Gaultier keen to build upon PSA Dubai World Series win

Denzil Pinto 06:18 30/05/2016
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  • Golden Gaultier: Gregory was the class of the field during the season-ending PSA Dubai World Series Finals.

    Newly-crowned PSA Dubai World Series Finals champion Gregory Gaultier has no plans of retiring yet and has set his sights on reclaiming the World No. 1 spot.

    The Frenchman sealed his third title in the season-ending tournament on Saturday evening in Burj Park after a superb 3-1 (11-4, 11-5, 8-11, 11-6) triumph over Australia’s Cameron Pilley.

    At 33-years-old, Gaultier is one of three players in the world top- 10 rankings over the age of 30. But he quickly quashed suggestions of retirement and warned his rivals he still has plenty of years ahead of him.

    “Yes for sure, I do want to carry on playing,” said the two-time British Open winner.

    “I’m 33-years-old but I still feel young. I’m still more experienced than what I used to be and I’m now more disciplined. I’m now playing smarter and I’m not wasting a lot of energy that I used to and that makes a difference.”

    Gaultier first became world No. 1 in November 2009 before reclaiming the honour for seven-consecutive months between April and October 2014.

    Since then, Egypt’s Mohamed Elshorbagy has taken the sport by storm, topping the charts since December 2015, apart from when he was briefly replaced by Gaultier.

    The world No. 2 is satisfied by his achievements but is desperate to replace Elshorbagy at the top.

    “Of course I want it. It’s going to take time because my season was screwed because of this ankle injury (that kept him out for two months in January),” said the three-time US Open winner. “I’ll just do what I can, but I’m happy with the goals I’ve reached. I want to win more titles and I’m still enjoying what I’m doing.”

    Meanwhile, world No. 13 Pilley believes he can take a lot of confidence from Dubai. The 33-year-old defeated three top-six seeds including Elshorbagy in the semis to reach the final and says he’s in the best shape that he’s ever been.

    “Mentally and physically, I feel the best I’ve felt in possibly my whole career,” he said. “I feel very confident in my game.

    “Physically, I’m looking after my body really well and moving the best I’ve ever done in my career, so it’s testament to the training that I’ve been doing as well as looking after my own body.”

    He added: “For sure reaching the top-10 is the goal but I want to take it one tournament and match at a time and concentrate on the rally in front of you before thinking ahead.”

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