Three-time Allam
British Open champion Gregory Gaultier is aiming to add another title to
his collection when the prestigious tournament takes place at Hull’s
Airco Arena between May 15-20.
The charismatic
Frenchman marched to his third British Open title in Hull last year when
he defeated home favourite Nick Matthew in the final and the
35-year-old is hoping to repeat his success and add a high in
what has proved to be a difficult season with injuries.
The World No.4
has suffered with both an ankle and adductor injury during the course of
the season but is ready to put that behind him as he aims to defend his
crown in Hull.
“Winning another
British Open would make me proud after the horrible season I’ve had full
of injuries, it would also put me in a good dynamic for the next season
too and give me confidence," said Gaultier.
“It’s also
recognition for all the people who worked and work for me still today,
they keep searching and adapting the work as I’m getting older to find
solutions to last as long as possible in the performance.
“Lifting trophies
is not only for my own pleasure but also for the pleasure of all my
team, sponsors and people who support me from all over the world. All
the hard work in life, all the sacrifices from everyone,
it will give them smile when I have that British Open trophy in my
hands.”
Last year’s title
win also saw Gaultier capture the top spot from Egypt’s Mohamed
ElShorbagy on the World Rankings as he became the oldest ever World No.1
at the age of 34 and the Frenchman believes that he can recapture
that form.
“I was focused on winning the event, the ranking wasn't my priority during the event – it is just a bonus.
“Of course,
becoming No.1 at 34 years old just shows that if you are disciplined and
take good care of every detail. Sometimes I wake up I feel like I’m 60
years old and sometimes I feel like I’m 20. I try not to
care about it, adapt and move forward to the goals I set myself. I
always believed I could come back to No.1 and I still do today.”
The British Open
is the sport’s longest running tournament with a record prize fund of
$165,000 up for grabs in both the men’s and women’s event and World No.4
Gaultier has a fond affiliation with the tournament
after capturing his first British Open title back in 2007.
“Winning the
British Open is as important as winning the World Championship to me. I
enjoy playing it because it’s one of the biggest targets of the year and
it has always been well organised in Hull the last few
years.
“It's also fun for me to challenge this new generation of Egyptian players.
“I was quite
young when I won my first title and I still remember today how it ended.
It’s a very special moment in life, especially when it’s your first
time to lift a trophy with all the big names that are on it.
It was special too as we were two Frenchmen in the final with [former
World No.1] Thierry Lincou.
“Thierry has been
always an inspiration and it was never easy to play him, but I remember
that day I managed to stop thinking who my opponent was and put more my
focus on my game. I played well all week, I remembered
my last three matches playing [Peter] Barker, [Amr] Shabana and
Lincou.”
Gaultier will line up against Australia’s World No.21 Cameron Pilley in round one at Hull’s Airco Arena.
Qualifying for the tournament takes place from May 13-14 at the University of Hull Sports and Fitness Centre, while the main draw will take place at the Airco Arena between May 15-20 with the exception of 23 of the
32 first round matches on May 15, which will be staged at the university.
Matches held on
the glass court at the Airco Arena will be shown on SQUASHTV (Rest of
World) and Eurosport Player (Europe only) while the semi-finals and
finals will be shown live on mainstream broadcast channels
around the world, such as BT Sport, beIN Sports, Fox Sports Australia
and Astro.
Follow the 2018 British Open at
www.allambritishopen.com and on Twitter: @BritOpenSquash
Tickets for the tournament can be purchased via Ticketmaster here:
https://www.ticketmaster.co.
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