aura Massaro turned England’s second world champion this week. Right here, Nick Matthew welcomes her to the unique membership and eyes Commonwealth gold.
What’s it about England and squash in the mean time with you and Laura Massaro being world champions? Is it down to 1 coach [they are both coached by David Pearson]?
Dave’s accomplished lots for us and for squash on this nation as he was the nationwide coach for 15 years. We’ve had a golden era of gamers and hopefully we will encourage others to take up the game.
You’ve made it to tonight’s Canary Wharf Traditional Grand Remaining. How a lot do you get pleasure from enjoying in London and the place does it fee on the calendar?
By way of prize cash it sneaks into the highest 10 but it surely [the Courtwall all-glass court] is likely one of the finest locations to play and it’s packed out from the very first spherical. I’ve been fortunate sufficient to win it thrice and I additionally gained the British Open when it was held on the O2 one yr so I typically get pleasure from myself in London.
It appears you’re the Ben Ainslie of squash in that you’re a full distinction of characters on and off the courtroom. Is that honest?
Sure. While you’re on courtroom it’s essential to ensure you take no prisoners — you’re not their good friend. Away from it, I attempt to be as relaxed as attainable however when you open the door to the courtroom it’s like going to work. Most individuals take their work severely and mine is commonly not more than two hours, so I wish to make these two hours rely.
You’re 33 now. Is there a hazard you’re reaching the twilight years of your sport?
There are plenty of components as you become old reminiscent of having households and/or dropping motivation. Then there’s the pure ageing course of and, positive, I get the odd day of aches and pains. However then that’s counter-balanced by expertise. If the physique nonetheless holds up, that have counts for a hell of lots.
Speaking about households, you have got a child on the way in which…
Sure, in September, in order that’ll be a little bit of a change!
Properly deliberate to reach simply after the Commonwealth Video games?
I’m a stickler for element and timing! However the entire thing is superior, though it is available in waves. Generally you neglect about it after which typically you’re overwhelmed by it. We’re 16 weeks in and it’s getting extra actual. The following scan we’ll be capable of discover out whether or not it’s a boy or a woman.
I do know you’re pleasant with Jessica Ennis-Hill, who’s a number of weeks forward of you within the being pregnant stakes. Have you ever been getting any suggestions?
I feel Jess is seven weeks additional forward in her being pregnant. My spouse [Esme] went out along with her for dinner final yr they usually talked nothing however infants.
The newborn apart, is it honest to say the Commonwealth Video games is the be-all and end-all this summer season?
I don’t wish to fairly name it that as a result of there’s a hazard you possibly can construct it up an excessive amount of and put an excessive amount of stress on your self. However it’s the massive one and it’s one I wish to peak for.
Is success much more essential with squash lacking out at London 2012? Sure, the Commonwealth Video games is our Olympics, when you like. It has been an enormous occasion on the Commonwealths since its inclusion in 1998 and also you solely have to have a look at the sphere of potential athletes to see it’s one of many highest calibre occasions on the Video games. I do know squash wasn’t within the Olympics however hopefully the game can play its half in Glasgow in constructing on the house momentum from final summer season.
Is it proper you performed tennis first, whereas your good pal Jonny Marray (2012 Wimbledon males’s doubles champion) was a squash participant initially?
Sure, we have been the exact opposite after which swapped. I made the precise alternative however a good friend of mine tried to show me tennis not too long ago. I simply couldn’t get the forehand prime spin, it feels so alien. I’d, although, check out Racketlon, a brand new sport that mixes all 4 racket sports activities, though I’d must do effectively within the squash leg as I’m garbage on the relaxation.
How would you promote squash?
I did it as a result of it’s a good way to satisfy folks and make pals. You play for 40 minutes after which calm down — nice enjoyable.
Might you equally promote Sheffield Wednesday? We all know you’re a fan…
I get equally match from that however that’s from the stress of attempting to comply with them all over the world, logging on to the web in, say, Hong Kong, and attempting to take heed to the commentary. It’s an up and down life as a fan.
Nick Matthew makes use of the Dunlop Biomimetic Evolution 130, accessible for £139.99. To view Dunlop’s full vary of apparatus and attire, go to Sportsdirect.com, like Dunlop on fb.com/DunlopSport or comply with on Twitter@DunlopSport