Australian squash player Anthony Ricketts has announced his retirement from the PSA Tour, having been unable to return to full fitness following surgery to repair cartilage damage to his right knee.
In a professional playing career spanning over 10 years, the 28-year-old former World No. 3 from Sydney, an Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Scholarship holder since 1995, won silver medals at consecutive Commonwealth Games; helped Australia to win the Men’s World Team Championship; and extended his PSA World Tour haul to nine titles, from seventeen final appearances. His title triumphs include the prestigious Tournament of Champions, Super Series Finals and the British Open.
Renowned for his aggressive and uncompromising style of play, Ricketts enjoyed an impressive run of form at the beginning of last year which saw him win the Virginia Pro Championship as well as being runner-up at the Windy City Open in Chicago and Tournament of Champions in New York. However, the two-time Australian Open champion spent most of 2007 recovering from a fifth operation to his right knee—and following an extensive rehabilitation program, he eventually conceded that the symptoms experienced over recent years have worsened to the point where he can no longer continue to compete professionally.
“I have had a wonderful time playing on the World Tour since competing in the 1996 World Junior Championships in Cairo, and my announcement comes with great disappointment and immense sadness,” said Ricketts. “I certainly felt I had many good years ahead of me and was confident I would be able to continue to challenge for the sport’s major titles.”
Gawain Briars, PSA Executive Director said: “This young man has been a model member of the PSA and has played his squash with 100% commitment. Whilst he will be missed from the circuit, I hope we shall continue to see Anthony within squash circles.”
