Jonathon Power Quotations

Retiring has been a very difficult decision for me. But I recognize that with my health being strong, I can use this next phase of my life as an active ambassador and catalyst for the growth of squash.

I was getting tired of travelling, I had just done a six-week trip in the Far East and it was kind of beating up on me. That's when I think I decided that I wasn't going to keep playing.

The Tournament of Champions in New York is where I won my first tournament. It is where I wanted to retire.

It was a very awkward decision for me but the way things were shaping up I couldn't do everything and something had to give. I've been to the Commonwealth Games twice and they were fantastic experiences for me. Winning there in 2002 was one of the highlights in my career. But certainly at this point in my career the travel aspect came into my decision. Going to the Games would have meant going around the world twice in four weeks.

That's always how I played sports from the time I was a kid. I just kind of developed that and it wasn't a reputation that I relished. I took more flak for it than anything but when you're competing you become a different type of person. You certainly become more instinctive and you react more than you have time to contemplate and control your emotions, or at least I do.

I'm actually happy to end my career able-bodied. I can't remember a No. 1 in the world stopping when he was still able to keep playing squash. I like that idea because I love playing and I want to be on the court coaching and doing exhibitions and promoting the sport.

I'm pretty exited about it, it's been a long four years. It's been a big goal of mine to get back to the top and I wanted to prove it to myself I could do it one more time.

I had to fight hard for every point.

I just kind of chucked it over the glass, stupidly, not thinking. That was a great match but not a great finish.