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[ Robertson ] [ Kellogg ] [ Clark ] [ Cann ] [ Ouseph ]
Clark to the court
by Richard Eaton
 Some
people think that the story about Anthony Clark being a
good enough bowler to have knocked out Freddy Flintoff's middle
stump is apocryphal. But it's not.
The aim of this versatile sportsman has been pretty good at the
English national championships too. He has been the most
successful man at both the last two tournaments, and if he lives
up to this week's billing as top seed in two events he will
become the tournament's most successful active player.
Clark is also the only Englishman ever to win two medals in a
world championship. So when there is a renewed prospect of big
international titles in the last phase of his career, you might
think he would have become jaded by domestic aims. But no.
“I have always looked at this tournament as a benchmark,” the
31-year-old says. “If you can't win a national championship what
chance have you in a world championship? I used to look up to
people like Simon Archer. Even my coach Julian Robertson said
"win a national championship, it will open up other avenues,
like sponsorship and confidence.”
Clark is also the only male player to have won titles in all
five years since the nationals moved to Manchester. Although he
initially downplayed this, he then recalled the advantage it
might have for his mixed doubles partnership with Donna
Kellogg, adding that “the big arenas always suited me and
Donna - and the big velodrome makes the shuttle slower.”
Even though this partnership is going for a hat-trick of titles
this week, its long-term future seems uncertain. For the moment
it is Clark's reconstituted men's doubles partnership with
Nathan Robertson, which has already beaten three pairs in
the world's top ten, and is trying for its fifth national title,
which is attracting new attention.
“The way people are playing suits our style,” Clark says. “The
game has changed quite a lot, probably because of the new
scoring. More frantic and very quick pace, but no long gruelling
rallies.
“We have been used to Kim Dong Moon and Ha Tae-Kwon – you used
to have to be incredibly fit because of the length of the
rallies. They were so so long. Now pairs all play the same, from
number one to 15 in the world, every single pair plays the
same!”
 He
agrees with Robertson that they have developed since their first
spell together as a men's doubles pair ended three years ago.
“It is a bit different,” he says. “When we were first together
Nathan was the person who played at the net, and I used to play
at the back. But as soon as I played with Rob (Blair) I played
the net role. Now we're both better. We can do it the other way
round. Nathan has played mixed doubles a lot, where he plays at
the back. So we're better than we were a few years ago.
“I always say you're only as strong as as your weakest link and
I don't think we have a weak link any more – although we were
never that bad. It's more of an all-round partnership we have.
 “And
even though we have lost a bit of raw speed we don't need it so
much. We don't have so many long high rallies which produce jump
smashes. Play is more mid-court - and that's where we can
dominate.
Did it feel different to be playing with someone who has been a
close friend even when they were not a partnership?
“It's different communication,” he answers. “That is always the
key to any partnership. If you can't tell your partner how you
think you should be doing things you are fighting an uphill
battle. Sometimes it can be quite brutal what you have to say
and if someone's a good friend you can say things which offend
them.
“But I have two great partnerships with good communication. I am
very close with both partners.”
How long will the famous mixed partnership with Kellogg, which
has reached the finals of both World and All-England
championships and holds the European title, go on? Clark has
indicated that he will continue as possible, maybe till London
2012. But Kellogg is unwilling to look beyond this year.
 “We
are getting back to the fitness levels of before the Olympics,”
Clark said. “But it's different with Donna: it's changed a lot.
A lot of friends have all stopped within a short space of time.
And now the next oldest person is someone like Jenny (Wallwork,
aged 21).
“So it's different. She has a relationship and things do change.
She needs to take her time and make the right decision. No-one
would hold it against her if she decided to stop. But if she
still wants to train then great. She's done everything – she
doesn't need to prove anything. For me it's great she's carrying
on.”
They are strong favourites, though much will depend on how well
Robertson, four times a winner of this title, blends with
Wallwork as they continue their attempts to develop into a world
class pair.
 This
new partnership could have an interesting second round – against
two former winners of the title, Nick Ponting and Julie
Bradbury, who are now the starts of the over 40's circuit.
Clark and Kellogg should have a semi-final with former world
junior silver medallists Chris Adcock and Gabby White in
the semi-finals, while Robertson and Wallwork are seeded
for a semi with David Lindley and Suzanne Rayappan,
ranked 16 in the world. These could produce some of the best
matches of the tournament.
[ Robertson ] [ Kellogg ] [ Clark ] [ Cann ] [ Ouseph ] |
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The English National Championships are being staged at the
Velodrome thanks to the special partnership between BADMINTON
England, Manchester City Council, Carlton, badminton retailers
www.sportsdiscount.com and specialist building validation
company Imperial Consultants, with invaluable support from the
Manchester Evening News.
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