Defending Champion Gregory Gaultier will head to the PSA Dubai World Series Finals as the in-form man after winning his last six world tour titles since finishing runner-up at January’s Tournament of Champions in New York.
The 34-year-old has won his last six world tour titles since finishing runner-up at January’s Tournament of Champions in New York.
His unbeaten run, which could stretch to over 30 matches when the action commences in Dubai from June 6-10, has seen him return to top spot in April’s PSA world rankings, as well as stretch his record as the sport’s oldest world No 1.
The Frenchman, who is now number 2 in the world, qualified second in the PSA Road to Dubai standings, and says he will now look to replicate last year’s sizzling form in the emirate.
Gaultier said: “I’ve had an amazing run since January and of course I want to finish the season on a high note as well in Dubai and hopefully perform the best I can.
“There’s no secret, it’s all about hard work. I’ve been training hard for 30 years. My motivation this year came from the frustration I had in 2016, missing so many events through injury.
“That really fired me up, but I’ve also been able to relax myself on court and that’s allowed me to play better squash and I feel better for it.”
Only the top eight ranked men’s and women’s players in the PSA Road to Dubai rankings qualified to contest the season-ending PSA Dubai World Series Finals.
Two round robin groups of four will contest the $160,000 Finals at Dubai Opera and Gaultier will have his work cut out in perhaps the toughest of the four quartets.
With only two players qualifying for the semi-finals, Gaultier will be up against three former world No 1’s in Ramy Ashour, Mohamed ElShorbagy and James Willstrop in the best-of-three format.
“It’s an intense sport and the key is the recovery I do between matches and between events with my team,” added Gaultier.
The 2015 world champion dropped only two games on his way to the Dubai title last year, performing brilliantly in front of his wife and son.
He added: ““Winning there last year – on my first time in Dubai – was amazing. I had a really unique moment with my kid coming on court to celebrate with me – that moment will live in my memory forever.
“They’re coming with me again this year so hopefully they will bring me that good luck again.”
Tickets for the World Series Finals can be purchased at dubaiopera.etixdubai.com.
The PSA Dubai World Series Finals takes place from June 6-10, 2017 with the tournament match schedule to be announced on Monday June 5. All of the action will be shown live on SQUASHTV (rest of world) and Eurosport Player (Europe only).
Group stage matches will take place at 3:00pm, 3:45pm, 16:45pm and 17:30pm (Group A) and 21:30pm, 22:15pm, 23:15pm and 00:00am (Group B) between June 6-8 with the semi-finals due to take place from 21:30pm on June 9. The finals will commence at 21:30pm on June 10.
