Chris calls time on his pro career
CHRIS SIMPSON has announced his retirement from professional squash.
Speaking from his Harrogate home yesterday, the 32-year-old Guernseyman revealed that it is something that he had been considering in recent times, but the catalyst for the decision came somewhat out of the blue this month.
‘It has been on the horizon for a little while, but I got a really good job offer for a role that’s going to be starting in January – the offer actually came while I was playing in the last tournament of the year at St George’s Hill,’ Simpson said.
‘When I had my hip operation in 2017, I started doing an accountancy qualification, which I now have, and studying financial planning and I will be going into a trainee role in Leeds.
‘I will stay involved in squash as much as I can. Moving into a “normal job”, I hope to be able to carry on playing in leagues. I think I will be able to maintain my level reasonably well.
‘In saying that, there are a few other sports I used to play when I was younger that I am looking forward to trying again. As a professional, I spent all my energy playing and training for squash and rest days have to be for rest, so you can’t do much else [sports-wise].’
In his career Simpson reached the heights of the world top 20 and he has 10 tour titles on his CV.
‘I feel really sad on one side, but I don’t think I have too many regrets – I’ve given it my all.
‘Although it only feels like I have been on tour for a couple of years, it’s actually over 14 years now since I went professional so I am really lucky to have done it for so long.
‘I feel like I’m still playing reasonably well at the moment, but in truth I’ve never really recovered from that hip operation.
‘After it I was training to get back, potentially, to where I was before and waiting for the hip to get better, but my body was just not letting me do it so when I got to the point that I realised I cannot do the work that needs to be done I knew it was going to be coming to an end sooner rather than later.’
