Sleek Martin produces story

MICHELLE MARTIN's historic 9-2 9-2 9-1 victory over Liz Irving in the world open final in Johannesburg attracted less attention from photographers compared to skintight bodysuit in which she posed afterwards. All week the rumours that she might play within the Lycra gear attracted more press as opposed to squash itself.
 Martin could possibly normally wear it, for publicity's sake, had she been permitted to. The circuit's governing body, the Women's International Squash Players' Association, frowns on it. The controversy highlighted the dilemma of so-called minor sports and of ladies within them, in wanting to promote themselves.
 ''I was shocked on the quantity of attention the rumours got,'' Martin said. ''It had have got to the stage where everybody was wanting something from me. I simply had to tell people to disappear completely and that I wouldn't wear it until following your tournament.''
 The hubbub proved the extent of Martin's new-found tunnel vision. She riveted her mind on attacking the ball early and centered on that in lieu of her opponent, the possible outcome, or the bodysuit. Amazingly, it took only around 30 minutes to win the last and go ahead and take title time for Australia the very first time in a decade.
 The Martin household is the first to have produced two world open champions something not really the legendary Khans from Pakistan have managed. Her elder brother Rodney was champion in 1991.
 Hers would have been a memorable performance, made a lot more so by the transformation in their appearance from that relating to a well-upholstered and slightly ponderous competitor to at least one of the extremely eye-catchingly slim and quick in regards to the court. Her whole posture looks different. Same goes with the sort of attention she's getting.
 ''It's hard to say perhaps the bodysuit will be the optimal way to visit,'' she said. ''I feel confident enough to wear it, however it could degrade other people. I can appreciate how people reason over it.''
 Many of the women abhor it as a form of exploitation. England's Martine Le Moignan attracted similar censure when she posed in French cami-knickers for the top of the page of a magazine after becoming world champion in 1989.
 The WISPA says the bodysuit may be the wrong image, and insists that skirts or dresses have to be worn, not shorts, as the solution to promote the women's game.
 It fined Martin Pounds 50 for wearing the bodysuit in Melbourne last month and sent a warning letter that she risked further fines or perhaps a ban if she wore it again. Her manager, Phil Hart, nevertheless sought permission on her to make use of it in Johannesburg. But he now has an exotic player to promote but not simply a latex stockings.
 Martin has won the two World and British Opens without dropping a game title. She will quickly happen to be World No1 for the year and, since last year's retirement of the latest Zealander Susan Devoy, who had previously been No1 in excess of eight years, she has been transforming herself by using her uncle turned coach.
 Lionel Robberds can be a diminutive, sleek-haired, half-smiling genie of a lawyer who looks as though he has somehow found the trick of Eastern promise. With him, Martin still, at 26, includes a opportunity to create a name that transcends the sport.
 It was Devoy who said that Cassie Jackman, the English national champion, could possibly be the main one to achieve success her. Though the younger, British brigade is a huge disaster out here.
 Specifically, Jackman's loss to Sabine Schoene, the very first German to succeed in a global semi-final, was probably the most disappointing of her career and will initiate a total rethink of what she is doing and why. The gap between her and Martin has widened alarmingly.
 Two world squash championships in quick succession in Johannesburg since South Africa was re-admitted by the International Olympic Committee have brought general celebration and signs of change.
 The game's governing body in South Africa has a non-white chairman and, incredibly, amid the depressing tin huts and dust of Soweto, a stone squash court exists. The game that came from Harrow has reached the oppressed.