Devoy confirms squash entry

Press, 25 May 1984, Page 26

Devoy confirms squash entry

Susan Devoy, the top women’s squash player in the world, will play in the Canterbury championships in Christchurch next month.

As well as playing in the tournament, which will run from June 8 to 10, Devoy will play an exhibition match on the evening of June 7 on the new University of Canterbury glassback court. Her opponent will probably be an A-grade man.

Devoy, who arrived back in New Zealand four weeks ago after her British Open triumph, said from Hamilton last evening that the Canterbury championships would be her last opportunity to accumulate qualifying points for the Adidas championship grand finals. Her next mission will be the Australian circuit, and by the time she crosses the Tasman in mid-June, Devoy will have contested three Adidas championship qualifying tournaments—the Bay of Plenty, North Island, and Canterbury championships.

At the moment, Devoy said, her form was not very good. She was trying to do a lot of running, but her squash was suffering from the lack of constant really hard matches.

“The pressure is the hard thing, not the squash,” she said.

“Every time I go on court people are watching. And they always support the under dog. It’s hard; I’m not supposed to lose.” Devoy, aged 20, said however that her life had changed for the better since

she became the world's No. 1. “Winning the British Open has opened a lot of doors, brought me contracts I didn’t have before. It's given me a lot more recognition, especially in England. Previously I was just someone from New Zealand; now people recognise my name.” This year, Devoy said, it had been a welcome change to get telephone calls from Australian state associations inviting her to play over there. The New South Wales and South Australian associations will provide her with sufficient expenses to cover her air fares just to compete in their state championships.

"Last year I had to fight my way over and couldn't get a good seeding."

The Australian circuit will begin with the New South Wales championships from June 20. Susan is not the only Devoy playing the Adidas national circuit. Three of her brothers. Paul. Julian, and Mark have all made appearances so far. "It's amazing." she said. "Especially Julian, who normally never gives a hoot. This year he seems quite keen and is actually seeded eighth for the North Island champs."

New Zealand's other leading world-ranked woman. Robyn Blackwood, will not be making the trip from Auckland for the Canterbury championships, to be played at the Christchurch Squash Rackets Club.

But at least five other Agraders will be in the women's open draw, including Robyn Hadfield (Blenheim), Pam Doddrell (Thames), and Linda McClure (Wellington). Other possibilities are Donna Gurran (Auckland), and Cheryl Butler (Bay of Plenty).