Fram Gommendy:
When Ali told me a few days ago he was retiring, it was like a whole part of my soul was torn away from me.
With his kindness, his intrinsic honesty, his attitude on and off court, and his relentless questioning, he has been the light of my reporting days.
His family took me on as one of them, and the more I knew them, the more I understood where his qualities and generous nature comes from. Each of them enriched my life in different ways, whether with advice, support, or just pure help when I was in need.
The respect Ali and his family always gave me – he took the time last night to write a very long thank you letter that I will look at whenever I’m down and sad – kept going at my darkest hours, and selfishly, I wonder how or why am I going to go on without our chats, but more of all, how am I going to keep on reporting on tournaments he won’t be part of. I just covered one, and it was just not the same…
I know you have enough, Ali. Believe me when I say I do too. And for the first time of my life, I am, like you, envisaging a life without competitive squash. Yes, I am going to miss you THAT MUCH.
Your mental determination, your humility, the respect you gave to all, even the ones that do not deserve it, the way you surprised me so many times, like for wining a British Open while fasting – I will never for the life of me understand why you do it but you do, that’s the whole point – and the incredible intelligence you applied in your game make of you a role model for so many generation to come.
I have lost so many incredible athletes over the years, but for some reason, your departure hurts me in a different way.
I know you have so many more to achieve in your life than only squash. I am just being selfish and wanted to keep you with us a bit longer.
I miss you already ya Ali.
