Dubai: Nick Matthew couldn’t achieve a fairy tale win in his last ever event, but he was at least happy to have ended his 20-year career on better terms.
The 37-year-old Englishman wasn’t even meant to be playing in this week’s PSA World Series Finals at Emirates Golf Club as he hadn’t qualified and retired after last month’s British Open where he was knocked out in the second round.
However, injury to Marwan Al Shorbagy saw Matthew called into the season-ender as a replacement and he was determined to come and make a better end of things in Dubai.
The three-time world champion almost went all the way, topping his group with three wins over Tarek Momen, Miguel Angel Rodriguez and Mohammad Al Shorbagy but bowed out in the semi-finals with a 2-0 defeat to Ali Farag (11-5, 11-7).
“I was frustrated with the manner in which I retired after the British Open,” he said. “But now I can say I certainly did myself proud this time around. I played some of the best squash of my season if not my career this week, and if you had offered me the semis at the start of the week I would have taken it.
“Everyone dreams of going out by winning the tournament and I dared to dream for a second there.
“I just came up against one of the new generation’s top guys who was a little bit too good for me today, a little too smooth and too sharp.
“Ali’s a class act and has many years ahead of him. It was a pleasure to play him in my last match.”
Of the standing ovation which resonated long after his last hurrah, Matthew added: “The crowd were amazing. It’s one thing to get that in front of your home crowd after the British Open last month but here in Dubai, I just felt that love and appreciation from everyone.
“It’s been an amazing journey, 20 years on tour, I started playing aged eight and I’ll still continue to play but 20 years as a pro, a few people have called for me not to retire after the way I played this week but 20 is a nice round number, so I think we’ll quit while I’m ahead.”
The most successful English squash player of all time bows out with 35 PSA World Tour titles, including three world championships and three Commonwealth Games gold medals.
“I did myself proud this week and throughout my whole career, I’ve very few regrets if any. Maybe just not playing in the Olympics, but that was out of my hands. I would have also liked to have played better in the Commonwealth Games this year (he made the quarters). That was one thing I was a bit gutted about. But overall I wouldn’t dare to think about having the career I’ve had.
“After some rest I’ll reflect really well on it, but I’m just going to let that happen naturally over time this summer, put my feet up and take it from there.”
