1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,267 Speaker 1: from News TALKSB. 3 00:00:12,667 --> 00:00:16,027 Speaker 2: Can we squash number one and world number three Paul 4 00:00:16,227 --> 00:00:18,267 Speaker 2: Cole back in the winner's circle. 5 00:00:21,187 --> 00:00:22,507 Speaker 3: First time. 6 00:00:25,227 --> 00:00:26,307 Speaker 4: So many occasions. 7 00:00:26,347 --> 00:00:29,307 Speaker 2: He last started twenty nineteen and. 8 00:00:29,427 --> 00:00:33,547 Speaker 1: Two more previous finals, but he's won in twenty twenty five. 9 00:00:34,107 --> 00:00:37,507 Speaker 2: Here last weekend, Paul Cole became the first New Zealander 10 00:00:37,547 --> 00:00:41,227 Speaker 2: to win the prestigious Cutter Classic, beating Egyptian world number 11 00:00:41,227 --> 00:00:44,467 Speaker 2: one staff for Assal eleven nine six eleven eleven eight 12 00:00:44,587 --> 00:00:47,867 Speaker 2: eleven five in the final. It was his first major 13 00:00:47,947 --> 00:00:51,867 Speaker 2: PSA title since winning the Hong Kong Open in December 14 00:00:51,907 --> 00:00:55,147 Speaker 2: twenty twenty three, and his first win over Mustaffa Asal 15 00:00:55,427 --> 00:00:59,707 Speaker 2: in their last seven meetings. He has relocated to Philadelphia, 16 00:00:59,787 --> 00:01:03,627 Speaker 2: where this weekend he is underway in the US Squash Open, 17 00:01:03,667 --> 00:01:05,907 Speaker 2: where he is the second seed, but he's taken time 18 00:01:05,947 --> 00:01:07,947 Speaker 2: to join Paul. Thanks for taking the time. What a 19 00:01:08,027 --> 00:01:11,907 Speaker 2: win for you and Cutter? Congratulations mate? How significant and 20 00:01:12,107 --> 00:01:14,347 Speaker 2: pleasing a victory was that for you? 21 00:01:15,187 --> 00:01:19,067 Speaker 4: Yeah, chairs mate, it was very a very rewarding victory. 22 00:01:19,587 --> 00:01:22,027 Speaker 3: I felt like I, you know, started the season in 23 00:01:22,067 --> 00:01:25,227 Speaker 3: pretty good shape and I felt like I've been playing 24 00:01:25,227 --> 00:01:27,307 Speaker 3: well for quite a few months now, but it was 25 00:01:27,347 --> 00:01:29,667 Speaker 3: just sort of piecing it together in tournament play and 26 00:01:29,707 --> 00:01:33,387 Speaker 3: getting those performances that requires back to back to beat 27 00:01:33,547 --> 00:01:35,667 Speaker 3: you know, a few top guys in a road to 28 00:01:35,707 --> 00:01:38,747 Speaker 3: win those those big events. So I've actually, like I said, 29 00:01:38,787 --> 00:01:41,107 Speaker 3: been confident my game for a while. So yeah, just 30 00:01:41,107 --> 00:01:44,827 Speaker 3: happy I managed to turn up and clever a performance 31 00:01:44,827 --> 00:01:47,947 Speaker 3: that I was proud of and you know, managed to walk. 32 00:01:47,827 --> 00:01:50,547 Speaker 4: Away the title. So yeah, it was very rewarding when 33 00:01:50,587 --> 00:01:51,147 Speaker 4: that one. 34 00:01:50,987 --> 00:01:54,547 Speaker 2: Thinks, how do you manage yourself across a tournament? Because 35 00:01:54,627 --> 00:01:56,587 Speaker 2: it's not out of course they've got to win every game, 36 00:01:56,667 --> 00:01:58,507 Speaker 2: but do you have to leave some gas in the 37 00:01:58,547 --> 00:02:01,307 Speaker 2: tank for the big games at the at the business 38 00:02:01,467 --> 00:02:02,307 Speaker 2: end of the tournament. 39 00:02:03,427 --> 00:02:04,307 Speaker 4: I think definitely. 40 00:02:05,827 --> 00:02:07,987 Speaker 3: What I sort of learned is not to get too 41 00:02:08,067 --> 00:02:11,547 Speaker 3: wrapped up of my first couple of rounds. Is not 42 00:02:12,027 --> 00:02:14,747 Speaker 3: you know, not exactly how I wanted to play, or 43 00:02:14,747 --> 00:02:16,467 Speaker 3: there's a few things I could work on. You know, 44 00:02:16,827 --> 00:02:19,227 Speaker 3: sometimes that would knock my confidence a bit back in 45 00:02:19,227 --> 00:02:22,067 Speaker 3: the day, but you know, just not to Obviously you 46 00:02:22,107 --> 00:02:24,507 Speaker 3: can need to peek back in the tournaments when you 47 00:02:24,547 --> 00:02:27,427 Speaker 3: want to win these, so if you're not one hundred 48 00:02:27,427 --> 00:02:29,387 Speaker 3: percent in the early rounds, but you're getting the job 49 00:02:29,427 --> 00:02:31,467 Speaker 3: done and you're getting the win, then yeah, I've sort 50 00:02:31,467 --> 00:02:33,027 Speaker 3: of learned not to get too caught up in that. 51 00:02:33,147 --> 00:02:37,147 Speaker 3: Obviously analyze that work, you know, think of things that 52 00:02:37,227 --> 00:02:39,867 Speaker 3: I can get better, but not let it affect my 53 00:02:39,907 --> 00:02:43,587 Speaker 3: confidence too much, because yeah, to operate, you know, five 54 00:02:44,147 --> 00:02:46,507 Speaker 3: matches to one hundred percent is going to be tough. 55 00:02:46,547 --> 00:02:48,707 Speaker 3: So yeah, it's about trying to get the best out 56 00:02:48,747 --> 00:02:50,387 Speaker 3: of you in those finals times, which you know, I 57 00:02:50,467 --> 00:02:52,787 Speaker 3: feel like I've I've got a bit better at doing 58 00:02:53,707 --> 00:02:56,187 Speaker 3: in my my older years. But yeah, it's definitely something 59 00:02:56,227 --> 00:02:59,547 Speaker 3: that I mean, you could definitely play well all four rounds, 60 00:02:59,587 --> 00:03:00,307 Speaker 3: but it's more than. 61 00:03:00,187 --> 00:03:01,067 Speaker 4: If you're don't that. 62 00:03:01,187 --> 00:03:04,787 Speaker 3: It's not not panic stations or you know, anything to 63 00:03:04,827 --> 00:03:05,707 Speaker 3: worry about too much. 64 00:03:06,507 --> 00:03:08,627 Speaker 2: For Asyle, the world number one, he's been a fairly 65 00:03:08,667 --> 00:03:11,987 Speaker 2: regular opponent for you. Now you've beaten him seven times. 66 00:03:12,627 --> 00:03:16,067 Speaker 2: What do you have to do particularly well to beat him? 67 00:03:16,987 --> 00:03:20,747 Speaker 3: Yeah, a lot of of him as comes down to execution. 68 00:03:20,907 --> 00:03:25,347 Speaker 3: I think if I execute my game plan and you know, 69 00:03:25,427 --> 00:03:26,747 Speaker 3: keep the ball out of the middle of the court, 70 00:03:26,787 --> 00:03:30,147 Speaker 3: then I'm very confident. But He's so good that if 71 00:03:30,187 --> 00:03:32,947 Speaker 3: you sort of leave the ball in the middle of 72 00:03:32,947 --> 00:03:34,707 Speaker 3: the court or you give him an opening, he's very 73 00:03:34,707 --> 00:03:37,587 Speaker 3: good at finishing the ball or straight away. 74 00:03:37,627 --> 00:03:40,667 Speaker 4: You know, he doesn't really miss many opportunities. 75 00:03:40,707 --> 00:03:43,827 Speaker 3: So I mean, you know, if you sort of start 76 00:03:43,827 --> 00:03:45,787 Speaker 3: a bit slow, and you know, you give him four 77 00:03:45,907 --> 00:03:47,827 Speaker 3: or five opportunities and you can be four or five 78 00:03:47,867 --> 00:03:49,987 Speaker 3: love down before you even know it type thing. So 79 00:03:50,907 --> 00:03:53,147 Speaker 3: a lot of of him. I find his execution and 80 00:03:53,947 --> 00:03:55,547 Speaker 3: I sort of know how to play him. I feel 81 00:03:55,587 --> 00:03:57,547 Speaker 3: pretty calm from the game plan. But like I said, 82 00:03:58,067 --> 00:04:00,067 Speaker 3: you know, you can get away with missing a few 83 00:04:00,107 --> 00:04:02,187 Speaker 3: targets against some guys, but with him, he seems to 84 00:04:02,187 --> 00:04:05,067 Speaker 3: have a really good ability to put the ball away 85 00:04:05,107 --> 00:04:07,667 Speaker 3: straight away. So yeah, a lot of it comes down 86 00:04:07,747 --> 00:04:11,347 Speaker 3: to just, yeah, being very disciplined, very focused, and very 87 00:04:11,347 --> 00:04:13,147 Speaker 3: aware of what's going on. You know, if I missed 88 00:04:13,187 --> 00:04:16,227 Speaker 3: my target once, don't let it happen three or four 89 00:04:16,267 --> 00:04:18,587 Speaker 3: times in a row and let it snowball on me, 90 00:04:18,667 --> 00:04:21,027 Speaker 3: so which I think has definitely happened in the past, 91 00:04:21,067 --> 00:04:24,507 Speaker 3: you know, playing him. So it's again it's just staying 92 00:04:24,947 --> 00:04:27,547 Speaker 3: mentally focused and calm throughout the whole match and just 93 00:04:27,627 --> 00:04:29,947 Speaker 3: knowing exactly what I want to do, which and then 94 00:04:30,027 --> 00:04:33,987 Speaker 3: just executing, which I mean sounds easy than it is sometimes. 95 00:04:33,987 --> 00:04:38,147 Speaker 3: But yeah, like I said, I'm very confident if I 96 00:04:38,187 --> 00:04:40,587 Speaker 3: played well that I can beat them. It's just yeah, 97 00:04:40,627 --> 00:04:43,547 Speaker 3: getting those performances more regularly and finals times. 98 00:04:44,227 --> 00:04:47,307 Speaker 2: You won the London Classic in early September, but then 99 00:04:47,427 --> 00:04:50,307 Speaker 2: a week later at the Egyptian Open, you lost to 100 00:04:50,627 --> 00:04:55,507 Speaker 2: world number two hundred and fifty two Adam Howaal what 101 00:04:55,667 --> 00:04:57,787 Speaker 2: happened that day? 102 00:04:57,907 --> 00:05:02,907 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean I was very frustrated to myself after that. 103 00:05:03,867 --> 00:05:07,627 Speaker 3: Definitely let a big opportunity slip and I just didn't 104 00:05:07,787 --> 00:05:13,707 Speaker 3: didn't prepare fully, and I mean I just let I 105 00:05:13,787 --> 00:05:17,347 Speaker 3: just took a few things lightly, which you know, which 106 00:05:17,387 --> 00:05:20,267 Speaker 3: I was definitely the most frustrated at because you know, 107 00:05:20,587 --> 00:05:23,667 Speaker 3: what I hold myself to and my values is a 108 00:05:23,667 --> 00:05:27,267 Speaker 3: lot about professionalism and turning up one hundred percent every time. 109 00:05:27,307 --> 00:05:30,307 Speaker 3: And I mean I definitely, I definitely was there, but 110 00:05:30,707 --> 00:05:32,227 Speaker 3: there's a lot of things on the day that just 111 00:05:32,267 --> 00:05:34,547 Speaker 3: went against me. And it was one of those days 112 00:05:34,547 --> 00:05:36,707 Speaker 3: where it just I still don't even know how I 113 00:05:36,747 --> 00:05:39,267 Speaker 3: lost the match, to be honest, It's just the ref 114 00:05:39,307 --> 00:05:41,947 Speaker 3: went against me. Everything just seemed to go against me 115 00:05:41,987 --> 00:05:43,947 Speaker 3: that day, and it was just like the perfect storm 116 00:05:44,107 --> 00:05:46,827 Speaker 3: to lose, and my coach, you know, told me not 117 00:05:46,827 --> 00:05:49,547 Speaker 3: to even worry about it. Basically, it's one of those 118 00:05:49,547 --> 00:05:51,787 Speaker 3: things that you know, we didn't even analyze. 119 00:05:51,827 --> 00:05:52,147 Speaker 4: Really. 120 00:05:52,307 --> 00:05:54,987 Speaker 3: We analyzed, you know, the preparation and stuff, but the 121 00:05:55,067 --> 00:05:56,787 Speaker 3: match itself, it was just sort of one of those 122 00:05:57,387 --> 00:06:00,187 Speaker 3: perfect storms. And he said, look, I mean, we don't 123 00:06:00,227 --> 00:06:02,347 Speaker 3: normally do this, but just forget about it, Like it 124 00:06:02,427 --> 00:06:05,747 Speaker 3: was so bad that it's not worth trying to learn 125 00:06:05,787 --> 00:06:08,907 Speaker 3: too much. So, yeah, it was pretty tough, though, you know, 126 00:06:09,107 --> 00:06:12,547 Speaker 3: I went home and did some you know, deep thinking 127 00:06:12,587 --> 00:06:16,427 Speaker 3: and to get myself back to competition level a week later. 128 00:06:16,667 --> 00:06:18,987 Speaker 3: Was a lot of workmen into it, which made the 129 00:06:19,427 --> 00:06:20,307 Speaker 3: victory even sweeter. 130 00:06:20,467 --> 00:06:21,987 Speaker 2: Yeah, it looked like it because there was a lot 131 00:06:22,027 --> 00:06:24,707 Speaker 2: of emotion. I know, you win tournaments, you're you're very happy, 132 00:06:24,747 --> 00:06:27,027 Speaker 2: but there was a lot of emotion when you won 133 00:06:27,107 --> 00:06:30,947 Speaker 2: that match. Was the winning Qatar even more special. Having 134 00:06:30,987 --> 00:06:35,347 Speaker 2: rebounded from that disappointment in Egypt, I. 135 00:06:35,467 --> 00:06:39,947 Speaker 3: Mate hugely rewarding just just bouncing back, you know, I 136 00:06:39,987 --> 00:06:43,107 Speaker 3: was actually very very nervous obviously in the first couple 137 00:06:43,147 --> 00:06:43,507 Speaker 3: of rounds. 138 00:06:43,827 --> 00:06:45,347 Speaker 4: You know, tough, tough draw, So. 139 00:06:47,387 --> 00:06:50,627 Speaker 3: I was, Yeah, I was shit scared mate, to be honest, 140 00:06:51,787 --> 00:06:54,827 Speaker 3: to go out in another first round because I was 141 00:06:54,827 --> 00:06:57,587 Speaker 3: playing a guy who I could have lost to quite 142 00:06:57,587 --> 00:07:00,267 Speaker 3: easily first round. He was at a very tough draw. 143 00:07:00,347 --> 00:07:03,227 Speaker 3: So to get through like I was, I was, you know, 144 00:07:04,067 --> 00:07:08,027 Speaker 3: I was scared, mate. So to to bounce back, get 145 00:07:08,067 --> 00:07:10,067 Speaker 3: through those matches and then build into you know, the 146 00:07:10,067 --> 00:07:12,707 Speaker 3: best performance I've put in the year was super rewarding. 147 00:07:12,867 --> 00:07:14,547 Speaker 3: And just the work that went in the week before, 148 00:07:14,587 --> 00:07:17,027 Speaker 3: you know, it was tough week for me. I put 149 00:07:17,107 --> 00:07:19,627 Speaker 3: myself through the ring and just to you know, get 150 00:07:19,627 --> 00:07:21,427 Speaker 3: my head in the right space. So yeah, it took 151 00:07:21,467 --> 00:07:24,067 Speaker 3: a lot of effort, and like I said, just to 152 00:07:24,067 --> 00:07:26,187 Speaker 3: turn out a performance like that a week later, I 153 00:07:26,227 --> 00:07:28,227 Speaker 3: was very proud of myself to do that. And obviously 154 00:07:28,667 --> 00:07:31,627 Speaker 3: winning is a you know, everyone wants to do that, 155 00:07:31,667 --> 00:07:34,427 Speaker 3: but just to turn up and operate at my best, 156 00:07:34,427 --> 00:07:36,027 Speaker 3: I was very proud of myself for that. 157 00:07:36,907 --> 00:07:39,587 Speaker 2: You've been in the world's top ten now for over 158 00:07:39,627 --> 00:07:41,867 Speaker 2: a decade, You've been in the top five for the 159 00:07:41,947 --> 00:07:45,347 Speaker 2: last six years. How much has your game changed over 160 00:07:45,387 --> 00:07:45,867 Speaker 2: that time. 161 00:07:47,067 --> 00:07:50,187 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean it's to be honest, that sounds crazy 162 00:07:50,187 --> 00:07:53,387 Speaker 3: to me to think about, but yeah, I mean my 163 00:07:53,747 --> 00:07:57,547 Speaker 3: game's still evolving. You know, as we speak at something 164 00:07:57,587 --> 00:08:00,907 Speaker 3: I enjoy about being an athlete, being able to constantly 165 00:08:01,587 --> 00:08:04,027 Speaker 3: look for areas to improve yourself. I think that's, you know, 166 00:08:04,147 --> 00:08:06,187 Speaker 3: one of the joys I get out of being an athlete, 167 00:08:06,507 --> 00:08:10,827 Speaker 3: just constantly evaluating how we can get better and learning 168 00:08:10,907 --> 00:08:15,187 Speaker 3: and learning new tricks, learning new fitness things, mental things. 169 00:08:15,867 --> 00:08:17,507 Speaker 4: There's just so many doors to open it. 170 00:08:18,187 --> 00:08:22,107 Speaker 3: It's what I find the most exciting about being an athlete, 171 00:08:22,147 --> 00:08:24,107 Speaker 3: Like I said, and I sort of lost that when 172 00:08:24,107 --> 00:08:26,507 Speaker 3: I went to one, a lot of things got result focused. 173 00:08:26,587 --> 00:08:29,827 Speaker 3: So just taking my learnings from that and even if 174 00:08:29,827 --> 00:08:31,907 Speaker 3: I get back to you know, two or one in 175 00:08:31,947 --> 00:08:33,547 Speaker 3: the world then just to sort of keep that same 176 00:08:33,587 --> 00:08:36,467 Speaker 3: mindset of operating at the top, but you know, never 177 00:08:36,507 --> 00:08:38,947 Speaker 3: being satisfied and just trying to trying to get better 178 00:08:38,987 --> 00:08:39,427 Speaker 3: every day. 179 00:08:39,827 --> 00:08:42,787 Speaker 2: So did being world number one almost in some ways 180 00:08:42,827 --> 00:08:44,347 Speaker 2: become a bit of a burden to you? 181 00:08:47,067 --> 00:08:47,227 Speaker 4: Yes? 182 00:08:47,307 --> 00:08:50,347 Speaker 3: And no. I think it was the best time in 183 00:08:50,347 --> 00:08:52,907 Speaker 3: my life. I mean I still pinch myself. You know, 184 00:08:52,987 --> 00:08:57,187 Speaker 3: I'm great mates with Israel Dag now, which is you know, 185 00:08:57,307 --> 00:08:59,067 Speaker 3: someone who I grew up watching as an All Black 186 00:08:59,067 --> 00:09:01,787 Speaker 3: and a massive fanboy of them, and you know, now 187 00:09:01,787 --> 00:09:05,667 Speaker 3: we're good mates and just stuff like that was very overwhelming. 188 00:09:05,827 --> 00:09:10,027 Speaker 3: I think for me, it was pretty surreal to be 189 00:09:10,107 --> 00:09:12,387 Speaker 3: able to, you know, pick up the phone and call 190 00:09:12,467 --> 00:09:15,507 Speaker 3: someone like that. And I think it just got a 191 00:09:15,507 --> 00:09:17,027 Speaker 3: lot to me. And it was sort of got a 192 00:09:17,067 --> 00:09:19,867 Speaker 3: lot results based, you know. Obviously, when you get to 193 00:09:19,907 --> 00:09:21,827 Speaker 3: the top, it's like you're getting all this stuff thrown 194 00:09:21,867 --> 00:09:24,467 Speaker 3: at you and you sort of don't want it to stop, 195 00:09:24,507 --> 00:09:25,867 Speaker 3: and you think, you know, you just got to keep 196 00:09:25,907 --> 00:09:28,507 Speaker 3: winning for that stuff to keep happening. And that definitely 197 00:09:28,507 --> 00:09:30,747 Speaker 3: got a lot for me. Definitely was something I wasn't 198 00:09:30,827 --> 00:09:34,227 Speaker 3: used to. It wasn't equipped to handle. So I think 199 00:09:34,227 --> 00:09:36,507 Speaker 3: I learned a lot from that time though, and I 200 00:09:36,547 --> 00:09:38,547 Speaker 3: think hopefully if I get back there, then I'll be 201 00:09:38,587 --> 00:09:41,307 Speaker 3: better equipped to handle it. But at that time, it 202 00:09:41,347 --> 00:09:43,427 Speaker 3: was huge, you know, a huge thing for me and 203 00:09:44,187 --> 00:09:46,787 Speaker 3: very overwhelming with a lot, a lot of emotions and 204 00:09:46,907 --> 00:09:49,307 Speaker 3: everything just became very hard, you know, to compete, to 205 00:09:49,347 --> 00:09:52,427 Speaker 3: play and think clearly, it was a lot harder. So, 206 00:09:53,147 --> 00:09:56,227 Speaker 3: like I said, you know, lessons learned, and it's a 207 00:09:56,227 --> 00:09:57,987 Speaker 3: good experience to have I think it's put me in 208 00:09:58,307 --> 00:10:00,507 Speaker 3: a bit of shape for playing finals and stuff. Now 209 00:10:00,547 --> 00:10:03,227 Speaker 3: I definitely handle the situation better. So hopefully we can 210 00:10:03,267 --> 00:10:05,667 Speaker 3: get back there and you know, prove to myself that 211 00:10:05,987 --> 00:10:07,467 Speaker 3: I can, you know, belong there. 212 00:10:07,587 --> 00:10:11,507 Speaker 2: Indeed, your trademark across your career has always been your 213 00:10:11,907 --> 00:10:16,867 Speaker 2: relentless chasing down of lost causes, your full length dives 214 00:10:17,227 --> 00:10:19,907 Speaker 2: across the court. Are you still doing that as often 215 00:10:19,987 --> 00:10:20,947 Speaker 2: as you always have? 216 00:10:22,547 --> 00:10:27,627 Speaker 4: Yeah? Yeah, Unfortunately, my body, my body. 217 00:10:27,867 --> 00:10:29,987 Speaker 3: If everyone asked me how I was coming off Katar, 218 00:10:30,067 --> 00:10:31,907 Speaker 3: and I was actually right physically, you know, but I 219 00:10:31,907 --> 00:10:35,067 Speaker 3: had no skin left on my fingers, my toes and. 220 00:10:35,027 --> 00:10:36,987 Speaker 4: My knees were all shredded of skin. 221 00:10:37,067 --> 00:10:39,307 Speaker 3: And I was like, my muscles are fine, but far 222 00:10:39,387 --> 00:10:43,067 Speaker 3: out putting my shoes on, my fingers floody bleeded. So 223 00:10:43,227 --> 00:10:46,547 Speaker 3: just stuff like that. It comes from the dives and stuff. 224 00:10:46,587 --> 00:10:49,307 Speaker 3: But again, it's my character, It's who I am, and 225 00:10:50,387 --> 00:10:52,867 Speaker 3: I don't even think about it, mate, It just happens 226 00:10:52,867 --> 00:10:56,307 Speaker 3: when I get desperate on there. So yeah, unfortunately, still 227 00:10:56,307 --> 00:10:57,987 Speaker 3: doing it at the ripe old age of thirty three. 228 00:10:58,067 --> 00:10:59,907 Speaker 2: Oh good on you, mate. May it go on for 229 00:11:00,267 --> 00:11:02,627 Speaker 2: a wee while longer. You've got the US Open obviously 230 00:11:02,667 --> 00:11:05,147 Speaker 2: to play from this weekend. Then I look at the 231 00:11:05,227 --> 00:11:08,827 Speaker 2: Golden Platinum let events coming up. There's the China Open 232 00:11:08,907 --> 00:11:12,147 Speaker 2: next month, then the Hong Kong Open in December, before 233 00:11:12,507 --> 00:11:14,107 Speaker 2: the PSA tour, it takes a break for a month 234 00:11:14,227 --> 00:11:17,747 Speaker 2: or so. There are other events too with Farley's prize 235 00:11:17,747 --> 00:11:21,347 Speaker 2: money attached to them. How selective are you now about 236 00:11:21,347 --> 00:11:22,587 Speaker 2: the tournaments that you play in? 237 00:11:24,307 --> 00:11:26,507 Speaker 4: Very it definitely. 238 00:11:27,747 --> 00:11:30,947 Speaker 3: One it'll be you know, obviously, first of all, I 239 00:11:31,027 --> 00:11:33,867 Speaker 3: need to peak at these big events, so I will 240 00:11:33,867 --> 00:11:38,227 Speaker 3: select tournaments that either help or basically just don't hinder 241 00:11:38,267 --> 00:11:41,907 Speaker 3: those events. So I will, you know, not play anything 242 00:11:41,947 --> 00:11:44,467 Speaker 3: pre US Open. There was a tournament in San Francisco 243 00:11:44,507 --> 00:11:46,547 Speaker 3: I could have played, but just with the travel and 244 00:11:46,627 --> 00:11:49,307 Speaker 3: jet lag, it just definitely wouldn't be operating at my 245 00:11:49,347 --> 00:11:52,027 Speaker 3: best at either sanfran and US so we decided to 246 00:11:52,027 --> 00:11:55,387 Speaker 3: skip that one. And then, yeah, so it's about you know, 247 00:11:55,467 --> 00:11:57,587 Speaker 3: preparing and peaking at those big ones and then just 248 00:11:57,667 --> 00:12:01,787 Speaker 3: choosing tournaments that I enjoy. So just trying to obviously 249 00:12:01,867 --> 00:12:05,027 Speaker 3: enjoy my last few years on tour. And you know 250 00:12:05,067 --> 00:12:07,067 Speaker 3: that's why you know, I decided to go to China. 251 00:12:07,267 --> 00:12:10,107 Speaker 3: I love Asia. I love the Asia Tour and I thought, 252 00:12:10,187 --> 00:12:11,707 Speaker 3: you know, it's a new one that I haven't been to, 253 00:12:11,867 --> 00:12:14,187 Speaker 3: so you know, a bit of excitement for me. But yeah, 254 00:12:14,267 --> 00:12:17,387 Speaker 3: just trying to enjoy my time on tour and choose 255 00:12:17,387 --> 00:12:19,587 Speaker 3: tournaments I want to go to and not you know, 256 00:12:19,667 --> 00:12:22,027 Speaker 3: just chasing points because it's a weekend try list or 257 00:12:22,067 --> 00:12:25,187 Speaker 3: something like that. Just yeah, more choosing what I want 258 00:12:25,227 --> 00:12:28,667 Speaker 3: to do and making sure my body's fresh and energetic 259 00:12:28,747 --> 00:12:29,787 Speaker 3: going into these majors. 260 00:12:29,987 --> 00:12:32,147 Speaker 2: So I guess the big question is will your schedule 261 00:12:32,267 --> 00:12:35,907 Speaker 2: allow you to come home to defend your New Zealand 262 00:12:35,947 --> 00:12:37,427 Speaker 2: Squash Open title in March? 263 00:12:38,187 --> 00:12:40,627 Speaker 3: Hey, that's top of the list that one. I thenk 264 00:12:40,667 --> 00:12:43,987 Speaker 3: it goes will Champs, New Zeale and Open, so one 265 00:12:44,067 --> 00:12:45,107 Speaker 3: hundred percent be there. 266 00:12:44,987 --> 00:12:49,027 Speaker 2: For that brilliant stuff. And squash is an Olympic sport 267 00:12:49,107 --> 00:12:51,787 Speaker 2: next time in twenty twenty eight in Los Angeles. It's 268 00:12:51,827 --> 00:12:55,067 Speaker 2: becoming an Olympian a major motivator for you as you 269 00:12:55,147 --> 00:12:57,307 Speaker 2: perhaps reached the back end of your career. 270 00:12:58,107 --> 00:12:58,987 Speaker 4: Yeah, it was huge, man. 271 00:12:59,067 --> 00:13:02,507 Speaker 3: Obviously you know I'm getting towards the end of my career, 272 00:13:02,627 --> 00:13:05,067 Speaker 3: so that was a huge motivator. And to be honest, 273 00:13:05,107 --> 00:13:08,907 Speaker 3: It's been amazing to be part of the an Olympic cycle. 274 00:13:09,907 --> 00:13:12,867 Speaker 3: My training has changed, but people I'm working with added 275 00:13:12,867 --> 00:13:16,307 Speaker 3: some new guys to my team, which is again bringing 276 00:13:16,347 --> 00:13:19,387 Speaker 3: new stuff to me, new lessons, new things I can learn. 277 00:13:19,507 --> 00:13:22,227 Speaker 3: So it's been awesome made it has been such a 278 00:13:22,267 --> 00:13:26,107 Speaker 3: little energy boost on the side for me to think 279 00:13:26,107 --> 00:13:28,787 Speaker 3: about that preparation of a four year Olympic campaign. I've 280 00:13:28,787 --> 00:13:31,747 Speaker 3: obviously heard, you know, some of my mates speak about it, 281 00:13:31,787 --> 00:13:33,667 Speaker 3: but never got to be a part of one. So 282 00:13:33,747 --> 00:13:36,547 Speaker 3: yet to have a four year Olympic campaign's pretty cool. 283 00:13:36,547 --> 00:13:39,187 Speaker 3: And you know, going through the selection and qualifying process 284 00:13:39,227 --> 00:13:42,627 Speaker 3: and just feeling that pressure and excitement that they all 285 00:13:42,667 --> 00:13:44,107 Speaker 3: have about it is really cool. 286 00:13:44,187 --> 00:13:47,627 Speaker 2: Yeah, very cool. Well, congracts on the Cutter Classic when 287 00:13:47,707 --> 00:13:50,187 Speaker 2: Paul all the best in the US Open and for 288 00:13:50,227 --> 00:13:51,547 Speaker 2: the rest of the year as well. Look forward to 289 00:13:51,587 --> 00:13:54,467 Speaker 2: seeing you back here in March for the New Zealand Open. 290 00:13:54,507 --> 00:13:56,547 Speaker 2: Thanks so much for taking the time this afternoon. 291 00:13:57,067 --> 00:14:00,227 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 292 00:14:00,347 --> 00:14:03,627 Speaker 1: to News Talk s B weekends from midday, or follow 293 00:14:03,667 --> 00:14:05,307 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.