NUMBER ONE AGAIN …

2005 TOURNAMENTS

Your objectives for the end of 2005?
First of all, to stay at the number one spot as long as possible, of course, that is what I wish for myself, but I really would like to stay there for 12 months. That would be important, I don’t know, maybe it’s a symbolic thing… That’s one of my objectives, because it would be important for me to stay a bit longer, to strengthen my position.

And as far as tournaments are concerned?
My objectives is to do something good at the World Championship once again, and of course, all the intermediary objectives, Qatar, Saudi, etc…

A little analysis of your 2005 season so far?
I think I lacked regularity, and although I don’t think I should be displeased with myself, I won in Pakistan, but before… There is so much concurrency, it’s so hard to win… But still, I made final in New York, semi in Kuwait, final in the Super Series Finals, so overall, it’s OK.

Pakistan was a relief, wasn’t it…
Yes, the victory over there made me feel good, because I was able to win a major while being at the number one spot, and that is a pressure which is still an issue for me…

And you still love your work…
Bet your life I do! I still take enormous pleasure to train, I’ve got less injuries as well. You know, with my coaches, we never fall into a routine, we are always looking for new ways to work, it’s never monotonous. Training is also stimulating. It’s hard, you need a strong discipline, you need to be rigorous, but we also find a fun way to present it, we vary the exercises, even if the basis is always the same…

Let’s talk about your relationship with the French Press. I’m sure you remember that at the time of the last Super Series Finals in London, you pushed to win against Anthony Ricketts whereas you needed only one game, because you didn’t want to lose in front of the French cameras, and that effort cost you the final against Jonathon…

Yes, of course I remember our conversation. I’ve learnt, Framboise, I’m learning every day, and in every department, in my relationship with the Press, with my sponsors, even with my two coaches, I’m always reviewing my life, my options, I always try to improve…

In that instance, I thought it was a good thing to give a bit of spotlight where the TV was concerned, as Squash has so little exposure. It was a good idea to maybe do a bit too much, to be a bit more available than I would normally be, and yes, it may have cost me a bit of energy.

But you don’t regret anything…
No, quite the contrary! We can see the result: we had some great TV reports, and I’m happy with the end result. Yes, it may well have cost me a final, but it may have also brought squash a bit further media-wise. Not to mention that, despite my loss in the final, I still beat the four major guys one after the other in four days (Power, Shabana, Ricketts and Beachill). And there are very few tournaments where you have the possibility of doing that…
 

Now, let’s talk about Peter Nicol…
Well, let’s talk straight here, Peter is one of my idols, and the respect I feel toward him was paralysing me a bit.

But it’s something I’m working on with Franck  We are talking a lot about it, the image of the icon, the role model, all that belongs to the past, I need to give it a good push and close the door on it…

But it is true that for a long time, Peter has been for me a model of professionalism, as well as Jonathon… I inspired myself from their games to build mine, and I probably let myself be submerged, hence that excess of respect towards them. And that’s why that, at this point in time, with Franck more particularly, we study his game, we analyse his videos, etc. And I hope that the next time will be the good one…

He is a good shape at the moment, Peter is…
Peter looks liberated, he wants to play, no pressure, and also he is very fit physically, he’s enjoying his squash again…
  

Franck Carlino analyses Thierry's loss to Peter in the British Open

Let’s talk money… After your first appearance in the top spot, you didn’t get much more sponsorship or advertising contracts. Was it better this time around?
Yes, it got a bit better. First of all, I was able to renegotiate my Technifibre contract, and we are in the process of renegotiating my Adidas one. Those two sponsors are my main income. Where I got a bit more extra-sportive attention was when SIA Conseil, a consulting company chose me to illustrate their brand on a TV commercial. We have about 40 spots, and that was a nice extra. Same thing with Mutant, an insurance company who chose to associate me with their image.

So things are moving the right way…
Yes, it would seem that we are starting to overstep the “squash” limitation, and that we have been able to build the credible image of a champion, of a top athlete. Squash is at last associated with a high performance image, and not just a divertissement/relaxation connotation that stuck to us for years…

So, financially, you’re better off?
Yes, but now, I’ve got to manage it all. In France, when you are freelance, you have so many charges to pay, the deductions, the national insurance, pension, plus taxes, etc… I’m paying around 65% taxes on my salary, that's rather a lot… I do participate in the functioning of the State…

Blimey, that’s an awful lot!
Well, you know, when I started, I received a few grants, via the Ministries or the Counties, so, it’s sort of payback time… I give a little bit back, I now participate in the social functioning of my country. And I don’t have any desire to go elsewhere, like in Switzerland or else, like a lot of French artists/athletes do, I don’t earn enough money for that, but even though I know I could pay less taxes by going away, I do not want to go on exile. Even if the pill is a bit harsh to swallow sometimes, I must admit. But at the end of the day, I have just enough to put a bit aside, and live, that’s the most important.

Do you want to add a last word to finish your “week”?
Yes, I just wanted to say that England has been very important and beneficial in my life. As I was talking to you about my friendship with Scott Handley, thanks to the English Leagues, I had the chance, the privilege to be confronted by some pretty good players, and it allowed me to raise my game.

You know, England is the best place to be to get some competition, in match terms. You just need to do a league week, Premier League, then Super League, then Surrey League, you have three great matches, plus your training, and you’re fine and ready…

Indeed…
So, once again, I would like to thank Scott and all the players who were around at the time, Steve Meads, Mark Cairns, also Nathan Dugan, and let’s not forget Anthony Ricketts and Stewart Boswell who weren’t far away in Reading, with whom we used to play quite often.

And it’s all that English infrastructure that gave me that little push in the right direction I needed, for which I will be forever grateful…