I got a bye in the first round as the top seed so I don’t play until tomorrow morning at 11am. I never really like being seeded first as I prefer to go under the radar, but when you get seeded first you just have to deal with the fact that you will not go unnoticed. Being first before a tournament means nothing. Being first afterwards is the goal.
I went to the Bari Squash Center yesterday and today for a practice hit. The Club is a fantastic Squash Club. Dino, the owner, runs a tight ship. Everything is perfectly clean, in precise position and he is a gracious host. Within 5 minutes he had presented me with not one but two Bari Squash Center shirts and made me feel very much at home.
There are 6 courts, a fitness center, men’s and women’s lockers and showers, a pro shop, and a espresso bar (obligatory in Italy). The walls are covered with squash memorabilia – photos of Dino with various squash stars of the past and present, tournament posters signed by all the players, Italy team photos, and draws from past tournaments played at the center.
My favorite moment of the evening, however, was when a lady named Elena approached me and said – are you John the American? I have something for you! She went away and came back with three shirts from Squash Roma, the Club I am representing at the tournament, for me to wear. I look forward to wearing one in my match tomorrow morning.
Italian 45+ Championships draw
Bari Squash Center courts