One last trick shot: England’s Daryl Selby retires from the professional tour

Master of trick shots and sending the crowd wild, England’s legendary Daryl Selby has announced his retirement from professional squash. Since making his debut in 1999, Daryl has 128 caps for England, 3 Commonwealth medals, 13 PSA titles, and a phenomenal 293 wins to his name.

In this exclusive interview, Selby chats to England Squash about ending his career on a high at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, what he’ll miss most about being on tour, and his aspirations for the future.

Reflecting on his career, Selby candidly shares some of his favourite moments with us.

“Winning the World Junior Championships with England when I was seventeen. That was my first taste of big success on a world stage and playing for England. It was an extremely proud moment."

“Also winning the British National title in 2011 and beating reigning champion and the then World No.1 Nick Matthew. To beat the best player at the time is very special.

“And then there was the Men’s World Team Championships in 2013 in France, beating the hosts in the semis and Egypt in the finals. There was huge crowds! Obviously, all the Commonwealth Games medals I’ve managed to win have to be up there with my highlights. Winning the first one with James in Glasgow – and then the last two where I played in Commonwealth finals. Such proud moments to participate in and win silver medals.

Having competed in over 200 tournaments, Daryl got to travel the world and make friends along the way; an experience he’ll always treasure.

“I’ll miss the challenge. The challenge of travelling, the challenge of playing in tournaments, the challenge of trying to beat people. I’m a competitive person and I always enjoyed that aspect of it. I’ll miss the socialising too. I made some very good friends on tour and it was brilliant to travel and see new places, new cities, and new cultures.

Daryl ended his storied career with a hugely successful Commonwealth Games for Team England, where he just missed out on adding a gold medal to his extensive list of achievements.

“It was nearly a fairy tale ending if we’d managed to win gold but the amount of positive memories I have from it far outweigh anything negative. We lost to a great pair and good friends [James Willstrop and Declan James].”

“I’m also proud of the way that we played, we were seeded four coming into it, and seeded eight in the Gold Coast. So for me and Adrian [Waller] to get a silver both times shows the consistency and quality that we have, especially in doubles. Playing in a Commonwealth final to finish my career was amazing, especially as it was in front of family and friends. I’m hoping my kids will be able to remember watching – I think my boys will as they’re nine and seven – Isla who’s only four might not quite remember!”

On losing to compatriot James Willstrop in the men’s doubles final, Daryl acknowledges that he’s one of the fiercest competitors.

“Two of my peers who I grew up with, Greg Gaultier and James Willstrop, both those guys are hugely tough competitors on court, I think I only beat both of them once each and played them so so many times. I mean I had lots of good matches but couldn’t find a way to beat those guys on a consistent basis.”

Despite the losses, Daryl always had time for a trick shot, some of which were craftily planned.

“Some of my trick shots are a little bit premeditated, and by that I mean I know that the game has probably not gone my way – I’m either tired, not quite feeling it, or struggling that day. If you look at some of the scores when I’ve done trick shots, I’m maybe two-love down, but saying that you still have to execute the trick shot well.

“There are times when I’m trying to hit a really cool shot because I’m always trying to entertain the crowd. But plenty of my best trick shots have been absolute spur of the moment. It comes from me mucking about on a squash court and probably from me being a little bit lazy with my footwork and relying on having good hands – which in some ways is not a great thing playing squash as you need good footwork!

“There are some enjoyable shots to look back on and hopefully some inspirational ones for kids to try as well.”

The Selby family are no strangers to inspiring the younger generation, with their company Off The Wall Squash which runs one of the biggest primary school programmes in the country.

“I can’t take any credit for Off The Wall as that’s mainly down to my sister, Lauren along with the team around her that deliver the school sessions. But when it comes to their Roman Cup, I’ve presented prizes and refereed occasionally and it was amazing to see 150 primary school kids, most of whom had never seen squash a year or two ago, playing competitively and playing rallies. It really is incredible.

“The advice I’d give to juniors is to just enjoy it. Find a friend to play with, jump on court and just hit a ball and run around. It is literally that simple. If they get to a competitive stage, then I’ve always said this to my kids; it’s the way you conduct yourself. As long as you give 100% on court, that’s all that matters.”

Sons Noah and Harrison are following in their dad’s footsteps, and are clearly a chip off the old block.

“Noah has been playing in the Under 11s England Squash tournaments and Harrison, who’s seven, has been playing a few Under 9s tournaments – he’s managed to get himself in the top 10 in the Under 9s and Noah’s 19 in the under 11s!

“They’re both doing really well and they both love squash. It is really lovely to see them playing. My dad gave me the opportunity to play lots of sports; both him and my mum drove me everywhere when I was a kid. So I give my kids the same opportunities too. They play football, cricket, and have just started playing golf - because I want to give them the chance to enjoy different sports.”

Even though he’s hung up his racket, Daryl won’t be disappearing from the world of squash any time soon.

“I’ll still be involved in a little bit of squash, I’m on the board for the PSA, and Off The Wall Squash occasionally. Obviously the boys play and Isla might start playing soon as well. I’ve got my own Sports Management company, Dynamic 7 Sport which I’ve had for about five years. I help a lot of athletes, mainly in squash, supporting them in their journeys with things like sponsorship. I really enjoy it.”

To wrap things up, Daryl had a few people to thank for supporting him throughout his career.

“As I said before, my mum and dad drove me, my sister, and brother everywhere to get to different sporting events. I’ve just started doing that journey myself and I feel like a taxi service! Without their time and commitment, I obviously wouldn’t have got to where I got to.

“My wife and I have been together ever since I became a professional squash player and she’s always supported me. Especially more recently, while I’ve been going away for weeks at a time she’s been smashing it at home looking after our three kids. She’s a great mum to them.

“From a squash point of view, there’s a long list but it’s definitely got to be Paul Carter. Some of my fondest memories I have of being a pro were in the Potter’s Bar days when we had a squad of players down there. It was just a really good atmosphere; Carts was a brilliant coach and motivator and he put a lot of time and effort at that stage in my career. I never really had a proper one-to-one coach and Carts was almost like another father figure for me.

“There’s David Campion and Chris Robertson at England Squash too. They both were pretty influential in me playing as well as I have in an England shirt for a long time.”