SQR+ Squash Radio

Round-Up (TBD): #58 PSA Season + College Squash Kickoff with Special Guest Jackson Bragman

Conor and Bill are joined by Jackson Bragman, co-host of the Squash University podcast, for an exciting exploration of squash at both the professional and college levels. They kick off with highlights from recent PSA Tour tournaments in China and Canada, diving into thrilling comebacks and standout achievements.
 
The conversation transitions around the 40-minute mark to focus on college squash. Jackson offers a comprehensive preview of the season, breaking down preseason rankings, key roster changes, and the top contenders for the National Championship. They also discuss the strategies and challenges behind building a championship team.
 
The episode concludes with a deeper dive into recruitment dynamics and the sustainability of college squash programs. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or just curious about the sport, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.
 
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Round-Up (TBD): #58 Open Season: Gohar and Farag Rule the U.S. Open Courts

PJ is back, calling in from his Uber! We break down all the excitement from the Philadelphia U.S. Open, covering everything from on-court drama to the stories behind the scenes. Farag and Gohar put on a show, taking home the titles with dominant performances. We chat about the standout matches, breakout players, and a few ‘misses’ from those who didn’t quite bring their A-game. And don’t miss our quick update on the latest AI refereeing developments happening behind the curtain.
FYI, Conor’s off on a little holiday, so we’ll be taking a short pause—but we’ll be back with fresh content on November 8th!
 
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Round-Up (TBD): #57 Nick Matthew: Commonwealth curveball, Super League and career highlights w Former World #1

Squash legend Nick Matthew joins the podcast to discuss the recent exclusion of squash from the 2026 Commonwealth Games and what it means for the sport. We also dive into the launch of the new English Super League and revisit pivotal moments from Nick’s career, including his 2007 US Open and 2013 World Championship victories, along with some great behind-the-scenes stories.
 
Nick then reflects on his transition from a successful playing career to life after the Tour. We explore his second chapter as a coach, where he's dedicated to mentoring the next generation of squash talent. Finally, Nick shares his insights on the state of English squash and introduces the Nick Matthew Foundation, revealing its mission and future goals
 
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Round-Up (TBD): #56 US Open Rewind: Memories and Predictions with Conor and Bill

Conor and Bill dive into the upcoming U.S. Open, but before jumping into predictions, they take a trip down memory lane, revisiting the 2007 U.S. Open at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City. Before that, they briefly discuss the ongoing West Coast PSA event, the Silicon Valley NetSuite Open.
00:43 PJ's Message
02:23 Consistency and Recording Challenges
09:16 Fan Interactions
14:59 NetSuite Tournament Highlights22:50 US Open Memories and Reflections
29:49 Intense Match and Unexpected Incident
30:53 US Open Qualifying Strategy
31:48 Challenges of Hosting the US Open
33:44 Memorable Moments and Interviews
38:51 Behind the Scenes: Power Issues and Logistics
41:27 US Open in Chicago 2009
46:22 Roseland Ballroom US Open 2007
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51:56 Upcoming US Open Predictions

Round-Up (TBD): #55 PRO-fessionalizing the Sport: RSPA’s CEO Brian Dillman & Rich Wade Lead the Charge

Conor and Bill kick off the episode by previewing our special guests (a must-listen!), followed by a deep dive into recent major PSA Tour tournaments in Qatar and New York. There's plenty of on-court action to catch up on before we welcome our featured guests: Brian Dillman, CEO of the Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA), and Rich Wade, Director of Squash and Padel at the Philadelphia Cricket Club.
 
The discussion focuses on the RSPA's recent transformation from the USPTA and its expansion to include multiple racket sports, with squash playing a pivotal role in line with current industry trends. Brian shares how his past experiences and collaboration with Rich led to the inclusion of squash in the RSPA. The conversation explores the benefits of RSPA’s offerings, such as networking, career development, and certification programs, which span across racket sports to enhance professional opportunities.
 
Rich also reflects on the journey of squash being included and its potential positive impact, particularly with its new status as an ‘Olympic Sport’. The episode concludes with a focus on the professionalization of racket sports and the importance of offering varied certification levels to meet the evolving needs of sports professionals.
 
Welcome Back to the Roundup!
01:23 Special Guests: Rich Wade and Brian Diman
02:31 The Importance of Squash in the RSPA
06:55 Qatar Tournament Highlights
12:33 Women's Squash: Epic Matches and Comebacks
16:08 Commentary and Broadcast Insights
17:19 Player Spotlights and Achievements
19:38 US Open Preview and Exciting Matches
21:59 Egyptian Dominance in Squash
24:06 Future of US Squash Players
27:57 Conclusion and Next Segment SetupThe RSPA's Impact on Squash
29:45 Introduction and Guest Welcome30:17 Rebranding and Expansion of RSPA31:26 Evolution of Racket Sports Association32:13 Benefits of Joining RSPA36:17 Impact on Squash and Coaching43:19 Challenges and Opportunities in Racket Sports46:44 Career Opportunities and Professional Growth52:47 Supporting 15,000 Members: An Overview52:58 Diving into Certification and Sponsorship53:29 Comparing Squash Certifications54:28 Innovative Coaching Approaches55:45 Addressing Professional Shortages57:43 Marketing the RSPA to Squash Pros58:51 Balancing Certifications: RSPA vs. US Squash1:01:54 Off-Court Skills and Professional Development1:04:33 Organizational Structure and Support1:06:55 Future Goals and International Reach
 
 
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Round-Up(TBD): #54 Behind the scenes - conversation with PSA Player Experience Manager, Andy Whipp

Conor and Bill welcome Andy Whipp, former PSA player and current PSA Player Experience Manager ,for a deep dive into the world of professional squash. They explore how Andy is guiding the next generation of elite athletes, the growing Olympic movement in squash, and innovations designed to make the sport more accessible to global audiences.
 
The episode starts with a recap of the National Squash League's exciting 'Legends vs. Young Guns' event and leads into a discussion on how player marketing and behavior are evolving. With LA 2028 on the horizon, the conversation turns to the impact of new nations competing in squash and the possibilities for reshaping the sport with cutting-edge technology and audience-friendly rules.
 
Andy shares stories from his career, including unforgettable encounters with sports stars, and offers insights into how squash can broaden its appeal in the modern sports landscape.
 
03:51 Meet Andy Whipp
05:10 National Squash League Highlights
11:08 Key Moments from the Qatar PSA Tournament
12:45 Insights from the PSA Player Experience
23:12 Squash Marketing and Player Development
33:25 Reflections on Andy Whipp's Career
40:09 Andy’s Journey into Squash Writing
41:37 Personalities Shaping the Squash Community
49:23 Squash’s Future in the Olympics
54:58 Memorable Stories from the Squash World
01:51 How the Olympics Could Transform Squash
 
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Round-Up (TBD): #53 Paris Open Drama, AI Refs & Julian Illingworth: Squash’s Youngest Hall of Famer

This episode is packed! Conor and Bill kick things off with a wrap-up of the 2024 Paris Open, where Mostafa Asal claims back-to-back titles—but not without a bit of controversy along the way. Meanwhile, Nour El Sherbini continues her dominance with another thrilling final. They also dive into the future of refereeing, exploring how AI testing at the event could unlock new possibilities for the sport down the line.
 
Shifting gears, the hosts discuss LA28, providing fresh insights on the Olympic timeline and what the selection criteria might look like. Conor also teases some exciting commercial deals and sponsorships that are about to make headlines in the squash world.
 
And that’s not all! This episode features a special guest, Julian Illingworth, who joins to discuss his remarkable journey to being inducted into the US Squash Hall of Fame. As a nine-time US Men's Champion, Illingworth reflects on his career, from his college days at Yale to his time on the pro circuit.
 
He shares stories of his record-breaking US Open wins, national team experiences, and his approach to training and mental toughness. The episode highlights the key moments and challenges in his storied career.
 
01:18 Welcome Back to the Roundup02:16 Bill's Cold Morning Routine03:21 Paris Platinum Event Recap04:24 Glass Floors Debate08:47 Greatest Squash Match Ever?13:43 Mostafa Asal Controversies19:33 Women's Tournament Highlights23:29 Paris Trophy Ceremony Critique25:35 AI Referees in Squash35:06 Olympic Qualification Challenges45:06 National Squash League Event46:06 Qatar Platinum Event Highlights48:22 Exciting Upcoming PSA Developments
 
49:58 Julian Illingworth joins the show!50:49 Reflecting on Hall of Fame Induction51:51 Breaking Records and Handling Pressure54:11 Coaching and Mental Tricks57:25 Junior Squash and Technique Evolution1:03:43 Choosing Between Soccer and Squash1:06:09 Transition to Yale and College Experience1:13:26 Memorable Matches and College Squash1:14:32 Facing the Princeton Champion1:15:25 Harvard Freshman Year Victory1:16:07 Senior Year Ivy League Title Match1:18:06 Training with Mark Talbot1:20:56 Transition to Professional Squash1:24:21 Memorable Matches and Moments1:29:17 PanAm Games and Unusual Matches1:34:17 Conclusion and Reflections
 
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Round-Up (TBD): #52 Paris 2024: The circus comes to town!

Conor and Bill dive into the unique setup of the 2024 Paris Open, where the tournament is hosted in a circus, with Romain the MC bringing the event to life! While we've previously discussed LA28's potential impact on the sport, the real buzz now is around a recent report from Africa that has everyone talking. Plus, the College Squash Individuals are putting a new spin on tradition by taking place during the ToC, played on the iconic glass courts!
00:35 The Paris Open is here!
01:41 Bill's MC Aspirations and Wardrobe Challenges
09:53 Amanda and Olivia's Performance at Paris Open
11:43 Olivia Weaver's Bold Statement
14:52 Bill's Twitter Bio and Podcast Aspirations
20:16 Bill's Guest Appearance on Another Podcast
28:01 Squash in Crisis: Talent Exodus
34:29 Olympics and Squash Federation Updates
41:57 Upcoming NSL Legends Match
44:21 College Squash Structural Changes
 
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