12:41 am
20 May 2024

Adrian Grant Calls Time On Career

31 Mar 2016

In his 20th year as a world-ranked player, England's former world No.9 Adrian Grant has announced his retirement from the PSA World Tour.

The 35-year-old from London lifted 21 titles from 34 Tour finals - becoming England's third most successful title-winner of all-time (behind Peter Nicol and Nick Matthew) - and competed in more than 200 tournaments since 1998.

Away from the Tour, Grant won 68 caps for England - representing his country in two World Team Championships and three Commonwealth Games, winning Gold in the Men's Doubles in Delhi in 2010 and Silver (again with Nick Matthew) in the Glasgow Games in 2014.

As a junior, Grant won British titles at U14, U16 and U19 and went on to become the European Junior champion in 1999.

The left-hander, whose last appearance on the PSA World Tour was in November's World Championship, is joining Salming as a Global Brand & US Accounts Manager and will take up a position as the Head Pro at UCLA College in Los Angeles.

"It's known that I haven't been competing on the world tour for well over a year now, as I've been busy working on the next chapter in my life," said Grant.

"I'm honoured to be given two opportunities. Firstly, joining the Salming team as the Global Brand & US Accounts Manager which is one of the most exciting, dynamic squash brands I've been involved with during my time on the tour. Also, as the Head Pro at UCLA college in Los Angeles, building the junior academy and school program. I thank them both for sharing the same vision in helping grow the sport to continued great heights in different ways.

"Firstly, I'd like to thank my family for investing so much of their time and resources since the day I picked up a racket aged eight. They are the back bone of everything I've achieved and, as with all pro athletes and the highs and lows, they have always been my support unit.

"To England Squash and The England Institute of Sport, which I feel has the best services in the world, without them my dreams of winning Tour, World Team and Commonwealth Games titles wouldn't be possible.

"To my first coach, Allam Soliman, and most current, David Pearson & David Campion, who have all been instrumental in my development and professionalism towards the game on and off the court.

"I'm lucky to have the opportunity to give back to our great sport in ways that keep me involved at the high level which has given me so much and I'm excited about the next phase. I don't see this as the end, but the continued journey into what has been my passion for so many years.

"To all the friends I've made around the world and fellow pro athletes that I've battled with, win or lose, we are all part of one of the best sports out there and, with the PSA's and SQUASHTV's innovation, I have no doubt it will keep growing from strength to strength."