Cusk calls it a day
Australia’s Ryan Cuskelly has announced that he has retired from professional squash after his defeat to Mohamed ElShorbagy at the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions on Saturday.
At No.23 in the world, Evans Head-born Cuskelly, 32, was the highest ranked Australian on the tour, and won 16 trophies on the professional circuit, the last of which came at the 2018 Chicago Open.
Cuskelly notably reached major semi-finals at the 2015 Qatar Classic and 2016 Hong Kong Open and reached a career-high of No.12 in the rankings.
Since turning professional in 2006, Cuskelly won 16 PSA Tour titles from 25 finals, and won 279 of his 481 matches on the tour.
Alongside national teammate Cameron Pilley, Cuskelly won a bronze medal in the men’s doubles at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, and the pair won the WSF World Doubles title in 2017 and 2018.
He was part of the Australia team that finished on the podium at the 2017 WSF Men’s World Team Squash Championship.
Addressing the crowd at New York’s Grand Central Terminal, Cuskelly said:
“I’ve loved playing this tournament, I’ve been based here for the past 12 years, so it’s pretty much like playing at home.
“10 years ago, I turned my wife to the dark side here. I played Nick Matthew on this court, and I think she fell in love with me somehow then. I’m very fortunate to play this tournament, it’s always run so well.
“Unfortunately it wasn’t the best match of my life, I think I’ve played better than that and maybe a few beers last night didn’t help! I’ll definitely have a few tonight.
“I had some good wins over my career, and unfortunately it’s come to an end and I just lost a bit of passion for it. A huge thank you to my wife, it’s the best support I’ve ever had and she’s the best person I’ve ever met, she’s supported me all through my career.
“Even when I come home grumpy and in a bad mood after losing to guys like this, she still always supported me and never gave me any trouble if I wanted to travel and we’ve got a beautiful girl now, Sophia.
“To everyone who has come out to watch me and support me during my career, thank you. I’ve got all my best friends and family here. Also a huge thank you to Rob Owen and his wife for looking after me in England when I was travelling through the UK and the Middle East, they’re like a second family to me.
“The biggest thank you goes to Rod Martin. He brought me over here when I was 20 years old. I think I had a pair of board shorts in the middle of winter! The things he has done for me are unbelievable, he’s one of the best coaches in the world and has an unbelievable heart, so I owe this to him.”
