Squash legend to play in Bermuda

One of the greatest squash players to ever pick up a racquet will play an exhibition match in Bermuda next week.

In a major coup for the Axis Squash Challenge —  an amateur event hosted by the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association — the tournament will culminate with an appearance by one of the game’s all-time greats, Britain’s Peter Nicol.

The now retired former world number one, with a world title, two Commonwealth golds and over 50 professional titles to his name, will play John White on Saturday, June 15.

White, himself, is a  former world number one and the Scot is widely-regarded as the hardest hitter of a squash ball ever. One of his shots has been measured at 175mph.

There will also be a women’s exhibition game between Aisling Blake, the current Ireland national champion with a world ranking high of 22, and Kasey Brown, the Australian number one and a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, who has been in the world’s top five.

The club’s director of squash, Patrick Foster, says the excitement levels are building ahead of the visit of Nicol’s visit.

He told the Bermuda Sun: “He is widely known as one of the greatest players of all time.

“He had 60 consecutive months as world number one and has won every title going. 

“He just has genuinely legendary status in the game of squash and it will be a real treat for our local players to be able to see him play, meet him and chat to him.”

He added: “It’s massive. We’ve always had some great names here in the past but Peter Nicol is pretty special. 

“It’s one of those things to tick off — that you’ve seen Peter Nicol play.

“It’s pretty much our equivalent of getting Roger Federer to the club. We are all excited, the kids are excited and the whole club is excited.”

Foster thanked sponsors Axis for enabling the club to bring Nicol to the island, which will give the amateur/corporate team tournament a real edge.

White is also a “local favourite” and has been a regular visitor to the club in the past.

And Foster is delighted he’ll be back — this time to take on Nicol.

“John’s a local favouite — everyone likes watching him play. He has a way of hitting the ball that’s the result of strength and whip in his wrist — it’s incredible to watch it.”

The club are putting in extra seats around the court for the Saturday exhibition and hope to have a crowd of 150 watching on.

They will also be showing the Axis Exhibition match live on TVs in the bar.

The draw will be made on Tuesday at a special function at Axis’ offices in Hamilton where Blake will be present.

For more information log on to www.bermudasquash.com.