Nick Matthew OBE announces 2017-2018 squash season will be his last

Squash star Nick Matthew has announced that the 2017-2018 squash season will officially be his last playing season.  The 37 year-old from Sheffield, Yorkshire is already classed as one of the most successful squash players of all time with three World Championship titles, three British Open crowns and three Commonwealth Games Gold Medals as well as 35 PSA World Tour titles and 19 months ranked No.1 in the PSA World Rankings.  

The 2017 AJ Bell PSA World Championships in Manchester from 8-17 December and the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia (squash competition 5-15 April) will be Matthew’s main focus for the season.

In an announcement posted on Nick Matthew’s You Tube channel ‘Nick Matthew Squash’ and through Matthew’s social media channels the squash star said:

“I’ve decided after a lot thought and talking with family and friends, this is going to be my last season on the PSA World Tour.  But it’s not sad, I’m really excited by the opportunity ahead in my last season ahead on the tour. 

“We’ve got the World Championships in Manchester, I’ve got some amazing memories of the last time the Worlds was in Manchester.  Then there are the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in April 2018, it’s one of my favourite events ever, pulling on that England shirt and I’ll be doing everything in my power to win a fourth Gold medal.

“Potentially my last tournament ever will be the British Open so what a way to finish, in my home country, one of the most traditional titles in squash.

“Looking back I’m so privileged to have met so many people and shared so many memories along the way.  I’ve had all the threes, three World titles, three Commonwealth Games gold medals and three British Opens so hopefully I can get a fourth of one those this season.

Matthew goes on to thank fans for their support over the years and reveals plans for the future:

“A big, big thank you to all the squash fans out there who have supported me throughout my career at home and abroad.  The support has been absolutely amazing, I think this is my 20th season on the world tour, but I’ve been playing since the age of eight and have made so many friends around the world, thank you for your support.  Hopefully I’ll see you around the world this year if you can come to watch me in my last season.

“But you won’t get rid of me that easily as I’ll be involved in squash forever.  I’ve started my squash academy in the UK and US, the Nick Matthew Academy, to help produce the next generation of talent as well as to grow our amazing sport that’s given me so much.”

Matthew to Donate Canary Wharf Money to 11 Year Old Sumner Malik

Nick is doing his best to set an example and raise awareness for Sumner Malik, an 11 year old boy (and squash player) from Sussex, England. Sumner fell ill last summer with a rare form of brain tumor. Unfortunately medical costs are prohibitive for his family, so they've started a #Sunshine4Sumner campaign to help raise funds.

Upon learning about Sumner, Nick resolved to help out. He decided to help raise awareness about the campaign and, in late February, announced he'd donate his Canary Wharf prize money to the campaign.

To learn more about Sumner and how you can help, read this excellent piece on the PSA World Tour website.    

Nick Matthew claims record ninth Nationals title

Nick Matthew made history by winning his ninth National title in Manchester and cemented his status as one of the greatest British squash players ever.

Three-time world champion Matthew eased through his final against underdog Joe Lee to take home the trophy for the sixth year in a row.

The former World No.1 came into the game as huge favorite against his opponent and claimed the victory with a comfortable 11/6, 11/4, 11/8 in 40 minutes.

Much of the build-up to the tournament had centerd around his long rivalry with James Willstrop [2] but he faced an unlikely opponent in Lee [5/8], who had progressed past Willstrop in the quarter finals after the latter retired with the match at 2-2.

Nick Matthew and Laura Massaro have won a combined 13 Nationals titles.

World No.4 Matthew didn’t drop a single game in his route to claiming the trophy, defeating qualifier Ashley Davies, Jaymie Haycocks, Declan James [5/8] and Lee all 3-0. He was delighted to win his ninth title at the Blowers Jewellers National Squash Championships.

“It’s an honor to win a ninth title”, he said. “I think Joe was a little bit nervous with it being his first final. He pushed me hard in the third game, maybe I got a bit nervous. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve won a few titles, you do sometimes get a bit excited towards the end. But I’m really happy with where my game is and hopefully I can take that forward to the tour now.”

At 36, Matthew is now old enough to play in the masters at the Nationals but he continues to dominate the men’s game. He admitted facing a younger generation of players in the later rounds had been a different experience. He said: “It was totally different this year. With Dec [James] yesterday and Joe today it made me feel my age a bit. It would be nice to get ten. Hopefully, fingers crossed, I can come back for at least one more go and get a tenth.”

Laura Massaro retained the trophy in the women’s competition to take her title haul up to four. She defeated Sarah-Jane Perry [3/4] in 42 minutes, 11/5, 12/10, 11/9.

Nick Matthew Honors

• World champion – 2010, 2011, 2013.

• British Open champion – 2006, 2009, 2012.

• Commonwealth gold medallist – Delhi 2010 (Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles), Glasgow 2014 (Men’s Singles).

• National champion – 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017.

• Current world ranking – 4, highest ranking – 1.

BRITISH SQUASH STAR NICK MATTHEW ANNOUNCES FIRST U.S. ACADEMY

Millbrook School to Host Summer Squash Academy Starting in July

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Millbrook, N.Y. - Selecting the right school for his first squash academy in the United States might have seemed like a daunting task for Nick Matthew, a three-time World Champion, but when he learned of Millbrook School, the decision was an easy one. With 8 courts, a renowned squash program that began in the 1940s, and a firm commitment to developing young men and women of character, Millbrook School proved the perfect match.

"Millbrook School promotes a set of values I find to be exemplary, and my goal is to reinforce them through the sport of squash,” said Matthew. “The goal of my Academy is to pass on my passion to a new generation of players and maybe even find some future World Champions."

Starting this July (see dates below), Matthew and his teaching staff will deliver unparalleled squash instruction and one-on-one guidance to kids aged 12-18. Campers will also have the opportunity to enjoy a range of other fun activities, like mountain biking, swimming and horseback riding. Beyond the three initial week-long summer camps in July and August, Matthew will oversee instructional clinics with the Millbrook teams throughout the year, pre-season training for the varsity teams, and exhibition matches at the Mills Athletic Center with other world ranked players.

“This exciting new relationship between Nick Matthew and Millbrook School will serve to attract top student athletes and will have a significant impact on our squash programs as we continue to enhance our competitive team sport experience for our players,” said Millbook’s Director of Racquet Sports Greg Reiss.  

Session Dates:

1st Session: Sunday July 23rd to Friday July 28th

2nd Session: Sunday July 30th to Friday August 4th

3rd Session: Sunday Aug 6th to Friday Aug 11th

Each camp is a 5 night, 6 day sleepaway or day camp.  

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Nick Matthew OBE is a three-time World Champion squash player from Sheffield, UK. He is one of the most successful squash players of all time with 34 Professional Squash Association (PSA) titles in a career spanning 15 years. The Nick Matthew Academy is a coaching program which aims to train and inspire the next generation of squash stars. 

For Further Information, contact Steve Hall at: stevehall@futuresquashstars.com