Englishman Nick Matthew has announced that the 2017/18 PSA World Tour season will be his last, with the 37-year-old set to retire from professional squash at the end of the campaign.

Matthew, who is based in Sheffield, is one of the most successful British squash players of all time, having amassed three World Championship titles, three Commonwealth Games Gold Medals and three British Open crowns as part of a haul of 35 PSA World Tour titles – while he also topped the World Rankings for a total of 19 months.

In an announcement posted on his official YouTube channel 'Nick Matthew Squash', the man known as 'The Wolf' courtesy of his reputation as one of the sport's most tenacious characters, admitted that the the 2017 AJ Bell PSA World Championships in Manchester from December 8-17 and the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia will be his main focus for the season.

“I’ve decided, after a lot of thought and talking with family and friends, that this is going to be my last season on the PSA World Tour,” said Matthew.

“But it’s not sad, I’m really excited by the opportunity ahead in my last season on the Tour.

“We’ve got the World Championships in Manchester and I’ve got some amazing memories of the last time the Worlds was there in 2013. Then there are the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in April 2018. It’s one of my favourite events ever and I’ll be doing everything in my power to win a fourth Gold medal.

“Potentially my last tournament ever will be the British Open so what a way that would be to finish, in my home country with one of the most traditional titles in squash.

“Looking back I’m so privileged to have met so many people and shared so many memories along the way. I’ve had all the threes, three World titles, three Commonwealth Games gold medals and three British Opens so hopefully I can get a fourth of one those this season.”

Matthew goes on to thank fans for their support over the years and reveals plans for the future:

“A big, big thank you to all the squash fans out there who have supported me throughout my career at home and abroad. The support has been absolutely amazing, I think this is my 20th season on the PSA World Tour, but I’ve been playing since the age of eight and have made so many friends around the world.

“But you won’t get rid of me that easily as I’ll be involved in squash forever. I’ve started my squash academy in the UK and US, the Nick Matthew Academy, to help produce the next generation of talent as well as to grow this amazing sport that’s given me so much.”

Nick Matthew: Career Stats

PSA Matches: 681

PSA Match Wins: 502

PSA Titles: 35

PSA Finals: 75

PSA Tournaments Played: 205

Months As No.1: 19