Thoughts from the 2024 Black Ball / El Gouna / Worlds tournaments
Like London buses, after 10 months of onsite-Squash starvation, three suddenly came in a row.
I have to say I struggled a bit at times, once you pass 29, things get tougher, but it was worth it to watch ‘my babies’, the younger ones I didn’t know yet, the ‘usual suspects’, and the ‘not that young’ friends I have made throughout their careers.
Here are my two-cents thoughts, good, bad, ugly and emotional… not in any particular order…
“All you didn’t know you needed to know about …”
Shots from Heaven
A HUGE thank you to all the photographers that are spending day and night to make sure you guys get the emotions of the matches and of the event. I am nothing with them. Merci. […]
And finally…
Fram's last words about the three events… […]
Sometimes, it’s not about the winner
Sometimes, you need to give a voice to the one that didn't wint that day… Quotes from Ali, Nour El Sherbini and Karim… […]
Nele and Paul
Those two are tidying the knot in a few weeks and I can't think of two beings more suitable for each other than those two… […]
The Future: Amina Orfi v Hana Moataz
I feel this rivalry is the begining of a "beautiful friendship' as Hollywood would say, Hana Moataz/Amina Orfi.. But also Aly Abou Eleinen… Fayrouz Aboelkheir… […]
The Next Generation…
It's incredibly moving to watch Farida Farag and Shahir Momen dazzling us all… Kids enjoyed BlackBall meeting with the stars!…. […]
Tarek rolled back the years
Gouna quarters: It was quite extraordinary to watch Tarek making Diego look like a beginner… […]
New Kids on the Block #1: The Maliks
I was impressed with both Curtis and his sister Torrie from England… […]
The Parents
A few shots from Parents… […]
Coaching #4
Ahmed Haitham, Ahmed Shohayeb, Joan Lezaud, Shenawy, Andrew Wagih and more… […]
Coaching #3: Karim Darwish, Hesham Effat and more…
Karim Darwish, Engy Kheirallah and Hesham El Attar… […]
Coaching #1: Musical Chairs and more…
Nouran Gohar and Hania El Hammamy have been swaping coaches… Haitham Effat, Omar Abdel Aziz… […]
Coaching #2: Greg Gaultier, Rodney Martin
Busy time for Frenchman Greg Gaultier and Australian Rodney Martin… […]
Celebrations – #3
And to close that chapter, a few randoms shots… […]
Celebrations – #2
French corner: Marie Stephan, Lucas Serme, Melissa Alves… […]
Celebrations – #1
Three awards for the Best Celebrations: Mostafa Asal, Nouran Gohar, Diego Elias […]
James Willstrop: “Hello Stranger”
I hadn't seen James since Malcolm had left us… […]
Athletism
The physicality of our Gladiators is second to none… […]
Mohamed Elshorbagy: ‘It’s good to be scary again’
Mohamed ElShorbagy: still such a dangerous player, mind and body artist… […]
Hotels… the Award goes to…
Kempinski, Ancient Sands (Gouna), Hyatt Regency, Ritz Carlton… It was a close call… […]
