David Palmer 'Excited' To Be Back In World Teams Action In France by Howard Harding
8 June 2013
- On the eve of the 24th staging of the WSF Men's World Team Squash
Championship in France, distinguished Australian David Palmer admits
that he is 'excited' to be representing his country again almost two
years after retiring from the game.
The 36-year-old from New South Wales, now based in Orlando, USA, led
Australia to world team championship title success in 2001 and 2003,
then into the final in 2007, and to bronze medal position in 2009 and
2011 - only losing six times in 26 appearances to date. On the PSA
World Tour, Palmer reached 55 finals and claimed 27 titles - including
four British Open and two World Championship trophies.
"I'm excited to be here," said Palmer, overlooking the three ASB
all-glass showcourts at the Palais Des Sports in Mulhouse, where 31
nations will compete for the premier title in team squash.
"I felt it was right to make the decision to retire when I did - there
were lots of reasons, mostly family - but it didn't mean that I would
never play for Australia again, whether it's this event or the
Commonwealth Games," said the former world number one.
Since retiring from the international circuit after the 2011 World
Championship in Amsterdam, Palmer has played on the Legends tour - but
mostly concentrated on coaching in Orlando. Since working with Palmer,
South African number one Stephen Coppinger has become the
highest-ranked player from his country for more than two decades and
Colombian Miguel Angel Rodriguez has become the second highest-ranked
South American ever.
"It's fun to back amongst these guys - although I'm still involved with
some of them, coaching Steve, Miguel and team-mate Matt (Karwalski)."
Palmer is the Australian number two, behind world No13 Cameron Pilley -
with Ryan Cuskelly and Matthew Karwalski, ranked 27 and 57,
respectively, in the world, completing the squad.
"It's important for the team to do well, for funding, etc, so I was
glad to be given the chance. I think I can add value and win some
one-off matches. I always think of Cameron as being young, but he's 30
now - and he's rightly leading the team, in good form after a great
British Open.
"I'm also glad that Rod (Eyles) is back - he's still got so much
passion for the game and is a great coach. He's got so much experience
and is a great motivator, especially for the younger guys.
"Playing for Australia means everything to me - and it's unfortunate in
squash that we don't get many opportunities to do this, except for the
worlds and the Commonwealth Games. We had a great training session in
my old base at Herentals last week - and when Rod handed over the team
tracksuits to first-timers Ryan and Matt, it was a really special
occasion.
"Even though I'm still heavily involved with squash, it's great to be
back at this event. Whilst Egypt, England and France are the obvious
top three nations, we're here to play up to our position by making the
semis."
The first ever staging of the men's world team championship in France
comes just a week after the sport was shortlisted by the IOC for
consideration for the 2020 Olympic Games.
"I've been around since we first started trying to get into Olympics in
Sydney, but there is no question that this has been the most
professional campaign," said Palmer. "It's good to see everyone come
together in this one - before the players weren't really involved.
"Ramy (Ashour) and Nicol (David) have been great ambassadors - the
whole presentation has really looked professional. If we don't make it,
at least we can look back and say we gave it our best chance.
"I might not be able to play in the Olympics, but could be involved in
a coaching capacity - but somebody like Matt could play in it.
"It would mean such a lot for the game. And if I think of some of the
kids I'm coaching in the US, I think 'you could be in the Olympics'!"
The 24th WSF Men's World Team Championship gets underway tomorrow
(Sunday) at both the Espace Squash 3000 Centre and the Palais Des
Sports, with the final taking place on Saturday (15 June).
Defending champions Egypt are seeded to retain the title after a
projected final meeting with former champions England in what would be
a repeat of the 2011 final.
The full pool line-up is as follows (with seeding in brackets): Pool A: [1] EGYPT, [16] SCOTLAND, [17/20] KUWAIT, [29/31] KENYA Pool B: [2] ENGLAND, [15] CANADA, [17/20] COLOMBIA, [29/31] NAMIBIA Pool C: [3] FRANCE, [14] PAKISTAN, [17/20] NETHERLANDS, [29/31] RUSSIA Pool D: [4] AUSTRALIA, [13] MEXICO, [17/20] SWITZERLAND Pool E: [5] MALAYSIA, [12] NEW ZEALAND, [21/24] BOTSWANA, [25/28] POLAND Pool F: [6] GERMANY, [11] USA, [21/24] IRELAND, [25/28] CZECH REPUBLIC Pool G: [7] SOUTH AFRICA, [10] HONG KONG CHINA, [21/24] AUSTRIA, [25/28] JAPAN Pool H: [8] INDIA, [9] FINLAND, [21/24] ARGENTINA, [25/28] VENEZUELA
