There are a lot of good racquetball players out there, but playing the game and knowing the game are two different things. Because I had no direction, I had to feel the game.

Learning was never structured for me. I started playing when I was two. I would go to the gym with my dad who played regularly. I 'd get on the court and play when he would go for a drink of water or something. When I was four they shaved down the grip on a racquet so I could hold it. I can't even tell you why I loved being on the court, I just knew I enjoyed it. It was always about sports for me.

There are a lot of good racquetball players out there, but playing the game and knowing the game are two different things. Because I had no direction, I had to feel the game.

Being champion for me is gratification. The realisation that I am the best. Overall, I like being a leader, setting a good example. I like being part of the solution and not the problem. I hope people think that I'm representing #1 properly. I just got to keep improving because the only person who will beat me is myself.

I argued for years to have the Canadian anthem played at the US Open Racquetball Championship and on the 11th year, I got it. I teared up a bit when I heard the anthem. It was a highlight of my career, better than some of my wins.

No matter what I do I'll always be Canadian. What happened with me being banned was not about the sport of racquetball, but about the organisation. Why am I going to allow people who are irrelevant to sway me? I'll never turn my back on Canada. I'm proud to be Canadian.

Hockey is still my favourite sport. I think that might be part of what makes me successful. I don't live or die by racquetball, so I can detach from it when needed. I'm all about all sports.