1. Overview
Chris Dittmar (born 16 January 1964) is a prominent Australian sports commentator and former professional squash player. He achieved the World No. 1 ranking in July 1993. Dittmar is widely regarded as one of the best players never to have won squash's most prestigious titles, having finished as a runner-up five times at the World Open and twice at the British Open. After retiring from his professional playing career in 1993, Dittmar transitioned into sports commentary, working for major television and radio networks in Australia.
2. Early life and education
Chris Dittmar was born on 16 January 1964 in Adelaide, South Australia. He attended St Michael's College, Adelaide. Dittmar comes from a well-known sports family in Adelaide, with a strong background in various athletic pursuits.
3. Squash career
Chris Dittmar's squash career spanned from his successful junior days to a distinguished professional career, marked by numerous finals appearances and a brief but significant period as the world's top-ranked player, before his retirement in 1993.
3.1. Junior career
Before turning professional, Dittmar displayed significant talent in junior squash. He was the runner-up at the World Junior Championships in both 1980 and 1982, demonstrating his early potential. In 1981, he further solidified his standing by winning the British Open Junior Championship.
3.2. Professional career
Dittmar's professional career was characterized by consistent high-level performance, achieving the World No. 1 ranking and captaining the Australian national team to multiple world championships, despite facing formidable opponents in major finals.
3.2.1. World Open and British Open Finals
Dittmar is often recognized as the "best player never to have won" one of squash's two biggest titles. He reached the final of the World Open five times, finishing as runner-up in 1983, 1987, 1989, 1990, and 1992. Additionally, he was a two-time runner-up at the British Open, in 1985 and 1993. In all seven of these major finals, Dittmar was defeated by either Jahangir Khan or Jansher Khan.
3.2.2. World No. 1 ranking
Chris Dittmar achieved the pinnacle of his professional career by briefly capturing the World No. 1 ranking in July 1993, holding the top position until August 1993. This significant achievement came shortly before his retirement as a player. For much longer periods throughout his career, he consistently held rankings within the top three, frequently positioned at World No. 2 or No. 3.
3.2.3. World Team Championships
Dittmar's leadership was instrumental in the success of the Australian national team. He captained the Australian team to victory in the World Team Squash Championships in 1989, where Australia decisively defeated Pakistan 3-0 in the final. In that event, Dittmar personally contributed a crucial win over Jahangir Khan. Two years later, in 1991, Dittmar again captained the Australian team, successfully defending their world title. He expressed that captaining the Australian team to these victories was the proudest moment of his career.
3.2.4. Other professional titles
Beyond his significant performances in the World Open and British Open, Chris Dittmar secured several other professional titles throughout his career. These included three victories at the Australian Open, three at the Canadian Open, three at the European Open, and three at the New Zealand Open. He also claimed two titles at the South African Open. His consistent winning record in these tournaments highlighted his enduring presence at the top of the squash world.
3.3. Rivalries and notable matches
Chris Dittmar's career was largely defined by his consistent challenge to the dominance of the two great Pakistani players, Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan, throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. While he never fully broke their "iron grip" on the game, Dittmar provided perhaps the most consistent threat among his contemporaries.
On several occasions, Dittmar managed to defeat one of the Khans in a semi-final round, only to face the other in the subsequent final and ultimately lose. A particularly memorable encounter was his semi-final match against Jahangir Khan at the 1989 World Open in Kuala Lumpur, which is widely regarded as one of the sport's classic matches. Dittmar won this intensely contested match by taking the fifth set 15-13. However, in the final the following day, he faced Jansher Khan and initially took a two-set lead, but ultimately tired as the long match wore on and lost in five sets.
4. Post-playing career
After retiring from professional squash, Chris Dittmar transitioned into prominent roles within sports media and administration, leveraging his extensive experience and knowledge of the sporting world.
4.1. Sports commentary
Since concluding his squash playing career in 1993, Chris Dittmar has established a successful career as a television and radio sports commentator in Australia. He has worked for Channel Seven as a television sports commentator. On radio, he has been a notable voice for Adelaide stations FIVEaa and Triple M. For a period, he hosted FIVEaa's soccer show on Sunday evenings. He currently co-hosts 'Roo and Ditts for Breakfast' on Triple M with Mark Ricciuto. Dittmar has also provided commentary for Australian rules football on both FIVEaa and Triple M.
4.2. Roles in squash administration
Dittmar has also contributed significantly to the squash community through administrative roles. Known for being forthright in expressing his views as a player, he served as President of the International Squash Players Association for several years, representing the interests of his fellow players. From 2002 to 2005, he held the position of Patron of Squash Australia, further demonstrating his ongoing commitment and leadership within the sport.
5. Personal life
Chris Dittmar's personal life includes his background from a well-known sporting family in Adelaide. His father played Australian rules football for the Port Adelaide Football Club. His uncle, Wally Dittmar, also played for Port Adelaide and represented South Australia in State of Origin Football. Additionally, his uncle Len was crowned the Australian welterweight boxing champion in the 1950s. Chris Dittmar's son, Tom, previously played for the soccer club West Torrens Birkalla SC and now plays for Comets FC. In July 2009, Dittmar experienced a health scare when he suffered a small brain haemorrhage, which required hospitalization.
6. Legacy and recognition
Chris Dittmar's contributions to squash and his enduring impact are recognized through various accolades. In 2005, he was formally inducted into the Squash Australia Hall of Fame, a testament to his distinguished career and achievements in the sport. His consistent challenge to the top players of his era and his numerous appearances in major finals have cemented his legacy as one of the most prominent Australian squash players, often characterized as one of the "best players never to have won" squash's most coveted titles.