Boswell Back In Action In Christchurch

After almost two years out of action while recovering from a mystery back ailment, Australia's former world No4 Stewart Boswell makes his return to the PSA Tour this week in the South Island Championship in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The 26-year-old from Canberra last appeared in the draw of a PSA Tour event in May 2003, when he lost in the first round of the PSA Masters in Qatar - just three months after winning the Swedish Open in Linköping, his seventh PSA title in six years.

"I'd been getting some pain in my lower back leading up to that and decided to go back to Australia from there to sort it out," said Boswell. "Initially, with all scans of my back showing no damage, it didn't seem that serious. However it never improved to the stage that I could play.

"I've spent most of the time over the last two years between the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) in Brisbane and living with my parents in Canberra. During this time I saw various physios, doctors and spinal specialists - without any real success.

"Things were looking pretty bleak after about a year without playing and no real signs of progress. This was probably the hardest and most frustrating period - not really knowing what the problem was, if it would get better and if I was going to get the chance to play again," explained the Australian.

"One of the last people I planned to see was Steve Saunders, a Physio in Adelaide who I'd heard was doing some further study on the dysfunction of the area I was getting the pain. He had some different techniques and a different approach treating my problem.

"Things slowly started looking up after spending two months there, going into Steve's practice most days either to have treatment or Pilates/stability exercises. I was then able to progress to harder work - running, gym, etc - before finally getting back to playing. I've been back training in Brisbane for the last few months as well as doing regular trips back to Adelaide."

Boswell has already enjoyed success in Challenger events in his home country and is now embarking on his first Tour event. After qualifying today, he faces Malaysia's tenth seed Nafzahizam Adnan in tomorrow's first round of the South Island Championship.

"Right now, it's just such a good feeling to be back playing and doing what I've wanted to do for the last two years. And, yes, Steve Saunders has definitely made it onto my Christmas card list!" added Boswell.