February 2014

Squash and Olympia – a never ending Story?

World Squash Federation President N Ramachandran (ri), who attended the Sochi Winter Olympic Games as the newly-elected President of the Indian Olympic Association, is encouraged by the IOC vision to introduce new sports to the Summer Games programme “sooner rather than later”.

Vladimir Putin (le) hosted a dinner for all the Heads of the National Olympic Committees, at which IOC President Dr. Thomas Bach (mi) introduced Ramachandran to the Russian President. “Naturally, I was able to use my opportunities in Sochi to continue my quest to secure a place for squash on the Olympic Programme, and it is clear that the IOC do have a vision that enables new sports to be admitted sooner rather than later,” said Ramachandran.

However the question is if squash should continue the quest, especially when participating sports producing headlines of doping cases in every Olympic event, like a few days ago again.

What’s the opinion in the squash community, should squash continue bidding for the Olympics?


The Champions are back – KPMG GRAND SLAM CUP 2014!

Some of the best players in the world return to Frankfurt to battle for the title of KPMG Grand Slam Cup Champion for the 2nd time. On May 7th, the international squash stars will compete in this unique “One Night Only” event.

Ramy Ashour, and defending champion, Grégory Gaultier, have already signed on for the KPMG Grand Slam Cup 2014. Last year’s runner-up, Simon Rösner, as well as Nick Matthew, the current world No. 1, will also return to Frankfurt. The new player in the tournament is Amr Shabana, four-time world champion and the winner of this year’s Tournament of Champions.

More players, more thrilling matches to be played on the stunning ASB ShowCourt which will be set up at the architectural icon THE SQUAIRE, beside Terminal 1 of Frankfurts’s airport.

For further information, please visit www.grandslamsquash.com


Simon Rosner won his 8th German Nationals title!

Germany’s World No11 Simon Rosner (middle) won his 8th German Nationals title today, as be beat World No62 Rapahel Kandra (le) in 4 games (5-11, 11-8, 11-2, 11-4). At the women’s event titleholder 2013 and World No119 Franziska Hennes (middle) came back from 1:2 games down to beat former World No41 Sina Wall (le) 7-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-8, 11-6.


Matthew takes Swedish Open title!

England’s Nick Matthew (ri) regained exclusive rights to next month’s World No.1 Squash Ranking after securing a dramatic 5-game victory over Ramy Ashour (le) in the final of the Case Swedish Open in Linköping.

The 3-time World Champion from Sheffield uniquely shared the top world ranking this month with Gregory Gaultier – but despatched the event’s defending champion in straight games in the semi-finals to move ahead of his French rival.

And in his sixth appearance in the Swedish Open final since 2004, Matthew recovered from a game down to upset the top seed from Egypt 11-13, 11-6, 11-8, 6-11, 11-4 in 91 minutes to claim his 1st complete match win over Ashour, the World No.1 throughout 2013, since May 2012.

“I’m proud to be Swedish Open Champion,” said 33-year-old Matthew later. “It was one of the toughest matches I ever played – it tested everything; Physical, Mental, Technical & Tactical.”