18 Jul 06 - Prince Squash Star Peter Nicol Plans Final Conquests

Peter Nicol, one the most successful squash players of all-time, is planning to hang up his Prince rackets after more than 12 unbroken years in the world top ten – but not until he adds another two major trophies to his already substantial collection.

The Englishman, winner of more than 50 major international crowns who boasts 60 months at the top of the world rankings, will defend his title next month in the Mamut English Open in his final competition on home soil, before bidding his farewell at the Al-Ahram World Open in the sport's most spectacular setting by Egypt's famous pyramids in Giza in September.

"I have had a wonderful career in squash and have largely achieved all the goals I set myself, but I still feel I have two more titles in me – and I'm training as hard as ever to wrap up my competitive career with two further wins," explained Nicol at a special reception hosted in his honour by England Squash at the RAC Club in London.

"The Mamut English Open is important to me because it's the event that my company Eventis promotes, and I want to defend my title at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield – and there was no way that I was going to pass up the opportunity to play my last event by the pyramids, where I won three Al-Ahram International titles and my one World Open trophy."

Born in Inverurie, near Aberdeen, in Scotland, Peter excelled at all sports when he was a child and took up squash when he was eight. After turning professional, he made rapid progress up the world rankings and earned some 66 caps for Scotland before shocking the sports world in March 2001 by changing allegiance to England to join and work with the country's World Class Performance Programme.

He went on to win six PSA Tour titles in the year and the following January regained his world No1 ranking, a position he held unopposed for two complete years – "none of which would have been possible without the England support," explained Nicol.

Based in London for more than 15 years, Nicol rewarded his country in the strongest possible way by clinching victory for England in the Men's World Team Championships in Pakistan last year.

"This is my way of repaying England for all the support they have given me over the years – the programme, the funding, the coaching, and everything else," said Nicol, who went on to earn 46 caps for England.

In March this year, he produced perhaps the most remarkable run of his career when he won the Singles gold medal in the Commonwealth Games in Australia, and capped this success by successfully defending his gold medal in the Men's Doubles – bringing his gold tally over three Games since 1998 to four!

"Winning the singles gold medal in Melbourne was the best experience of my squash career – it's as simple as that. I was more passionate, more open than I've ever been on court before – it's the first time I've ever been able to let my emotions go, rather than do 'the right thing' by keeping them suppressed," said the 33-year-old who was awarded an MBE in 1999.

Though he has a number of exciting new projects lined up, Nicol admits that there a lot of things he will miss about life as a professional squash player: "For a start, the training – always related to my next event. That will leave a big hole – I will still do some training, of course, but there won't be the goal.

"But whilst I'm really excited about moving into a new phase of my life, I'm also terrified," admitted Nicol, whose career title haul includes four US Opens; three Hong Kong Opens, Al-Ahram Internationals, Super Series Finals and Tournament of Champions; two British Opens, PSA Masters and British Nationals; and one World Open and World Games trophy – boosted by gold medals in the Commonwealth Games singles in 1998 and 2006, and doubles in 2002 and 2006.

When Nicol began his remarkable unbroken world top 10 run in May 1994 (at No8), only four other current world top 20 players featured anywhere in the world rankings – and all were outside the top 50!

Amongst a number of major projects that Nicol will pursue in his 'retirement' is the launch of Peter Nicol Squash Limited, a company he has formed with David Weddell, the former team manager of Eastcote Squash Club, the first ever English club team Nicol played for - 14 years ago!

"David and I lost contact for some years, but we met up again recently and, over a period of a few months, came up with the idea of a company to offer management advice and guidance to younger squash players."

The venture, which has close links with Prince, was launched with fast-rising Malaysian Mohd Azlan Iskandar, who now boasts a career-high world ranking of 12.

In October last year, Peter Nicol Squash attracted another Malaysian star, the record two-times women's world junior champion Nicol David. Within a few weeks of signing both to the company and Prince, David won the British Open crown for the first time – then in December clinched her maiden World Open title to become No1 in the first women's world rankings of the New Year!

"With David Weddell's commercial skills and passion for the game, and my experience as an international sportsman – coupled with the strong link with Prince - we offer considerable expertise and support for players like Azlan and Nicol."

Prince Sports' International Player Promotions Manager Andy Bunting led the tributes to Nicol: "It has been my honour and privilege to have known and worked with Peter for the last 14 years.

"When he joined Prince at the age of 18, how could anyone have known what an outstanding player Peter would turn out to be? There was never any doubt that he was going to be good, but little did I know that I had just signed a young player who would turn out to be one of the greatest players, if not the greatest, of all time.

"His value to Prince has been immense, his loyalty to the Company unshakeable. He is without doubt the perfect ambassador. He has represented Prince on many, many occasions - at exhibitions, clinics, sales conferences, etc, and he has always given much more than his contractual obligations.

"When he finally hangs up his racket and takes a well-earned rest from the circuit, it will be a sad day for the game of Squash, as he will leave a void almost impossible to fill. His very presence at a tournament always created a "buzz" - his very presence at a Peter Nicol Exhibition evening always ensured a full house. He always played the game with the utmost honesty and integrity and never gave less than a 100%. In terms of a role model - they just don't come any better!

"Fortunately for me, our long term business relationship has also turned into a close friendship, which I value greatly.

"I wish Peter every possible success in his new career, which I know will have very close links to the world of Squash. Peter will tell you he owes Squash a lot, and maybe he does, but his contribution to this wonderful sport of ours has been incalculable.

"To be number one in the world in any sport is a notable achievement. To be number one for five years is just extraordinary - and shows a huge amount of focus and dedication."

Howard Harding, Prince Sports Europe