 By winning his sixth season ending title, Cliff Swain separated himself from every other pro who has ever played the game — surpassing Sudsy Monchik, Mike Yellen, and Marty Hogan who each have five. “It feels great,” Cliff said in a telephone interview. “I was already satisfied with what I had done throughout my career, not content, satisfied, but this feels great.”
As stated in the last issue of RACQUETBALL, Cliff didn’t need to play in Pro Nationals to keep his #1 ranking and set a new record for season wins. The piece also stated that Cliff wouldn’t back down from a challenge, and although he ended up not competing, he didn’t exactly back down either. Cliff aggravated an existing abdominal tear before the tournament began and that, combined with a newly injured groin, kept him out of the season finale. “I have been battling the injury all season long but I have never said anything because that is not what I do.”
For those who harbor doubts about the injury, RACQUETBALL wanted to give Cliff a chance to sound off for the skeptics. “I have mixed emotions about it. Partially I am insulted by anyone questioning it. Three or four years ago I had the option of not coming (to the final event). If I didn’t go then I would [have retained] my #1 ranking, but I went, lost to Mike Ray early, Sudsy won the tournament, and I finished #2 by just 10 points. But I was 100% then so I went and played. This time I wasn’t.
The same situation occurred with Sudsy two years ago. I am just curious why it (the doubting) wasn’t brought up then. I just hope that people know from watching me for 20 years what kind of player I am. I show up everyday, injured or not, and play without complaint.”
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HISTORICALLY
SPEAKING ...
But wait, didn’t Hogan win six titles? Well ... it’s
debatable. Published accounts cite that — although Hogan did close
the 1982 season as the highest earner — he was a few points shy on
the official rankings. Dave Peck claimed the #1 spot that season
with 920 points, to Hogan’s 860.
So, Hogan was the pro tour season champion in consecutive years from
1978-1981, then once again in 1989, for a total of five.
Mike Yellen’s five season wins were back-to-back — and
unprecedented — in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1987.
Sudsy Monchik’s current tour crowns include 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000
and 2001.
Cliff Swain picked up his first
season win in 1990, followed by top tour honors in 1993, 1994, 1995,
1998 and the record-setting sixth in 2002. |
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