Squash: Devoy hits out over tournament policy

SUSAN DEVOY, one of squash's all-time greats, yesterday scathingly criticised the World Open that once upon a time helped her on the way to fame and fortune.

The New Zealander started the defence of her title with a 9-1, 9-0, 9-3 victory over Germany's Sabine Baum, and described the tournament as 'the pits', asserting: 'There is little prize-money and no hotel bonus, and it's not even like an A-grade tournament. It makes you wonder why you are here,' Devoy added.

The incident that probably triggered her outburst was the request that her husband and coach, John Oakley, pay dollars 30 (pounds 17.50) to come in. Devoy called that 'a disgrace'. She was not, though, the only competitor to suffer in that way.

Sue Wright, the British national champion, made similar remarks after her father, also her coach, was asked to pay dollars 100 but settled for dollars 30, while Dean Williams, former World Open finalist and coach to Australia's Robyn Lambourne, refused to pay dollars 30 and did not get in.

Part of the problem is that the tournament organisers are not prepared to risk the large loss the event made last time in Sydney. 'If we didn't restrict accreditation and charge dollars 30 for coaches, we might lose 100 or 150 seats for which we could charge the public,' John Furlong, the chairman of the organising committee, said.

Furlong added: 'This is a dollars 300,000 event and we are on a tight budget. It was agreed with Squash Canada, the sponsor, Silver Unicorn, and the Women's International Squash Players Association. I wish it was different.'

Wright was yesterday among several Englishwomen to reach the second round. Lisa Opie, Senga Macfie, Cassandra Jackman, Linda Charman, Rebecca Macree, Suzanne Horner, Jane Martin, Fiona Geaves, and Martine Le Moignan are joined by Ireland's Rebecca O'Callaghan.