Let's Talk Squash - SUSPENDED

HACKER · Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:02 pm Post subject: Delighted for Gaultier

Really pleased Greg won the British Open. Saw him in the quater final and he looked awesome. Super quick, great array of shots, ready to pounce on the T like no one else i've seen really and seems a nice bloke too.

Thoroughly deserved and considering he had a bad injusry only a few months ago it's to his credit. He should have some great battles with Ramy over the next few years, hopefully a rivalry smilar to Power and Nicol.

Well done Greg!

franck · Contributor Joined: 25 Sep 2007 Posts: 13

Yes this is great news,i am really happy for Greg,and obviously for Thierry,simply because they both had a though time since january,and seeing them both in the final of one of the biggest Squash tournament final.

As a french squash player,i am deligthed also..i would not imagine that 10 years ago....

Franck. Wink

bendi36 · Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 7:47 am Post subject:

As an aussie squash player i did.
_________________
If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite

franck · Contributor Joined: 25 Sep 2007 Posts: 13

Idid not imagine that 10 year's with the world domination..of the aussie's...having 5-6 players in the top 10...thing's are changing and i think it's good for the sport...

F

Mick · Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:15 pm Post subject:

Not if your an Aussie who wants to turn pro!

Thank God squash is a core sport in the Commonwealth games or it will end up like tennis in Victoria.

At least an Englishmen didn´t win it. That´s good enough for me !!!

drop.shot · Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:37 pm Post subject: Greg Lincou

I am happy for both of them. I believed in Goultier's come back and I was enchanted with his game.
Lincou - well, u know the best he was not in the best of forms recently, but he deserved the 2nd place.
Superb squash. Beauty. Sad that PSALIVE spoiled the viewing due to the free access for everyone Sad

_________________
>>drops hot<<
the nastiest shot

Run-away-from-danger Boy · Prolific Contributor Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 140

While it is a crowning achievement for Gaultier to wi the British Open, and he is obviously playing very well, I have to admit, I am not a huge fan. He plays great squash - it's attacking, can be wickedly decpetive, and his court coverage is exceptional - but I just can't help but feel that all of his talent is slightly overshadowed by his demeanor and temperament.

His attitude can be that of a spoilt brat, his arguments with the referee petty and at times become annoyingly repetitive and constant. I am not alone when I say that he does not endear himself to many, many squash fans. If his behaviour matched his skill, he would be the true professional in every sense of the word. I hope that as he gets older and matures, he will calm himself down, and go on to win a bucket load of major titles that he has the potential to no doubt attain.

Mick · Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 10:41 pm Post subject:

I think it does . ( ability = behaviour )

Every athlete deals with situations differently.

Results should be what matters ( as long as fair ).

I know what your problem is but try to look at the big picture.

outcome= professionalism !!

Run-away-from-danger Boy · Prolific Contributor Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 140

I believe professionalism is not just determined by how many titles you win. It also incorporates how you conduct yourself on and off the court. Gaultier plays like a pro, but often behaves and carries on like a 5 year old. Until he learns to accept referee's decisions that go against him with decorum, stops the looks of "what's that horrible smell" when he's losing, then he will continue to distance himself from many squash fans.

Whether or not it's right or wrong to judge him on all aspects - and not just his playing ability - is not the point. The "big picture" as you stated would also consider that, otherwise it would be the "small picture". There are a lot of people out there who do not take kindly to his attitude. All I am saying is that as good as he is, he's a long way from being the finest player.

doubledot · Contributor Joined: 08 Aug 2007 Posts: 11 Location: vienna

it´s good to have a good and a bad guy (who is the good now on tour since peter isn´t there?)
something like carl lewis and ben johnson or cassis clay and sonny liston.
that make it emotionel and thats good for the crowd.
in case, I didn´t like gregs style, but he is such a great player.

franck · Contributor Joined: 25 Sep 2007 Posts: 13

To be honnest,i think that Greg is fine on court, all these pro player's have the same behaviour( they don't like to loose!!! Laughing

) when they are not agree with the ref,i have seen that for a long time....nothing new really....

F

drop.shot · Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 7:37 am Post subject:

If the topic that we're discussing here is "charisma" of Greg Gaultier, then it's OK. I agree, he is the character. He used to be a bit cheeky and cloud-headed, but he worked out his psychological performance and now everything is in the right place. Take it or leave it, squash needs guys like Gaultier and full stop. Look at his qualities and achievements: World Open finalist, Hungarian Open Champion, now British Open Champion... he mas all the rights to show a bit of pride and ignorance. Let him spoil himself as he deserves that.

Runawayfromdangerboy - you should accept that squash is the sport discipline and people like Nicol, Gaultier, Shabana and Willstrop or Palmer deserve the same life as Ronaldhino (I've read some stories on his behavior), Beckham and the other Celebs. Commenting him as 5 years old child is a bit stretched and let's discuss facts not accusations.
_________________
>>drops hot<<
the nastiest shot

Run-away-from-danger Boy · Prolific Contributor Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 140

I have always agreed that Gaultier is a great player. I never argued that fact. But I have seen him on court behave like a 5 year old when he disagrees with a decision. It was not exactly how a top professional should conduct themselves. There were a large group of kids watching as well. You ask for facts? I can't produce a video tape, but I was there watching it. The particular match I am referring to was at the Windy City Open against Jon Power 2 years ago. After losing the first 2 games very tightly, with multiple arguments, gesturing, face pulling and in some cases outright disrespect of the referee, he spat the dummy in the 3rd game to lose it easily. (Jon Power was no complete angel either, but Gaultier overshadowed him rather convincingly.) This match sticks in my mind when I think of Gaultier, but I have seen him misbehave on other occassions as well.

Does squash need a Gaultier type personality on the tour? Of course it does. All players shouldn't be emotionless drones. People will go to watch Gaultier for the same reason they go to watch a car race - to see a crash. The fact is, is that Gaultier can behave badly. So can many of the other pros. Does he do it all the time? No. It makes for interesting viewing though. I like to see emotion, personality, gutsy performances, but I do not like to see players ridicule referees with the arrogance they seem they have the right to own.

If you want to compare apples to oranges (you brought up Ronaldhino) then take a look at Michael Vick from the Atlanta Falcons. One of the best quarterbacks in the football league recently arrested and charged and looking at 10 years in prison for dog-fighting charges. Everybody loved him - as a player. Now, he has lost most of his fans for his behaviour off the field. Professional? Of course not. If you want squash players to be likened to such superstars of other sports, then their behaviour wherever they go should be under scrutiny as well. It's the life of a pro sportsperson.

drop.shot · Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 4:07 pm Post subject:

So you remember his behaviour from 2003 and you are judging him for today (September 2007)? OMG, I am speechless then. Wink

Believe it or not I saw Greg live several times and his behavior does not spoil his qualities. Let's not be so cruel with our words.

He won, he deserved that, he was a bit cheeky as well, so was Thierry. So what? This is show.
_________________
>>drops hot<<
the nastiest shot

Run-away-from-danger Boy · Prolific Contributor Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 140

It was actually January 2006 - less than 2 years ago, and it wasn't an isolated incident.

I have also seen Greg behave himself impeccably. Sure he deserved to win the B.O. I never said he didn't. He's an amazing player. All I am saying is that his attitude on occasion leaves a lot to be desired and that tends to put a smudge on his professionalism.

drop.shot · Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 4:53 pm Post subject:

I would say you do a lot of carping about it Confused

_________________
>>drops hot<<
the nastiest shot

nyc squash · Prolific Contributor Joined: 19 Jul 2007 Posts: 100

Runaway isn't being cruel, he's just holding Gaultier accountable for his behavior. There's no question that Gaultier's a great talent. There's also no question that Gaultier often acts immaturely on court. Drop Shot hasn't denied this -- he's just said, in effect, that the behavior doesn't bother him. And that's what this all comes down to: does Gaultier's immaturity bother you? I have mixed feelings, but I'll say this -- when I'm watching him play, I usually find myself rooting for his opponent.

Run-away-from-danger Boy · Prolific Contributor Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 140

Thank you, nyc squash.

I think I have a right to carp about it - if I pay a few hundred dollars to watch the pros play, then I expect them to act and behave accordingly. I don't care if players don't play well, so long as they try 100% and conduct themselves as professionals.

If they want to be paid like the professionals they are, then act like one.

drop.shot · Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 6:34 pm Post subject:

now you exagerrated with this money thing "I PAY I DEMAND". Are you going to send official complaint letter to organizers of any squash tournament you attend because you paid and you are dissapointed with the players behaviour? This is simply superfunny. Cool

and I hope you are just kidding.
_________________
>>drops hot<<
the nastiest shot

Run-away-from-danger Boy · Prolific Contributor Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 140

Don't put words into my mouth here, drop.shot. I'm not demanding at all. I'm expecting. Just like any product that you pay for, you would expect value for money. It's not cheap to watch the top pros play. If I fork out money to watch it, then I expect a certain value in return. If a pro doesn't try, then why wouldn't I have the right to ask for my money back? That's simply common sense. If the product you purchase is sub par, you take it back, right?

Of course I didn't ask for my money back, or send a complaint letter. But if it was the final, and the only match that was on offer for the money I paid, then I may very well have spoken up to the organizers. The other matches were more than worth the price of entry, but you see my point?

They are professional athletes - they deserve to be paid as such - but they also should be held to the standards expected of them.

Calsquasher · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 9:54 am Post subject:

Gaultier has improved immensely in his behavior over the past few years. He used to be a complete jerk and now he is working hard to comport himself. David Palmer used to be the same way let's not forget (remember how he shoved Power into the side wall?) and now he's the model of professionalism and sportsmanship. Let's not judge others on what they were but what they are now. We're all human beings and we're all growing in one way or another.
_________________
"Drive for show, drop for dough."

nyc squash · Prolific Contributor Joined: 19 Jul 2007 Posts: 100

From what I've seen, both Gaultier and Palmer have improved their on-court behavior, but I don't think either will ever be winning any sportsmanship trophies. Neither can overcome the impulse to whine and pout when things aren't going their way. Palmer's comments after losing to Willstrop in the English grand prix were a classic example: he gripes about how he's not feeling well, and says essentially that if he hadn't had a virus over the summer he would have won. He makes no acknowledgment of the fact that Willstrop fought back from 2-1 down and showed greater poise and determination in a tight fifth. Palmer may no longer push opponents or throw racquets at refs, but he's still a long way from being a "model of professionalism and sportsmanship."

Calsquasher · Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 1:18 am Post subject:

I don't think Palmer was taking anything away from Willstrop, he was just giving an honest assessment of how he was feeling and how he played. There's nothing unsportsmanlike about that. I much prefer honest and direct answers rather than ho hum politically correct answers that give us no real insight. You want to see real sportsmanship, watch Palmer's semi with El Hindi in Qatar. El Hindi barged and shoved Palmer around so much that he got a warning then a penalty stroke. And how did Palmer behave? Like a complete gentleman, even when he was picking himself up off the floor. I'm not saying he's Peter Nicol yet, but the days of Palmer having ugly confrontations with the refs and his opponents are over and for that, he should be commended. Ditto with Gaultier.
_________________
"Drive for show, drop for dough."

drop.shot

As I assume, our conversation turned an angle from Gaultier's victory into sportsmanship and gentlemen on court.
I just have read an article on our favourite website and look what I've found:
http://www.squashsite.co.uk/dunlop/us_ope30.jpg

Surprisingly (wrote with sarcasm) hero involved is nobody else but Wael El Hindi, well known for "being far from gentle on court". I am sorry to read that he has knocked down Borja Golan. I am sorry to conclude thera are better ways to emphasize your supremacy in sport... You can complain on court conditions or referee, but there must be something inside your mind that whispers "just play squash".
_________________
>>drops hot<<
the nastiest shot

Marro · Prolific Contributor Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 77

It seems to me that Gaultier's behaviour has not perhaps improved enough. This is from the report on his US open match against James Willstrop...