Ben GARNER
Have you prepared especially for the Nationals ?
Yes, as obviously, it is one of the highlights of the year. It is a very
important tournament, especially being as strong as it is. Since I’ve come
back from Canada, my focus has been, “you’ve got the Nationals, and then
Tournament of Champions right after.”
 Have you changed your training for it?
No, nothing specific. I did quite a lot of training over Christmas,
getting ready for this side of the season, and I didn’t have that much
time, I only came back last week, so it’s basically about two weeks, a bit
of time to recover from the trip, and then, to get some matches in.
What is your weekly regime at the moment?
Well, I go and have some sessions with Paul Carter, roughly a couple per
week, and then I get a lot of matches at Lambs, as there are a lot of
professional players down there, and then, doing quite a lot of ghosting.
Not to mention that I had a lot of big matches as well (Super League,
Surrey Cup, etc.) and that helps as well.
Has your goal changed compared to last year’s?
Well, last year, I got so close to playing on the glass court, as I lost
15/12 in the fifth against Alex Gough, but it’s going to be tough to do it
this year, as I’m meeting Marcus Berret in the first round, who is playing
very well at the moment. If if I was to get through that, it’s Peter
Nicol, so, I guess I would have earn my place in the quarters if I were to
get there!
How do you analyse Marcus’ game?
He works the ball round very well, he doesn’t give you many openings, he’s
got very good counter drops and lobs, and he moves the ball very well over
the court. Although he has chosen not to play on the PSA circuit, he gets
some very good results in the Leagues and on the BSPA.
What is your aim for this tournament then?
In a tournament like the British Closed, it partly depends on the draw. As
I’m not seeded, I could have played some players like Lee Beachill first
round, so obviously, you are not going into the tournament to win! So
realistically, it depends on the draw. In my case, I’m going to try and
play well, and go from there.
Your goal this year?
I would like to break into the top 24 by the end of the year. Of course,
the specific number doesn’t matter really, it’s just getting into that
sort of region…
And the following one?
I’d like to be getting towards the top 16. I’m not old, I’m 24, but I’m
getting older, so next year is going to be pretty important for me, I need
to start breaking through and then, make that next step up.
Well, I think you have the best conditions to realise your full potential…
It’s the great thing about having the backing of the Lottery and the World
Class Performance Programme. I have been given the best opportunity to be
the best player I can be. I won’t be able to say, “oh, if only I had this, or
I had that…” I have been given the opportunity, and it is now up to me
to make the most of that chance.
Best squash memory ?
It was winning the World Junior Team in Princeton in 1998. And I also won
the first PSA tournament I entered in New Zealand, just after I finished
University, I was 21.
Worse squash memory ?
Probably Hong Kong this year. I lost first round of the qualifying. I had
just done a very good summer’s training, I played well against John White
in the English Open, so I was feeling good, went there, and lost to Raj
Nanda. He is a good player but it was still a disappointing loss, as I was
looking to qualify…It was a long flight for no points and no money…
Your 3 winners ?
Beachill, Willstrop, Nicol. It’s a bit boring, but…
Ben GARNER
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