Dardir's New Zealand Tour Was Pronounced Success

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30143, 29 May 1963, Page 13

Dardir's New Zealand Tour Was Pronounced Success

fVHE impression is often A gained by those watching squash rackets for the first time that the game is, to a large extent, a test of endurance; there can be no doubt that in top-class squash, particularly, fitness is of major importance. But it is far from being everything, as was superbly illustrated by M. Dardir, the visiting professional from Australia, in his recent exhibitions in Christchurch. In January, 1961, Dardir met the great Roshan Khan in the final of an English event, and after 15 minutes’ play the score still stood at 0-0. The match developed into one of the longest known and when Kahn finally triumphed at 9-7 in the fifth game, the players had been in action for two hours and a half Dardir was then in top condition and he has since been more concerned with coaching than playing. He has also been troubled for some time by a back injury.

Yet. against three leading Canterbury opponents, Dardir occupied the court continuously for more than two hours. Those fortunate enough to find viewing room left with a thorough appreciation • of the importance of the ability to control a match by welldirected stroke play and sound, tactical thinking. Dardir seldom found it necessary to move far from centre-court, and he always controlled the play in a remarkable manner while keeping his opponents running. After nine games of singles, his ability to recover from 3-8 down in the fourth game and then beat G A. Davidson and P. L. Mackenzie, playing together, in five games was a revelation. Dardir will return to his Sydney home on Saturday with the certain knowledge that his visit has added a further and very considerable impetus to the game. His coaching times were fully occupied throughout the country; his exhibitions

emphasised to the full the ever-present and growing problem of gallery accommodation at top events. Everyone is agreed that, given the opportunity, he could raise markedly the standard of squash in New Zealand as he has in Australia. It seems probable that he will return for a longer tour next winter. Dardir is the top Australian professional. His part in bringing Australia to the top of world amateur squash is well known, and he is so far ahead of the other professionals as a player that, in the last Australian open championships, he beat the world amateur champion, K. C. Hiscoe, in the final. And he is as firm’ a believer in the need for continuous coaching as he is in his conviction that with Sydney—home of five of the six leading Australians—only a few hours away, New Zealand and Australia must meet every season if the New Zealand standard is to rise significantly.