Legend Laura Massaro to retire after the British Open...

Don’t know you, but I am starting to feel EXTREMELY old, with Nick Matthew last season, Greg Gaultier probably not coming back, then Ramy Ashour, Nicol David, Jenny Duncalf and now Laura Massaro announcing she’ll be retiring at the end of the British!

Here is what she had to say…

Retirement statement

Posted on 8th May 2019

“After a lot of thought and discussion with my family and my team, I have decided to retire at the end of this season.

My final two events will be on home soil at the Manchester Open from 9th – 13th May and the Allam British Open in Hull from 20th – 26th May and I can’t think of a better way to say goodbye to the squash family and everyone who has supported me over the years.

Even though this decision is never easy for any athlete, I’ve had sixteen years on the professional tour and I know in my heart that this is the right time. I have given all I have to be the best squash player that I can be so there will be no regrets or thoughts of what might have been.

I’ve been really lucky to have a healthy body, a really long career, and it’s probably been more that I’ve ever expected in terms of titles and my achievements in the game

There’s no point in trying to chase the world’s best when my best level of squash is probably behind me, and it’s going to be very hard to get that back. I’ve always gone after being the best in the world and winning titles. But I think it’s time to hang up the racket, give a little bit back now and watch these amazing youngsters do their thing on court.

I’m hugely proud of what I achieved, I always wanted to be successful, I wanted to hang up my racket feeling that I couldn’t have achieved any more in the game than I have, whether it was titles or the level of play.

I’ve worked hard and how I’ve overcome the many bumps in the road that come with a career in top level sport and I’m just as proud of that as I am of the things I’ve achieved on court. I feel very lucky to have had the experiences I’ve had, all while playing a sport that I’ve loved since I was a little girl.

I’m excited about the future and I’m looking forward to sharing what I’ve learned and hopefully giving back to the sport that has given me so much.

That’s down to everyone that’s helped me in my career. There are too many people to mention, but DP [David Pearson] and Danny [husband Massaro] go without saying. I owe my level of squash to them, along with all the other coaches who have helped me on my way.

They, along with the physios, fasciotherapists, Caroline, Jade, Vicky and Sylvan, have helped my movement be so efficient and given me my longevity, along with Mark Campbell, who has given me the strength and fitness to maintain my level. Without all of them, my career wouldn’t have been what it has been.

Most of all I’d like to thank everyone who has cheered me on. Squash fans are an amazingly committed and passionate bunch and I can’t wait to play in front of you all in Manchester and Hull.”

Laura x

Laura Massaro Achievements

World Champion – 2014 Penang, Malaysia (first Englishwoman to win the title for 15 years)
World No.1 – January 2016
World Series Finals Champion – 2016 & 2017 Dubai
British Open Champion – 2013 & 2017 Hull (2013 became the first English woman to win the title in 22 years, in 2017 became the first Englishwoman since 1951 to win the title twice)
US Open Champion – 2011, 2015
Commonwealth Games Silver Medallist – 2010 Doubles, 2014 Singles & Doubles
British National Champion – 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017
23 Professional Tour Titles

PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough said:

“Laura has always been a consummate professional. Her success on the tour has been testament to her hard-work and unwavering mental strength.

“Laura has been an incredible role model for aspiring squash players, and everyone at the PSA wishes her well for the future.”

Laura will appear as the #5 seed at the Manchester Open and #8 seed at the British Open, both taking place later this month.