.... and just before his game he will entertain the spectators with short recital :-)

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dear slavi

in response to your earlier question about paul price - the word that I got (true or not?) is that he is attempting to get into the comm games team which could be his swansong (pun intended)

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Fair call but you can really see a chasm between the likes of Ricketts, Palmer and Grinham compared to the rest of the field.

Apart from Jenson and Boswell who are pressing there is not much depth.

It is ok to make up the numbers but the next generation needs to be snapping at the older dogs heals.

Seems to be a bit of a hiatus happening ?

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Slavi you may know that other guy I mention but does not matter - however, he also went to the Aust Open to play, would go well in doubles too with his skill and finesse.
He did ok for a guy who just plays local mainly these days.
Price and others, just as second string, keep the top guys honest, give them a good warm-up for the finals.  Also, by competing and doing ok, probably get enough money to pay their return airfare.
Plus they like to catch up with their mates, who are always overseas now, and might even get a few job (coaching) opportunities in overseas clubs.

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Slavi says:
Fair comments, Dear Rita, sad but true. I feel it's not ok if the talented guys like Paul Price (he was nr. 4 in PSA!!!!!!) have to leave the sport becasue it does not give them bread.

P.S. I guess I know the name of the other player you mentioned. He's Australian as well, isn't he?

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Well Slavi - just putting 2 and 2 together - and I do not know Paul Price, but from what has been said I would say the squash road is tough, remuneration poor, future bleak, so he is having a crack at both talents to see which ones wins out. Good for him if he has a choice, i say.

Just digressisng, we know of another top player probably faced with the same decision after years of training, fighting with injury and fitness, always broke, very talented, who does a bit of coaching and drives a taxi cab to make "bread" so this is the reality of the professional circuit if you cannot climb the mountain.

If you cannot climb the mountain what are the choices after spending say 20 years training, eg take up an overseas coaching job, work at a sports store, become a sporting sales rep, establish a coaching business, string rackets, and so on.

I find this a realistic attitude Slavi but not sarcastic.  However, if before, or at the same time, these players had gained some formal education, the outlook for future prospects would be heaps brighter. 
This is something that has always concerned me as a coach since there is life after squash.

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Well, I though I can get some serious answers, but I see sarcastic grims here :-)
I like that.
Paul used to be nr. 4 in the world in 2001. Now he dropped to 128 in the ranking and according to my knowledge, Australian Open is his first serious Tour since Tournament Of Champions. I just wanted to hear any comments from native Australians, what do they think.

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Well done Paul Price to be able to play a sweet tune using all strings.....oh what a feeling!

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World No.3 Anthony Ricketts yesterday beat Victorian Paul Price, 11-4, 11-6, 11-10 (4-2).

 

http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/double-incentive-at-championships/2006/01/04/1136050497223.html

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