Kingston upon Hull, United Kingdom--Nick Matthew, the three-time British Open champion, has slammed all those who have been trying to talk him into retirement.
The 34-year-old Englishman will become the oldest British Open champion of the professional era if he takes the 2015 title, but his age is not viewed positively by all observers.
"Some people have a habit of trying to retire you," said Matthew ahead of the start of the tournament in Hull on Monday.
"I don't know why that is, but it happens once you get to a certain age," added Matthew, who is nine months older than Geoff Hunt when the Australian great won the last of his eight British Open titles in 1981.
"I went through a stage where I became a little bit frustrated (about this kind of questioning) because the results speak for themselves. They show I am not slowing down," he insisted.
His three successive titles -- the Swedish Open in Linkoping, the Windy City Open in Chicago, and the Canary Wharf Classic in London -- certainly suggest that Matthew was the form player of the early part of this year's Professional Squash Association tour.
However, he is now dealing with the effects of an ankle injury which caused his retirement in the semi-finals of last month's El Gouna International in Egypt.
It happened not long after a thrilling victory over world number one Mohamed El Shorbagy in the Chicago final.
"Injury does create a few negative thoughts," Matthew admitted. "I've definitely had a few niggles, despite some good results. I have been in and out of the physio room more than usual, and that makes you wonder."Z
AFP
