Squash: World No 2 keen to wear the silver fern

By JULIE ASH

World squash No 2 Carol Owens is about to become a Kiwi.

The 30-year-old from Melbourne is eligible to play for New Zealand in September, having stood down for the required three-year period.

Her first assignment will be defending her title at the world championships in October in Melbourne, which is also the home town of world No 3 Sarah Fitz-Gerald.

"I will have New Zealand against my name, which may not be in my favour," Owens said.

"But I have never liked playing in Melbourne, which is strange because all my family and friends are there. I am sure that Leilani [Joyce] feels the same about playing in New Zealand. Some people like playing at home, but it adds an extra pressure and I have always found it difficult."

Owens stood down from representing Australia because she did not want to be based at the Institute of Sport in Canberra, which is where she needed to be if she wanted support.

She has lived on and off in New Zealand for the past five years and is happy in Auckland under the guidance of former English coach Paul Wright.

She said that wearing the silver fern would not be a problem.

"There is nothing much on this year, but there are the Commonwealth Games next year which I hope to be a part of," she said.

At the last Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, she teamed up with Fitz-Gerald to win bronze in the doubles, and next time round she could have Joyce, the world No 1, at her side.

"I would like to play with her - I like playing against her and I would play against her more if I could."

It was Joyce whom Owens beat to claim the world championship title in Edinburgh last year - which has been the highlight of her career.

Owens is competing in local tournaments in preparation for the $US63,000 Hong Kong Open next month and then the $US19,000 Helipolis tournament in Egypt.

"It's quite full on, so it's good to have the next four to five weeks to prepare. I often play in men's competitions, which does make a big difference in your play because the guys are a lot quicker and stronger, so if you can keep up with the men you can keep up with anyone."

Born in Melbourne, Owens started playing squash at the age of 10, moving on to the professional circuit when she was 18.

Her first coach was Fitz-Gerald's mother, Judith Fitz-Gerald.

"Sarah was someone you looked up to, but those days are gone because you can't really look up to your opponents.

"We were close friends, but as competitors we are not that close any more.

"When you are competing there is not a lot of money to be made, so it is very cut-throat.

"At the end of the day no one is close friends. Everyone gets along, but that's really all."

Fitz-Gerald has won three world championships and the British Open.

She beat Owens 3-0 in the final of this year's British Open.

Fitz-Gerald missed most of the 1998 and 1999 seasons because of knee surgery, but has made an outstanding return, winning seven WISPA tour titles in 2001.

She is expected to overtake Joyce as the world No 1 when the rankings list comes out next month.

Owens has beaten Joyce twice this year (at the Eden Epsom Open and the Remuera Open) and lost to her once, in Egypt.

When it comes down to Joyce and Fitz-Gerald, Owens said Fitz-Gerald is the harder opponent.

"Sarah is tougher, she has been around for a long time. She gets to the ball quickly and is very good tactically.

"Sarah and Michelle Martin were unbeatable once, much like Susan Devoy.

"Sarah is definitely back to her old self and she will be hard to beat."

Owens spends a lot of time coaching at her Eden Epsom club and said that despite her vigorous training regime of two sessions a day, she still feels she has a few more years left.

"Sarah is still giving it a good crack, and she is about 33.

"I will carry on as long as my body will allow me, which will probably be another two or three years."