The 34-year-old from Sheffield, who claimed his third world crown in Manchester last year, goes into the Championship under the radar after falling to number three in the world rankings behind Egyptian Mohamed Elshorbagy and Frenchman Gregory Gaultier, who he beat to glory in 2013.

But the resilient Matthew, known on tour as "The Wolf", claims he is happy to be considered the underdog ahead of the most prestigious tournament in the squash calendar, which takes place from November 14 to 21. 

"The World Championship is the reason you play," he said. 

"Everything else takes a back seat when you look at the calendar at the start of the year.

"This is the one that everybody wants."

Nick Matthew struck gold at this year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow ©Getty Images



Having made history in Glasgow this summer by becoming the first man to win back-to-back Commonwealth Games gold medals, followed shortly afterwards by the birth of his first child, this year has been one to savour for Matthew thus far.

But he knows he will have his work cut out to cap it all off with a fourth World Championship triumph.

"Every year you try and peak for the worlds but this year, with the Commonwealth Games and arrival of our first child, preparation hasn't been as fine tuned as perhaps last year, but in the last few weeks I've started to feel that things are coming together," said Matthew.

"There's no pressure on me though.

"I'm old enough now to be past the stage where I put unnecessary pressure on myself and I know that you can't win every tournament.

"I know that if I never win again I can look back and be happy with my career but that said, if I'm in my best form in Doha next week and do myself justice, then I know I can be challenging in the latter stages and I'm really looking forward to it."

Mohamed Elshorbagy is the current world number one ©Getty Images



Bristol-based Elshorbagy has been in sublime form so far this season, winning his last four tournaments and recording impressive victories over Gaultier in the process.

Matthew says the 23-year-old is the man everyone else has to beat in the heat of the Middle East.

"Mohamed has been the hunter throughout his career so far but now he's become the hunted," he said.

"It's how you react to that challenge and that position that determines a lot and I remember that when I got to number one for the first time, it was quite tough.

"I think I dealt with it better second time around but to be number one at his age is pretty special.

"Doha is also a venue that he enjoys and it's a pretty difficult place for western players to go to and win because it's sort of a home venue for the Egyptians.

"They get a lot of vocal support there and I remember the 2012 final between Ramy [Ashour] and Mohamed was a crazy atmosphere.

"There's a new court though this year and that could change the dynamic of the competition.

"Mohamed especially has said before that he would have taken the old court to any tournament in the world as he likes it that much, so that might have a bearing on what happens next week.

"Either way, I'm really looking forward to it."

Matthew begins his campaign against a qualifier on November 15.

Entry to all matches is free-of-charge and the competition will be screened live in its entirety on SquashTV.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
November 2014: Daniel Etchells: Excellent timing of historic squash merger with Olympic Agenda 2020 on the horizon
July 2014: Nick Matthew named Team England Flagbearer for Glasgow 2014 Opening Ceremony
June 2014: PSA World Squash Championships to make American debut in Bellevue in 2015
January 2014: Doha to host 2014 Men's World Squash Championships