showcase events on the PSA Tour I’m obviously thrilled to be given the opportunity to play a part again this year. Satinder Bajwa and the team at WSM have done a great job maintaining the tournament’s profile over the years.”

Brit Insurance Super Series Finals Tournament Director, Satinder Bajwa, said: “It is always disappointing to lose a player of David’s calibre and of course he will be sorely missed. However with the quality of players on show at Broadgate in 10 days time, we are confident that his absence won’t detract from what promises to be a tremendous week of world-class squash. We wish David a speedy return to fitness and congratulate Martin on his promotion to the elite field of eight.”


 


Martin Heath steps in