Nick Matthew facts for kids
Nick Matthew at the 2017 Men's World Team Squash Championships
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| Full name | Nicholas Matthew | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Nickname(s) | “The Wolf” | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country |  England United Kingdom |
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| Residence | Sheffield, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 25 July 1980 Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England
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| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 77 kg (170 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Turned Pro | 1998 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retired | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Plays | Right Handed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coached by | David Pearson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Racquet used | Dunlop Force Evolution 120 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Men's singles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Highest ranking | No. 1 (June 2010) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Title(s) | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tour final(s) | 71 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| World Open | W (2010, 2011, 2013) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Nicholas Matthew, also known as "The Wolf," is a famous former professional squash player from England. He was born on July 25, 1980, in Sheffield. Nick is one of the best squash players ever. He won the two biggest tournaments in squash, the British Open and the World Open, three times each!
In June 2010, he became the number one squash player in the world. His home club in Sheffield, the Hallamshire Tennis and Squash Club, even named a special court after him. Nick Matthew married Esme Taylor in 2013. She is a sports physiologist. They welcomed their daughter, Charlotte Rose, on September 9, 2014.
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Nick Matthew's Squash Journey
Nick Matthew first became known as a fantastic junior player. He went to High Storrs School. In 1999, he won the British Junior Open for players under 19. He also reached the semi-finals of the World Junior Championships in 1998. Nick was part of the England team that won the world junior team title that same year. He started playing professionally in 1998.
Winning Big Titles
In 2006, Nick Matthew made history. He became the first English player since 1939 to win the men's British Open title. He had an amazing comeback in the final against Thierry Lincou from France. Nick was losing 0–4 in the last game but still managed to win!
He continued his winning streak in 2007 by winning the US Open title. He beat fellow English player James Willstrop in the final. Nick also won the British National Championship in 2006 and 2009. He was a key player for the England team that won the World Team Squash Championships in 2005 and 2007.
Reaching World Number One
The year 2009 was great for Nick. He moved up to world No. 4 in the rankings. He won the Qatar Classic Open title in November. In June 2010, Nick Matthew finally reached the top spot. He became the world's number one squash player for the first time.
At the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, Nick won the gold medal in men's singles. He defeated his friend and rival, James Willstrop, in the final.
World Open Champion
In December 2010, Nick Matthew won the World Open Men's Title. This was a huge achievement! He was the first Englishman in 35 years to win this major championship. He beat James Willstrop in the final in Saudi Arabia.
Nick won the World Open again in 2011, defeating Grégory Gaultier from France in Rotterdam. Even after dealing with an injury in late 2011, he came back strong. He won the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions, beating James Willstrop, who was then world number one. Nick then got his number one ranking back.
In 2012, he won his third British Open title. This made him the first Englishman to win the title three times in the modern era of professional squash.
Nick Matthew won his third World Open title in 2013. He defeated Grégory Gaultier in a very long and exciting match in Manchester, England. This win put him in a special group of players who have won three world titles.
More Success and Commonwealth Games
In February 2014, Nick won a record sixth British National title. He beat James Willstrop in the final. He also won his fourth Canary Wharf Classic title.
The 2014 Commonwealth Games brought more success for Nick. Even with a knee injury, he was chosen to be the flag bearer for Team England at the opening ceremony in Glasgow. He won a gold medal in singles, again beating James Willstrop in a thrilling match. He also won a silver medal in doubles with Adrian Grant.
In 2015, Nick continued to win. He became the first man since Ramy Ashour in 2013 to win three PSA World Tour titles in a row. He won the Swedish Open, Windy City Open, and a record-breaking fifth Canary Wharf Classic trophy.
Nick had more success in 2016, despite some injuries and illness. He won a record eighth British National championship title in Manchester. He beat James Willstrop again in the final. On the PSA World Tour, he reached three major finals but finished as runner-up to Mohamed El Shorbagy.
Nick Matthew Off the Court
Nick Matthew is not just a great player; he also helps others. In February 2016, he started the Nick Matthew Academy in Sheffield. This academy helps coach and develop the next generation of English squash players. It guides children from beginners to elite players.
Nick also works with different companies and supports the England Squash organization. He has been a supporter of the Sheffield Children's Hospital since 2014. In November 2016, he was named an Athlete Ambassador for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
World Open Final Wins
Nick Matthew won the World Open three times. Here are the details of his victories:
| Outcome | Year | Location | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
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| Winner | 2010 | Saudi Arabia |  James Willstrop |
7–11, 11–6, 11–2, 11–3 |
| Winner | 2011 | Rotterdam, Netherlands |  Grégory Gaultier |
6–11, 11–9, 11–6, 11–5 |
| Winner | 2013 | Manchester, England | Grégory Gaultier |
11–9, 11–9, 11–13, 7–11, 11–2 |
British Open Final Appearances
Nick Matthew played in five British Open finals, winning three of them.
| Outcome | Year | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 2006 | Thierry Lincou |
11–8, 5–11, 11–4, 9–11, 11–6 |
| Winner | 2009 | James Willstrop |
8–11, 11–8, 7–11, 11–3, 12–10 |
| Winner | 2012 |  Ramy Ashour |
11–9, 11–4, 11–8 |
| Runner-up | 2014 | Grégory Gaultier |
11–3, 11–6, 11–2 |
| Runner-up | 2017 | Grégory Gaultier |
8-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-3 |
Images for kids
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Nick Matthew at the 2017 Men's World Team Squash Championships
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Nick Matthew holding his 2006 British Grand Prix Squash Championships trophy
