Squash: World champ without a court

Aucklander Carol Owens has returned to New Zealand a reigning world squash champion in international limbo.

In the final grand prix event of the year, Australian-born Owens, the top seed, lost to three-times world champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald in the final of the $US25,000 ($60,000) London Classic tournament. Fitz-Gerald took 45 minutes to beat her former Australian team-mate 3-9, 9-6, 9-3, 9-1.

Owens returned to Auckland as world champion after an exhausting 10-week campaign.

Her Eden Epsom club is holding a celebration party for her on Saturday, but she ends the year as she started, neither an Australian nor a New Zealand representative.

She will have qualified to be selected for New Zealand next season, but there are no international matches next year.

If wanted, the world champion could be picked for New Zealand for the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in July 2002. Australia do not want her while she prefers living in Auckland.

She could play for New Zealand at Manchester, but she has yet to discuss her availability with New Zealand squash chief executive David Knowles.

"It's been difficult for me. The only sponsorship I have got is from Head rackets. I am an Aussie wanting to live in New Zealand because I have an excellent coach in Auckland," she said.

"I have not said to anyone I want to play for New Zealand. But it is a possibility.

"I have not spoken to New Zealand Squash about it. It's whether they want me."

Owens was crowned world champion in Edinburgh last month after beating British Open champion Leilani Joyce, of New Zealand, in a tense final.

"Leilani has said New Zealand should look after New Zealand players but I run camps for the national junior team and I do a lot of coaching at my club," Owens said.

"Maybe she doesn't want me to represent New Zealand. I have never mentioned the matter to anyone in New Zealand."

Owens stood down from representing Australia because she did not want to be based at the Institute of Sport. The only way Australia would support her was if she was in Canberra.

"But that would not work for me. I don't want to bad-mouth Australia. They have been good for me in the past and I enjoyed my time with them.

"But I have found a coach in New Zealand in Paul Wright and Auckland is where I want to stay. Who I represent next year is not an issue because there is nothing on."

Owens said she received huge support during the world championship, largely from New Zealanders and the Eden Epsom club.

"What I enjoy most about being in New Zealand is that people love their squash. They appreciate you for what you do."

- NZPA