World champion Nick Matthew returns to the PSA Tour this weekend at the U.S. Open determined to “really enjoy” his squash after his summer break.
The 34-year-old second seed, whose first match is against a qualifier on Sunday, has vowed not to put any pressure on himself in his first Tour event since the Allam British Open in May and his first big tournament since retaining his Commonwealth singles title in July.
Writing in the Sheffield Star, the world no.3 says: “It’s unusual to start with such a big event as the U.S. Open. Normally you would play in two or three tournaments before playing a big one.
“I was absolutely wiped out after winning Commonwealth gold in Scotland because of the nature of the competition and the stress of trying to get fit for it following the [knee] op.
“After the Games, I took around three weeks off and then got back into training. I started to feel good and Esme delivered our little girl Charlotte, so it’s been hard trying to get into any sort of rhythm with my training.
“As an athlete, the hardest thing is that first week back after you’ve had time off. Whenever you’ve had a break and try to get back into your routine, you are tired, rusty and out of shape. Everything hurts and your body is screaming at you. Once you get through the first week, the worst is over.
“The training gets harder after the first week, but your body is ready for it. Usually, you will go through that first week three times a year – once after the summer break, maybe over Christmas and another point in the year. I’ve had that first week four times!
“From a personal point of view, having a baby and winning Commonwealth gold, I wouldn’t change a thing. It has been an amazing year.
“From a squash point of view, I’m ready not to have that first week ever again. It’s been the hardest summer of my career in terms of trying to do my training.
“Now I’m going to go back on the Tour, not put too much pressure on myself and really enjoy it.”
Report courtesy of EnglandSquashAndRackets.com