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Willstrop

Malcolm Willstrop is a wonderful and impeccable squash writer, it's just that sometimes he tends to go off the rails when he writes about his son. I know that this piece I'm writing is liable to be removed but I'm just going to write it to show my dismay towards the articles this squash site chooses to display sometimes, and I'm sure many of the readers would agree with what I have to say but I doubt this website will take the risk of creating an uproar in the public opinion in posting this.

Malcolm chose to write about the hardships his son has to go through day in - day out to reach his level, I don't think the readers want to know about James' schedule or James' girlfriend or what kinds of clothes James likes to buy........etc.

I don't like the fact that Mr. Willstrop has abused his space on this website to defend his son and show people how much of a squash role model he is. I had the pleasure of witnessing the Willstrop/Ricketts match at the ToC and let me just say that it was some of the best squash I've seen in my life, hats off to both players and I think that Anthony was deserving of the win.........but Malcolm did not acknowledge that, he acknowledged the fact that James had match ball on him and was "supposed" to win but he never said a word about the awesome squash that was produced in this match, perhaps if his son had won this match or the tournament THEN and only then would he have been pushed to write something.

Or why didn't he write about the miraculous squash Amr Shabana played in his match against Lee Beachill, ah yes it's because yet another member of the Willstrop legacy lost his match and "should" have won. We the readers want to hear about the squash WORLD not the daily cronicles of one player priveledged enough to have his dad be a squash writer.

Fram, Steve I apologize for making you go through this but I think it's only fair that you know what the readers are thinking about this, if you choose to display these articles then you should also be willing to accept the criticism that comes with it.

You have a great website but I just think you should hear us out, this is not the first time someone has complained about it and it's a subject of controversy, I know but journalism is about free speech and if you choose to not post this then you are violating that vital law. Thank you for hearing me.

Re: Willstrop

First of all, we don't remove posting gladly. It just happens that sometimes, some people do not realise how hurtful their comments are... Not to mention some "stupid" postings about porn sites, etc...

Now, to reply to you, Malcolm was not in New York, so he couldn't comment on the quality of the matches, Ricketts or Shabana...

And yes, James should have won, he was ahead in the 5th. I wrote it in my report. And he had match ball. So, in all logic, James could have and probably should have won the match. What is wrong in Malcom stating a simple fact?

Now, for the schedule, I think that Malcolm was referring to the problems that the National League is having at the moment, as there are talks about reducing the pay of players. In my opinion, he quite logically used an example he knows, James. I honestly don't see what's wrong with that.

SInce we started this site, we have tried and open our columns to many different people who can used our site to express their experience, views on squash. I'm glad to say that Malcolm is one of them. He has been supporting us, and God knows how I sometimes do not agree with him, and him with me, but he always have the guts to say what he thinks, and accepts to take the heat for it.

Just to finish. If I was James' mother, I would be so proud... So, what if sometimes, Malcolm allows himself to be proud of his son... Can you really blame him?

I certainly can't and won't.

Re: Re: Willstrop

I don't believe in the phrase a player "should" win a match. The match isn't won untill a player wins 3 full games, not 2 games and a match ball. A player could be down 2 games to 0 and 10/0 down in the 3rd but still you must give him the benifit of the doubt, he still has ONE LAST CHANCE to win. God didn't give James anything more than he gave Anthony, they both have 2 arms, 2 legs, a mind to think with and a will to win, so saying that James should have won is an illusion. Even if he were the number one ranked player in the world, he's still only human. Oftenly we make out our champions more than what they really are. I believe that a player should be credited for his effort in coming behind to win rather than putting him down by saying that the other player "should" have won. I realize that Malcolm is a proud father of a world-class player and he has every right to be that way but he must know that he's also a journalist and it's his responsibility to give us insight on what's happening in the squash world, so he shouldn't be taking the chance to use his column every now and then to rave about his son. I wonder if it wasn't his son complaining about this salary cap they want to put on the National League matches would Malcolm still write about it, the answer is clearly NO. He's a thoughtful dad trying to help his son out of his financial dillema, in this case by sending a broadcasted message to the national league NOT to reduce his son's pay. Malcolm is pouring with squash knowledge but in the end I feel he's just a typical sports dad looking for his child's interests. I'm not one to speak of how people should run things but I just don't feel there's room for these issues in squash, Malcolm's writing space could be better spent creating a column on ideas to promote squash for the Olympics for instance, something more worthwhile than knowing a player's personal lifestyle. I would like to take the chance to thank Fram and Steve for keeping my article posted this time, I remember before having a couple of articles removed and my IP address was blocked from accessing the website even and let me just say that there was no profanity or insult involved, it was just a case of someone not liking my own personal view, but obviously things have changed for the better.

Re: Re: Willstrop

I saw that match yesterday on PSA live. There was definately tension between Rickeets and James during the match. It was there in the first set when Anthony stepped out to have a chat with the ref. Then in the third at 2-2 they exchanged words and at 7-7 in the 4th set they again said something to each other and Anthony walked off the court. Since there was no commentary I do not know what was being said.
About the 5th set, yes James had match point when he went up 10-9 but in the ensuing rally, it wasn't as if James could have won that point as Anthony played a ball deep into the right hand corner that James could not dig out and then James tinned two put aways while going for a drop shot in the left hand corner. He did not move his feet at that point. Could be fatigue and as Anthony said after the match, he felt he was a bit more fit than James.
So based on that I think the better man won.

Re: Willstrop

I'd like to suggest that this chap isn't speaking on behalf of the readers as he claims - to me, squash is an interest, a hobby, and I find malcolm's insight on the life of a professional very interesting - I am never likely to be in that position myself, and I like to see how others live. Fair play to malcolm if he writes only about his son and products of his system - why not? There seems to be an awful lot of miserable people whingeing about pathetically minor issues on this board - I just wish everyone would cheer up a bit - aren't we all on the same side as fans of squash?

Re: Re: Willstrop

I think it is great to hear Malcolm's opinion. Come on, he is bound to be proud of James, and why not. Don't forgetmiit is only one man's view and we are lucky to hear that view from someone so involved in the sport we love. Long may they continue.

Re: Willstrop

It sounds like you are expecting unbiased reporting, but i dont thing such a thing has ever existed in the history of mankind!

Re: Re: Willstrop

I don't understand why everyone moans about Malcolm Willstrop!!! He is an excellent coach, has produced 2 excellent Senior players, one of which happens to be his son. His juniors play brilliantly, and the club which he is based at win quite a lot!! People that moan about him or belittle his acheivements in my mind are jealous!!! I have had the privilidge of watching his demonstrations with his players and they always give me inspiration to try new things in my training. I'm glad he talks about his son. He is obviously a proud father and is passionate about squash. Surely thats a good thing??!!


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