Jonathon Power
Encyclopedia
Jonathon Tyler Power is a retired professional squash
player from Canada. In 1999, he became the first North American squash player to reach the World No. 1 ranking. He won 36 top-level squash events during his career, including the World Open in 1998, and the British Open
in 1999.
Power began playing squash at the age of seven and turned professional at age 16. After joining the Professional Squash Association
(PSA) Tour in May 1991, he went on to win 36 PSA tournaments, and appeared in 58 finals. Career highlights included winning the World Open (1998), the British Open (1999), the Super Series
Finals (2003 & 2005), the PSA Masters
(2001, 2002 & 2005), the Tournament of Champions
(1996, 1999, 2000 & 2002), and the men's singles Gold Medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
Power is considered to be one of the greatest shotmakers in the history of the game, having perfected a wide range of drop shots and deception shots. He was often a crowd favourite, partly because of his emotional outbursts and verbal exchanges with referees, which sometimes led to him being compared with John McEnroe
. Power's rivalry with Britain
's Peter Nicol
was one of the most famous and extended in the history of the game.
In January 2006, Power returned to the World No. 1 ranking, four-and-a-half years after the previous time he was ranked in the top spot (marking the longest gap between periods of holding the World No. 1 ranking of any player in history). He lost the No. 1 ranking in February 2006 to David Palmer
, but regained it again in 1 March 2006. One day later, on 2 March, Power announced his retirement from professional squash. His wife, Sita, gave birth to their daughter named "Parker."
Power played for Canada at the 2007 and 2009 World Team Championships. He defeated several highly ranked players and showed he is still competitive at the world level. He also won the 2008 Canadian Championships, defeating Shahier Razik
in the final.
Squash (sport)
Squash is a high-speed racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball...
player from Canada. In 1999, he became the first North American squash player to reach the World No. 1 ranking. He won 36 top-level squash events during his career, including the World Open in 1998, and the British Open
British Open Squash Championships
The British Open Squash Championships is the oldest and most established tournament in the game of squash. It is widely considered to be one of the two most prestigious tournaments in the game, alongside the World Open The British...
in 1999.
Power began playing squash at the age of seven and turned professional at age 16. After joining the Professional Squash Association
Professional Squash Association
The Professional Squash Association is the governing body for the men's professional squash circuit. The body operates in a similar fashion to the ATP for tennis. The PSA World Tour involves over 100 tournaments annually all over the globe...
(PSA) Tour in May 1991, he went on to win 36 PSA tournaments, and appeared in 58 finals. Career highlights included winning the World Open (1998), the British Open (1999), the Super Series
PSA Super Series
The PSA World Series is a series of men's squash tournaments which are part of the Professional Squash Association World Tour. The PSA World Series touranaments are some of the most prestigious events on the men's tour...
Finals (2003 & 2005), the PSA Masters
PSA Masters
The PSA Masters is a prestigious squash tournament which is one of the premier events on the Professional Squash Association Tour. It is the only PSA Tour event which is open exclusively to the top 32 players in the world rankings, and is part of the PSA World Series.From 2000-01, the event was...
(2001, 2002 & 2005), the Tournament of Champions
Tournament of Champions (squash)
The Tournament of Champions is an annual international squash championship held in New York City. In recent years, the event has been held at New York's Grand Central Terminal, in a specially-constructed four-walled glass court in the Vanderbilt Hall....
(1996, 1999, 2000 & 2002), and the men's singles Gold Medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
Power is considered to be one of the greatest shotmakers in the history of the game, having perfected a wide range of drop shots and deception shots. He was often a crowd favourite, partly because of his emotional outbursts and verbal exchanges with referees, which sometimes led to him being compared with John McEnroe
John McEnroe
John Patrick McEnroe, Jr. is a former world no. 1 professional tennis player from the United States. During his career, he won seven Grand Slam singles titles , nine Grand Slam men's doubles titles, and one Grand Slam mixed doubles title...
. Power's rivalry with Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's Peter Nicol
Peter Nicol
Peter Nicol, MBE , is a former professional squash player from the United Kingdom, who represented first Scotland and then England in international squash. In 1998, while still competing for Scotland, he became the first player from the UK to hold the World No. 1 ranking...
was one of the most famous and extended in the history of the game.
In January 2006, Power returned to the World No. 1 ranking, four-and-a-half years after the previous time he was ranked in the top spot (marking the longest gap between periods of holding the World No. 1 ranking of any player in history). He lost the No. 1 ranking in February 2006 to David Palmer
David Palmer (squash player)
David Palmer is a professional squash player from Australia. He won the Super Series finals in 2002, the World Open in 2002 and 2006; the British Open in 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2008; and the Australian Open in 2008. He attained World No...
, but regained it again in 1 March 2006. One day later, on 2 March, Power announced his retirement from professional squash. His wife, Sita, gave birth to their daughter named "Parker."
Power played for Canada at the 2007 and 2009 World Team Championships. He defeated several highly ranked players and showed he is still competitive at the world level. He also won the 2008 Canadian Championships, defeating Shahier Razik
Shahier Razik
Shahier Razik, is a professional squash player who represented Canada. He reached a career-high world ranking of World No. 20 in June 2008.- External links :...
in the final.
World Open final appearances
| Wins (1) | ||
| Year | Opponent in final | Score in final |
| 1998 | Peter Nicol Peter Nicol Peter Nicol, MBE , is a former professional squash player from the United Kingdom, who represented first Scotland and then England in international squash. In 1998, while still competing for Scotland, he became the first player from the UK to hold the World No. 1 ranking... |
15–11, 15–12, 15–12 |
British Open final appearances
| Wins (1) | ||
| Year | Opponent in final | Score in final |
| 1999 | Peter Nicol Peter Nicol Peter Nicol, MBE , is a former professional squash player from the United Kingdom, who represented first Scotland and then England in international squash. In 1998, while still competing for Scotland, he became the first player from the UK to hold the World No. 1 ranking... |
15–17, 15–12 (retired) |
Commonwealth Games final appearances
| Wins (1) | ||
| Year | Opponent in final | Score in final |
| 2002 | Peter Nicol Peter Nicol Peter Nicol, MBE , is a former professional squash player from the United Kingdom, who represented first Scotland and then England in international squash. In 1998, while still competing for Scotland, he became the first player from the UK to hold the World No. 1 ranking... |
9–4, 4–9, 9–3, 9–0 |
| Runner-ups (1) | ||
| Year | Opponent in final | Score in final |
| 1998 | Peter Nicol Peter Nicol Peter Nicol, MBE , is a former professional squash player from the United Kingdom, who represented first Scotland and then England in international squash. In 1998, while still competing for Scotland, he became the first player from the UK to hold the World No. 1 ranking... |
3–9, 9–2, 9–1, 2–9, 9–2 |