Gaultier (L) failed to win any of the four World Championship finals.

There is a distinction, though not a proud one, that often precedes Grégory Gaultier. He invariably carries it with him, even for exhibition matches like the one he played in Mumbai. Of the four Squash World Championship summit clashes and the five Hong Kong Open finals that he’s played in, the world No. 2 hasn’t managed to win any.

The unwanted record isn’t something the 32-year-old claims has troubled him before, but of late, there is a sense of frustration that has grown. Yet with it, a degree of determination has crept up. “It’s always the goal to become world champion. To be in the final four times and fall at the final hurdle just increases your hunger for it,” he asserts.

Age, however, isn’t on his side anymore. The former world No. 1 reckons he has a few more years before the required levels of athleticism get the better of him, hence the urgency. “Competition these days is getting tougher and tougher. I’m not as fit as I used to be and the play is getting faster and stronger. Not to mention my opponents are getting younger,” he says. Yet the desire to win the two elusive events hasn’t left him yet. “It’s just a matter of setting a goal, and going out to achieve it. That’s all,” he adds.

No regrets

At the same time though, the Frenchman is preparing himself for the possibility of finishing a career without having won the world event. In that case, he claims he won’t be overly disappointed. “I’ve won so many other major events and I’ve got a strong legacy back home. Life will go on and there won’t be any regrets,” he mentions.

Of the many accolades he has achieved, the one that stands out is his first of two British Open titles. That was back in 2007, when he became the first French winner of the event. Subsequently, his achievement served as a catalyst for the sport to pick up rapidly in France. Two years later, when he became only the second Frenchman to claim the top ranking spot in the world, his fame reached legendary proportions. “People would call or send me text messages to try cheer me up after every loss or congratulate me for each win. I got plenty of messages when I got the world No. 1 spot,” he explains.

Gaultier’s last stint on the top of the world rankings, which lasted nine months and ended in November last year, was cut short by an Achilles injury. Recovery stalled his preparation for the new season, though he did manage a runners-up finish at the Swedish Open and a semi-final exit at the Windy City Open. Nonetheless, the British Open in May is his next major target. Following that he will look towards the World Championships in November. “Maybe I’ll be lucky the fifth time,” he concludes.