Nick Matthew, the top-ranked Englishman who was hoping to reclaim his world number one ranking following success in the ROWE British Grand Prix Squash Championship, was forced to pull out of the $92,500 PSA Super Series event today less than two hours before his opening match in Manchester
"During my practice session yesterday afternoon, I felt strange - my heartbeat was going at about 200 beats a minute – and by the time I got back to my hotel room I was really shivering," Matthew told the crowd at the National Squash Centre after seeing the EIS (English Institute of Sport) doctor in the same building.
"I woke in the middle of the night with a heavy fever and covered in sweat. I left it as long as I could today before making my decision, but the doctor has advised me not to play.
"I'm very disappointed to pull out," said the clearly emotional Yorkshireman. "It's my favourite venue and I was really looking forward to playing here."