Dubai break did wonders, says Massaro

England's Laura Massaro said that a self-enforced break in Dubai two years ago helped her take stock of things and come back a better player.

The World No.3, who completed a successful title defence of the PSA Dubai World Series Finals at the Dubai Opera, had contemplated quitting the game back then.

But that trip to Dubai gave her a fresh outlook and she has come back stronger than ever, an astonishing feat, considering the fact that at 33, she is part of the old guard, while some exciting young players have come on to the scene.

 "I came to Dubai when I almost had enough and I think it just put everything into perspective and then I realised I still have more to achieve in the game," said Massaro, who became the second woman after Malaysia's Nicol David, to win the title back-to-back.

And Massaro said retirement was not her mind at the moment.

"Luckily, since those two years have passed, I've achieved a decent amount so, I'm enjoying my squash at the moment. And if that's still the case then, yes," she said.

 "Every World Series we play, we are obviously the older ones on tour now and I think as long as I feel as though I'm still in contention to win titles, then I'm happy. So, to be able to win the odd one, British Open, made the final of the TOC (Tournament of Champions), and to win here, just makes me really think, like I'm still in contention, I can still win titles. And if that is still happening and if that's the case, then I'll carry on playing. I'm not going to be around very long if I can't win titles. So, it means I'm just really proud of my effort, proud of the training that I've put in before I come so, excited to win back to back titles," added Massaro, who won her second British Open title this year.

Massaro, silver medallist at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014, hoped for a hat-trick next year.

"It isn't an event that you can just win and enter again next year. Now, you have to put together a really good season to qualify again. So, it will be a shame if the defending champion wasn't here to defend the title. But, I will try my absolute hardest to get back to Dubai. I love it here, the set up is amazing. So, I'll try and get everything I got to be back here and defend my title," Massaro said.

Source: Khaleej Times