Canary Wharf Classic sold out again with eight weeks to go
By LEE HORTON – Squash Mad London Editor
THE 2014 Canary Wharf Squash Classic is a complete sell-out – an astonishing eight weeks before London’s favourite squash tournament takes place.
This PSA World Tour International 50 event takes place at the East Wintergarden from March 24-28 and a delighted Tournament Director Tim Garner made the announcement as he put the “sold out” signs on the event website.
He said: “This is wonderful news, and proves just how popular the tournament has become down the years. A handful of places are still available for the corporate hospitality section, and we are setting up a waiting list should any tickets be returned.
“This is our 11th year of staging the Canary Wharf Classic and there so many ingredients that make it so successful. First and foremost is our relationship with Canary Wharf Group plc, which provides one of the most stunning venues anywhere in the world of squash.
“The East Wintergarden is the perfect location for the glass court and a full-house venue always provides a wonderful atmosphere. In turn, that inspires the greatest players in the world to produce squash of the highest calibre.”
The announcement came hot on the heels after finals day of the Tournament of Champions in New York, which Garner believes is the only other squash event in the world to match Canary Wharf’s popularity.
He added: “The ToC is probably the jewel in the crown in squash, with a magnificent venue at Grand Central Station. As far as I am aware, it is the only other major squash event that sells out every ticket every day.”
Garner kept a close eye on the results from New York as Egyptian ace Amr Shabana beat England’s Nick Matthew and James Willstrop, then swept past Gregory Gaultier in the final.
The Frenchman, runner-up to Matthew in the 2010 Canary Wharf final, needed to win to hold the world No.1 position outright and will now share top spot in the February rankings with Matthew.
Picture by Steve Line (SquashPics) – courtesy of Canary Wharf Squash website