CanadianSquash playerMedallistSportsperson

Jonathon Power

Jonathon Power is a Canadian retired professional squash player who became the first North American to achieve the World No. 1 ranking and won 36 top-level events.

1. Overview

Jonathon Tyler Power, born on August 9, 1974, is a Canadian retired professional squash player. He made history in 1999 by becoming the first North American squash player to achieve the World No. 1 ranking. Throughout his career, Power secured victory in 36 top-level squash events, including the prestigious World Open in 1998 and the British Open in 1999. His career highlights also include multiple wins at the Super Series Finals, PSA Masters, and Tournament of Champions, alongside a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. Known for his exceptional shot-making and deceptive play, Power's career was marked by significant achievements and a notable rivalry with Peter Nicol.

2. Early Life and Background

2.1. Early Life and Education

Jonathon Tyler Power was born on August 9, 1974, in Comox, British Columbia, Canada. He began playing squash at the age of seven, developing his skills from a young age.

2.2. Early Career

Power transitioned to professional play at the age of 16, turning professional in 1991. In May 1991, he officially joined the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour, marking the beginning of his professional journey in the sport.

3. Professional Career

Jonathon Power's professional career was characterized by numerous victories, a distinctive playing style, intense rivalries, and a historic ascent to the top of the world rankings.

3.1. Career Highlights and Achievements

Power's career was adorned with significant accomplishments and milestones, solidifying his reputation as one of squash's elite players. He won a total of 36 PSA tournaments and reached 58 finals during his professional tenure.

3.1.1. World No. 1 Ranking

In 1999, Jonathon Power became the first North American squash player to achieve the World No. 1 ranking, a landmark achievement in the sport's history. He held the top spot during multiple periods: from May 1999 to September 1999, November 1999 to January 2000, and April 2001 to July 2001. Notably, he returned to the World No. 1 ranking in January 2006, four and a half years after his previous stint at the top, marking the longest gap between periods of holding the World No. 1 ranking for any player in history. After briefly losing the ranking to David Palmer in February 2006, he regained it on March 1, 2006.

3.1.2. Major Tournament Wins

Power's career included victories in some of the most prestigious tournaments in professional squash.

3.2. Playing Style and Reputation

Jonathon Power is widely regarded as one of the greatest shot-making players in the history of squash. Standing at 6.0 ft (1.83 m) and weighing 181 lb (82 kg), he played right-handed. His coaches included Mike Way, and he used racquets from Harrow and Dunlop. He perfected a wide array of drop shots and deception shots, making him a formidable and unpredictable opponent. His playing style often captivated crowds, and he was known for his emotional outbursts and verbal exchanges with referees, which sometimes led to comparisons with the tennis player John McEnroe. Despite or perhaps because of these characteristics, he was often a crowd favorite.

3.3. Rivalries

One of the most celebrated and enduring rivalries in squash history was between Jonathon Power and Peter Nicol of Scotland. Their matches were frequently high-stakes encounters, often in major tournament finals, contributing significantly to the sport's excitement and popularity during their era.

3.4. Later Career and Retirement

The final phase of Power's professional career saw him briefly reclaim the top ranking before his eventual retirement. On March 2, 2006, just one day after regaining the World No. 1 ranking, Power announced his retirement from professional squash.

3.4.1. Post-Retirement Activities

Even after his official retirement, Jonathon Power remained involved in the sport. He continued to compete for Canada in the World Team Championships in both 2007 and 2009, demonstrating that he could still compete effectively at a world-class level by defeating several highly ranked players. In 2008, he won the Canadian Championships, defeating Shahier Razik in the final. He also later became a professional coach for players such as Diego Elias.

4. Personal Life

Jonathon Power is married to Sita. Together, they have a daughter named Parker, who was born on January 23, 2007. His residences during his career included Amsterdam in his early career and later Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He has also resided in Toronto, Ontario.

5. Anecdotes and Trivia

  • Jonathon Power was often affectionately known by squash enthusiasts as "JP" or "The Magician," a nod to his deceptive and skillful play.
  • During his professional career, Power had a signature racquet produced by Dunlop.
  • In the later stages of his career, Power released several educational DVDs focused on squash techniques and strategies.
  • Unlike many top-level squash players who are predominantly from the United Kingdom, Power's early career saw him based in Amsterdam, before later moving to Montreal.
  • A distinctive habit of Power's was his serving routine: he rarely bounced the ball on the floor before serving, a practice uncommon among professional squash players.