USA Racquetball

"Don’t call it a comeback, I been here for years. Rockin my peers and puttin suckas in fear. Makin the tears rain down like a monsoon…."

Lyrics to Mama Said Knock You Out--LL Cool J

Kane Waselenchuk is not only the world’s most talented racquetball player, but he works as hard as anyone to make sure he brings that every time he steps on the court. And now that time has come for the three-time World Champion and three-time US OPEN Champion to make his return back to the sport of professional racquetball. Don't believe he will be anything less than 100 percent for the opening of the Men's International Racquetball Tour (IRT) starting with the 2008 Motorola IRT World Racquetball Championships presented by Verizon Wireless.

 

The comeback talk only intensified with his first tournament win in South Carolina at the IRT Greenville Open. He returned neither out of shape or rusty by destroying all of his opponents in three straight games in all of his matches. The final against No. 1 Rocky Carson is what Kane wanted; this was the first time the two had played since the semifinals of the 2006 IRT Pro Nationals.

For his debut in South Carolina Kane showed that he was ready to take down anyone in his claim to regain the number one ranking as he defeated Rocky, 11-6, 11-1, 10-12, 11-6 in a four game victory. Through one tournament start so far in 2008, there are already rumblings that Kane could sweep the season, securing an unprecedented undefeated campaign.

Kane Waselenchuk with Shawn Royster and Woody Clouse.

As players, it's nice to see somebody else lift a trophy for a change as Jack Huczek (2007) and Rocky Carson (2008) both claimed the Men’s International Racquetball Tour (IRT) year end number one ranking while Kane was absent.

But, Carson and Huczek as well as the other top players (Beltran, Mannino, Swain, Vanderson and Williams) needed to make some alterations or adjustments in their game to sustain the arsenal that Kane will bring back. The rallies will be shorter and re-kills will be seen coming in like ballistic missiles. Combine that with screaming drive serves that are deceptively directed from hard angles and soft hands in the front court that will frustrate his opponents and leave fans in utter disbelief.

This has everything to do with being number one, and it also has everything to do with winning; something Kane has been doing his entire racquetball career and should continue to do professionally on the Men’s IRT.

Kane will be comfortable again but fierce in his role; he will press and engage the action every chance he gets to prove that he is, without a doubt, the best player in the world. He is a complete player that can hurt you in many ways with dangerous drive serves, creative shot making from his knees, and his impressive ability to control matches –- in precisely the way that makes him such a compelling champion.

Waselenchuk will once again bring his best to Denver for the 2008 Motorola IRT World Racquetball Championships. He will have to qualify so fans will be able to get an early peek at his game and enjoy some extra court time. He will be playing with his new racquet, the Krowning Moment 175 developed by Pro Kennex and has designed his own brand of sports clothing apparel. "I developed an interest in business and began working on building my own clothing company, Krowning Moment," said Waselenchuk in a recent interview with Racquetball Magazine. To read the entire interview click here.

I have a fairly easy time seeing Waselenchuk winning another Grand Slam other than the Motorola IRT Worlds as well every event he enters this season. Look at how he played back in South Carolina or, for that matter, every tournament he played in before his suspension.

For Kane, however, it may be only a caution flag on the fast lane to history. Think about it: This is a guy who often dominated in all of the pro events he entered. Just how good is he going to be now that he has had time to train and rest his body?

All of which is good news for Kane, who should be back to his winning ways not long after returning to duty. And it's bad news for everyone else on the IRT Tour.

If Carson or Huczek or Mannino comes out flat or slightly injured, Kane could easily run off with a string of wins. For Kane -- at least in full health -- to win every event he enters is pretty much conceivable and he could make history by doing so.

The closest we’ve seen to IRT Tour perfection was Marty Hogan’s 1977-1978 season where Hogan won 8 of the 9 professional events during that season. His only loss was in the finals against Charlie Brumfiled, 11-8 in the tie-breaker.

If Waselenchuk is indeed Superman, then someone may need to bring some kryptonite and place it on the front wall of the new all Lucite stadium court or any court he enters. "Everyone has an opportunity to win; my job is to limit that opportunity for the others and maximize my own chances," said Waselenchuk.

 
History's preeminent racquetball player at the peak of his profession is enough to fuel speculation that Kane will topple the standing single-season records. And why not?