By Shawn Patton

The looming cancellation of the 2008 edition of the U.S. Open was finally confirmed today (Wednesday, September 10th). 

After weeks of rumours and concerns it became official when the US Squash website posted an article indicating Sean Gibbon of Squash Universe had "recently" informed the association of "their inability to host the tournament in 2008."

 
By Laurence Shames
The New York Times
First Published September 20, 1987

THE SCORE IS 11-ALL IN THE FIFTH and deciding game of a gritty, hard-fought match of squash racquets we are playing on the sixth floor of that Wall Streeters' mecca, the Downtown Athletic Club. George L. Ball, 48, chairman and chief executive officer of Prudential-Bache Securities, looks pressed but not tired. His reddish hair is moist and gathered into clumps; a wedge of sweat traces out his backbone. But his breathing is even and he still comes up on his toes to receive the serve.

** Video Interview Below**
By Jim Wellington
Editing by James Poole 

Many thanks to Jim Wellington host, organizer, patron of the Subway Goshen Open Championship for the following video interview (and the patience for delay).  Check out Squash360's latest interview with Samantha Teran WISPA playing professional below:

Nimick Attracts Global Heavyweight 
Issued by Howard Harding   

J.P. Morgan, a global financial services company, is the new title sponsor of the Tournament of Champions, the USA’s largest professional squash event.

By Jennifer Rundell
From www.beepcentral.com

When you hear the word squash what do you immediately think of? The yellow vegetable that you did not like as a kid, but find somewhat appetizing now or do you think of squashing a bug that you see crawling across your kitchen floor? Well squashing a bug is closer to the game of squash than the vegetable is. In this game, however, there is no bug being squashed, but rather a soft ball the size of a golf ball.

By James Poole

If I had a pound for every time I’ve heard someone say ‘Squash deserves to be in the Olympics’, then I would be a rich man.

My opinion is that squash does not ‘deserve’ to be in the Olympics. Being an Olympic sport is a privilege, not a right; and acceptance into the Olympic family only comes if you put the work in, build the relationships and annoy as few people as possible along the way.

If we look back to 2005, to the IOC session in Singapore – Squash was never realistically going to get into the 2012 games. The effort was there emotionally in the form of the great Jahangir Khan, but was executed poorly in the form of a promotional video straight out of the 90’s and a PowerPoint that would make a child cringe.

By Stephen Hufford
Racquet Sports Guide
www.about.com

The sport of squash, played by around 15 million people, in over 155 countries, on all five continents, is not yet an Olympic sport. It should be.

By Tim Bacon, M.A., B.P.H.E.
Science of Coaching Squash
Smith College

Excellence and winning are not the same thing. Excellence is about doing everything thing you can to be the best that you can be. As squash coaches this means developing a culture where your athletes have access to and do the same types of training as the world’s best athletes: irrespective of the ranking or ability level of your team.

Blog Watch
Squash Blog
www.squashblog.co.uk

With the Olympic Games underway in Beijing, scores of BBC Sport staff have flocked to the "greatest show on earth" at licence fee payers' expense.

With resources clearly diverted to Olympic sports ever since London was awarded the 2012 Games, what does this mean for squash's coverage on the Beeb?

Dear Readers,

It is after much consideration and many frustrated efforts we take the following stand and ask for your understanding and support.

So far, two major global websites covering the world of squash, namely SquashTalk and Squash360.com, have jointly decided to NOT actively cover the current Professional Squash Association (PSA) event in Cairo and only provide match scores.

US Squash News

Interviewed by Shawn Patton

Join us for this candid and at times controversial interview with Jonathon Power.  In this 3 part series Jonathon shares his recollections, thoughts and opinions on a wide range of topics and issues.