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THE SAUDI BLOG: James Willstrop
We're hoping to get one player, coach, official, etc to blog their way through each major tournament,
the format may change, maybe allowing the 'blogger' to post directly, but for starters, here's James Willstrop from Saudi Arabia ...

#2, Saturday 26th:

Yet another tournament is coming to an end. Many of the players are still around getting ready for next week, but it all quietens down after the hustle and bustle of the earlier rounds.

The cafe where the players have been refuelling and socialising have been trying hard to cope with demands of the squash. They seem to have been slightly overawed by the 3000 requests a day for "large bottle of still water" from us but they managed. They are beginning to understand that squash is pretty hard in the Saudi heat and the water is well needed!

A few of the players decided to venture on to the sands to play a bit of volleyball yesterday. Apparently many of the boys were showing similar traits on the volleyball court as the squash court, Pilley was ruthless and nonchalant while Azlan thought he was playing tennis. There were some bruised arms and a few sunburnt shoulders, but it was a welcome diversion from the squash court..

The day before was a boat trip, where incredibly Joey and Adrian got lost at sea for some time, due to the jet ski conking out, so they said. They were also seen trying to film a video diary which could be interesting watching coming from two squash celebrities..

The top four are to play for final spots tonight. There is Live TV here in Saudi, going out at peak times( try to comprehend that happening in England), and the screaming fans of Amr and Ramy. Should be an exciting evening.

#1, Friday 25th:

Just killing some time on the computer in Saudi is one of the players' favourite things to do at tournaments. I sometimes think back to the times at tournaments when there WAS NO wireless.

God only knows what we would do if that were ever to happen now. The laptop has become an extension of the arm for most of us, which is pathetic. It's verging on the unhealthy when we all sit in the tournament office with the headphones on ignoring each other, but this is the world now.

It has its good points: the ease with which you can keep in touch with people back home is one of these ... facebook is becoming a big thing with some of the boys, people keep going on about it. I'm apprehensive about getting involved! Maybe we can talk to each other at some stage....

One of the main concerns for Alex Gough and Lee Beachill has been to gather the votes from the boys to vote Lee on to the board of PSA. They both were working hard to get votes in on time, we will see what the outcome is. Interestingly, Lee is always talkative at PSA meetings, contrary to his normal behaviour, and outspoken.

He has had the potential to be a board member for some time and now seems the perfect time since he is entering old age. All this has prompted discussion from several of us this week.

There have been some good ideas flying about in terms of pushing the association and the game forward, and many of us feel there is a lot more that could be done with such a brilliant product. Lee and Alex, as present players will hopefully provide a liaison between the players and PSA to enable better communication, and hopefully these good ideas can come to fruition.

We're moving on to the quarter final stages now. The last sixteens will be finished tonight. The hall where the court is is pretty warm; the crowd are certainly on the side of the Egyptian players, as I speak the crowd are shouting and screaming for Wael against Olli.

The atmosphere is great and we're enjoying our time in Saudi. Ziad is a great support to our game and we are grateful for this, and we will all be trying very hard to win here....