Sometimes squash players are the luckiest in the world. Right now there is no doubt that the WISPA women playing in the Cayman Islands Open 2010 are fortunate to be enjoying the island life and Caribbean hospitality. We have been taking in all the activities around the sea and loving our time here.

Me and the girls, out in the sun, at Cayman Islands.

This morning I snorkelled with six of the players at a club member’s dive centre in the heart of Cayman. I enjoyed seeing colourful fishes and sea life and relating them to the characters of the movie Finding Nemo. Since I’m new to snorkelling my mind was carried away with the gorgeous sea life and then sent into a panic either because I couldn’t see the shoreline or because suddenly a wave of salt water entered my breathing piece. Overall the experience was a positive one but I am not ready to go scuba diving yet.

In addition to enjoying the creatures of the sea, we have spent time on the beach. At any one point during the day you will find at least a half dozen players sunning themselves on the sand. Sam Cornett and Miranda Ranieri, the other Canadians in the draw, maximized their time on the beach and on their over sized floating bicycle and almost missed their flights off the island.

We do play squash here too. I won my first round of qualifying in three games over Siyoli Waters of South Africa then lost to Wee Wern of Malaysia. Since I am just coming off a hip injury I am pleased with my result. My flight back to Winnipeg is tomorrow. I am reluctant to leave the island but keen to get back to training for my upcoming events.
Cheers from way down south!

Follow Alana on her Facebook FanPage, here!

In this week’s StarGazer Interview:
Alana Miller, Canada

Alana Miller, Squash Stars Ambassador & Canada's top female player.

STARGAZER : How was training, building up to your first tournament?
ALANA : My training was great, leading up to the Greenwich Open, and the Burning River in Cleveland. In the past I usually take ten days away from squash around Christmas but this year I chose to continue to train through the holidays so that I would feel strong, fit and confident for my tournaments in January. In the Greenwich Open I played well and fought hard in the second round of qualifying before going down to Aisling Blake in five games. Unfortunately in the next days, when taking advantage of the many training partners in Greenwich, I strained my piriformis muscle—a muscle around my butt. A few days later, I travelled to Cleveland with the intention of competing but pulled out once my strain was diagnosed by a doctor.

Although I was disappointed to miss one of the best tournaments on the calendar, my decision to pass on the competition was a good one because I was able to be home to receive treatment. My athletic therapist is a miracle worker when it comes to healing injuries because with only two and a half weeks of massage and electric therapy, I was ready to compete in the Dayton Open. I would have liked more match play before the tournament but I played well to push Kasey Brown to four close games in the quarter final.

Now I have a few weeks left to train before my next tournament and I am working on my speed to the front of the court.

STARGAZER : Did you enjoy the event?
ALANA : My first event of 2010 was the Harrow Greenwich Open and I loved the event. I was billeted with a great family who took great care of me. And once the tournament was over, a few players and I spent a night in New York City where I saw my first Broadway show—Memphis, and enjoyed a delicious Italian dinner.

STARGAZER : Are your matches getting more competitive at the moment amongst your peers?
ALANA : Yes my matches are getting more competitive. I feel like the level on the WISPA tour is improving and more players are playing at a high level. The matches are closer and longer. Personally, I feeling like I am closing in on players ranked higher than me but am being pushed by those ranked below me. The competitive matches make the tournaments interesting as the seeded players are not always coming out on top.

STARGAZER : What was your toughest match so far in your career?
ALANA : I have had many tough matches but the toughest match I have ever played was at the Canadian Nationals in 2004. I played Runa Reta in the final and since we grew up playing juniors together, we had a well established rivalry. This match was the first final for both of us at the senior level so we battled nerves and each other on the court. I pushed my hardest mentally and physically that day. I realized after that match, the tough training that was needed to compete at the senior level.

2004 Canadian Champions Graham Ryding ( Men's Champion) Peter Ward (President Squash Canada) and Alana Miller (Women's Champion)

STARGAZER : Can you give us some insights of your routine at a tournament.
ALANA : My routine at tournaments varies slightly but generally on match day, it involves a morning practice, a long stretch, an afternoon of relaxing and then an evening match. In the afternoon I like to sleep or read or socialize.

STARGAZER : Any new year’s resolution?
ALANA : Yes, always a new year’s resolution. In 2010, I vow to book my flights early to take advantage of the advanced booking prices.

STARGAZER FACT FILE:

Name : Alana Martha Miller
Age : 29
Nationality : Canadian
Home State/Town/City : Winnipeg, MB
Current World Ranking : 38
Coach : Trevor Borland
Racquet : Black Knight
Favorite Squash Player of All Time : Nicol David because of her outstanding skill and grace on court and for her modesty off court.
Proudest Achievement : Winning a gold medal in the team event at the 2007 Pan Am Games.
Favorite Tournament : I have many but I love the tournaments when I am billeted with a lovely family with kids who are excited about squash. In terms of location, I love warm weather. I am looking forward to going to Texas and Cayman Islands.
Favorite Food : Chocolate
Favorite Holiday Destination : Florida
Favorite Color : Pink

Follow Alana on her Facebook FanPage, here!

After playing five tournaments in a row—Meadowood Pharmacy Open, the Flying Pig, the London Open, Qatar Classic, and the Sharm El Sheikh Open I am happy to be home. Upon reflection of my trip I want to recognize the efforts of the squash communities that worked so hard to host the events. Their efforts are appreciated by the players who usually have traveled great distances to battle it out on the squash court.

At the Meadowood Pharmacy Open, one that I helped organize, the effort of the committee members was outstanding. Even though most details were ironed out in meetings, last minute additions improved the tournament. One of my favorite examples were the Halloween creepy finger dainties that were home baked by a sponsor’s wife. Another addition that created a nice atmosphere were fresh flowers present in the players lounge and later moved to the back of court for the finals. These small personal touches make the tournament more enjoyable for the players.

The Canadian contingent in Cincinnati! From left to right me, Genevieve Lessard, Sam Cornett and Carolyn Russell

At the Flying Pig in Cincinnati, my billets—the Johnson family, went beyond expectations to make sure Thaisa Serafini and I were comfortable. We were driven to and from the club even though the distance was walkable, had fresh flowers in our room to lighten the atmosphere, and were provided with a full fridge of our favorite foods. In fact, there was so much food in the house that there was overflow from the cupboards to the counter space. I am sure the treatment Thaisa and I experienced over the week contributed to our better than expected results in the tournament.

At the London Open, I am thankful to Zubair for hosting the tournament and to Leonie Holt who got me from the Heathrow airport safely to the Cumberland Lawn Tennis Club in an hour and a half. Thankfully, Leonie printed a Google Map on how to get to the club using the tube. After following Leonie through three transfers and a fifteen minute walk with our heavy luggage, we arrived. The club was located in a funky area of town with quaint shops. Manuela and I especially enjoyed the Banana Leaf restaurant. Both of us are creatures of habit and we ate there every night—same dish too, a Vietnamese Pho soup. I had the chicken and Manuela the pork and prawns.

The tournament organizers at the Qatar Classic take pride in the way players are treated. On the night of the first round we enjoyed a gourmet buffet in a five star hotel. The brand new ‘W’ was rumored to be the highest rated hotel in Doha. And throughout the event, the players were provided with drivers. These drivers drove us to the club, to the Villagio mall, to the Laundromat, and anywhere else we wanted to visit. As a qualifier, I was not provided with hotel during the first two days but the qualifying tournament hotel allowed us to squeeze five players into one $150US room. At $30 per person we each had a bed, access to a kitchen and a washer and dryer; all players got value for their dollar.

The view from our room at Laguna Vista Resort

When traveling to the Sharm El Sheikh Open from Doha I thought that this was one tournament too many. But when creating my fall tournament schedule I was desperate for ranking points to make up for the five months I was injured in the summer. And since I had better than expected results in the last three tournaments it was not difficult to stay motivated for one more. It was made even easier once I arrived at Laguna Vista resort. I shared a room with Lisa Camilleri and our room was huge with a balcony that looked out onto the main swimming pool. The resort was all inclusive so it was a challenge to not over indulge in the buffet meals. Dr Ahmed Said and his tournament staff ran an amazing event. The staff was available all day to provide services to the players. Kylie Lindsay’s bag didn’t arrive in Sharm and she and a staff member made six trips to the airport, without complaint, until finally the bag arrived from Amsterdam two days later.

Although I thoroughly enjoyed my time at my last five tournaments, there is no better feeling than being home. I had no trouble transitioning into holiday mode looking for Christmas gifts for my family and baking goodies.

My next tournaments will be in January in the US, until then happy holidays everyone!

Aisling, me and Lisa Camilleri at the beach in Sharm.

My Flying Pig Tournament Diary

by Alana Miller

Click here for WISPA’S Flying Pig Event Draw.

Alana’s scribble on 8 November 2009@13.10pm
Tomorrow it’s Lisa Camilleri and I in the final.  We are looking forward to doing battle tomorrow on the court

~

Alana’s scribble on 7 November 2009@12.09am
Lisa Camilleri will play Lauren Selby and I will play Melody Francis. I am off to sleep now, good night squash fans.

~

Alana’s scribble on 7 November 2009 @ 5.11pm
Tonight is quarter final night at the Flying Pig.

The match ups are:
Lisa Camilleri vs Thaisa Serafini
Lauren Selby vs Carolyn Russell
Olivia Blatchford vs Melody Francis
Alana Miller vs Leonie Holt

All the players are full of energy because we attended a lunch party hosted by Jenny, one of the squash players at the Cincinnati Country Club. The lunch was absolutely delicious!

~

Alana’s scribble on 5 November 2009 @ 11.02pm
I am now experiencing the hospitality of Cincinnatians at the Flying Pig. I arrived today and was picked up by my billet from the airport with Thaisa Serafini from Brazil. We were shuttled to the courts and then to the grocery store to pick up our favorite treats. Life is so good on tour!

Perhaps the most exciting thing for me right now is my comfortable bed. Since the Meadowood tournament finished I have been tying up the final details so I am looking forward to having a long sleep.

I will keep everyone up to date with my results this week.

]]> http://squashstars.com/flying-pig/feed/ 3 http://squashstars.com/finals-at-the-meadowood/ http://squashstars.com/finals-at-the-meadowood/#comments Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:21:33 +0000 Alana Miller http://squashstars.com/finals-at-the-meadowood/

Latasha Khan took the title over Emma Beddoes in a close four game match (11-6, 3-11, 11-8, 11-6). The bleachers were full and the spectators were impressed with the pace of the game and the way neither player gave an inch.

So, the event is complete and I am pleased with how the event finished up. Although I am exhausted, I am keen to make our tournament bigger and better next year.

Now I get to enjoy my time at other tournaments. From here I am heading to the Flying Pig in Cincinnati then to the Coronation London Open, then the Qatar Classic and finally the Sharm El Sheikh Open.

The Winnipeg Winter Club squash lounge was bustling yesterday for the semi final matches. I played Emma in the first semi and her length was accurate and her shots were rolling in. I lost in four games 11-6, 3-11, 11-8, 11-6. In the second semi after four hard fought games Latasha Khan overcame Lisa Camilleri 11-5, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8.

The finals start in a couple hours, see you at the courts…

I am well aware of the popularity of the PSA events held in our local squash community, so you can imagine that I was a little concerned about how our WISPA event would be received. I am so pleased to report that for both Thursday and Friday night the squash lounge at the Winnipeg Winter Club has been buzzing with excited spectators. The excitement of the crowd was confirmed when I heard the crowd collectively gasp at the player’s retrieving.

Tomorrow I expect a similar atmosphere for the semi final matches starting at 1pm. In the first match I am playing Emma Beddoes. And at 2pm Latasha Khan takes on Lisa Camilleri.

Good night all,

Alana

Eight players have advanced to the quarter finals after last night’s first round matches.
The match ups are:
Latasha Khan vs Vicky Lust
Alana Miller vs Olivia Blatchford
Lisa Camilleri vs Alexandra Norman
Suzanna King vs Emma Beddoes

Play begins at 5:15 today with the last match starting at 7:30. Come out and watch some professional squash while enjoying a beer or wine by the courts.

See you there!

Alana

Alana

Hello Squash Fans, especially those in Winnipeg, the Meadowood Pharmacy Open has started. Last night four qualifiers: Nikki Todd, Suzie King, Imelda Salazar Martinez and our own Tara Chawla made it through to the main round. Tonight I am playing Nikki Todd at 6pm.

In an hour and a half the first round matches will be played at the Winnipeg Winter Club. The last match is scheduled for 7:30. Admission is free, so come watch some amazing women compete!

Alana

Hello Squash Fans,

I am writing about my latest squash endeavor.  I am helping to organize Winnipeg’s first Wispa tournament with my coach Trevor Borland and with an amazing committee.  When I initially took on this project, I was unsure about how potential sponsors would react when I approached them for financial support.  I was so pleased to discover that many members of our small squash community were willing to sponsor and if they were unable to sponsor they wanted to be a part of the tournament in other ways—as billets, as drivers and as squash fans.

Now all the cash for prize money has been raised and I am so excited to report that we will be running an $8,000 event.  Our squash community will experience a diverse group of international squash players competing for the Meadowood Pharmacy Open title.  I admit that around the Winnipeg Winter Club, my home courts, the members have some confusion about what happens when I compete in a professional tournament and I cannot wait to bring the action to their doorstep.

I will definitely keep you up to date with our tournament’s results.

Alana