Peter Marshall (squash player)
{{Short description|English squash player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{BLP sources|date=March 2010}}
{{Infobox squash player
| image =
| caption =
| full_name = Peter Marshall
| nickname =
| country = England
| residence =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1971|5|12}}
| birth_place = Nottingham, England
| height =
| weight =
| turnedpro =
| retired =
| highest_ranking = 2
| date_of_highest_ranking = November 1994
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalSport | Men's squash}}
{{MedalCountry | {{ENG}} }}
{{MedalCompetition | World Championships}}
{{MedalSilver | 1994 Barcelona | Singles}}
{{MedalBronze | 1993 Karachi | Singles}}
{{MedalBronze | 1997 Petaling Jaya | Singles}}
{{MedalCompetition|World Team Squash Championships}}
{{MedalGold|1997 Petaling Jaya|Team}}
}}
Peter Marshall (born 12 May 1971 in Nottingham, England) is a former professional squash player from England. He is notable for his unique double-handed playing style.
Early Career and Junior Success
Marshall demonstrated exceptional talent from a young age, winning British junior titles across all age groups: under-12, under-14, under-16, and under-19. He won the British Open U19 tournament in 1989 and the World Masters U23 Championship in 1990. He was coached and mentored by six-time British champion Jonah Barrington.
Professional Career: Rise to World No. 2
Marshall first attained the England No. 1 ranking in November 1991, holding the position unchallenged for four years. He also held the No. 1 ranking in both Britain and Europe for several years.
The 1994-95 season was a highlight of Marshall's career. He reached the final of five PSA Super Series events and reached a career-high World Ranking of No. 2 in November 1994, behind Jansher Khan. Many observers believed he would challenge Jansher Khan for the World No. 1 spot.
He finished runner-up to Jansher Khan at the World Open in 1994 and the British Open in 1995. He also secured notable victories against reigning World Open champion Rodney Martin and a historic win against Jahangir Khan at the World Open in Johannesburg, becoming the first British player in 11 years to defeat him.
Marshall won the British National Championship three times: in 1992, 1994, and 2000.
Playing Style
Marshall was renowned for his unique double-handed playing style, a technique he developed in childhood due to his smaller stature and the weight of racquets at the time. Despite advice from many coaches to switch to a single-handed style, he persisted with his two-handed approach. His flexibility allowed him to use both one and two hands effectively on his forehand, giving him exceptional reach. He was known for his disciplined, patient, and well-organized game, possessing exceptional length and a deceptive double-handed backhand. He employed a steep downward swing, aiming for the ball to "die" in the back corners, and was adept at playing deceptive angles.
Battle with Illness
In 1995, at the peak of his career, Marshall was afflicted with glandular fever, which sidelined him from top-level competition for two years. He was later diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), which continued to impact his career.
Return to Squash and Later Career
Despite the significant setback, Marshall displayed remarkable resilience. He returned to the professional tour in 1997, reclaiming his place in the England squad and contributing to their victory at the World Team Squash Championships in Malaysia. He broke back into the world's top-10 in 1999 and won his third British National Championship title in February 2000.
After his peak professional career, Marshall continued his involvement in the sport. He won the Over-35 British National Championship in 2008 and the British Open Masters Over-40 title in 2016 and 2018. He most recently won the Over-40 British National Championship in February 2024.
Post-Retirement Activities and Advocacy
Marshall released his autobiography, Shattered: A Champion's Fight Against a Mystery Illness, in 2001, detailing his struggles with chronic fatigue syndrome.{{cite book |last= Marshall |first= Peter |title= Shattered: A Champion's Fight Against a Mystery Illness |publisher= Mainstream Publishing |date=March 2001 |isbn= 978-1-84018-395-5}}
He holds a BSc in Physiotherapy from the University of Nottingham and an Executive MBA from Imperial College London. He later worked for Ernst & Young.
Marshall is actively involved in the squash community and served as an Ambassador for Access Sport. He is currently a trustee for the England Squash Foundation. He is also a founding member of Independent Squash Minds. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Professional Squash Association in 2015. In 2023, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the University of Nottingham.
Major Tournament Results
| class="wikitable"
|+ Peter Marshall's Major Tournament Results ! Tournament ! Year ! Result ! Opponent |
| World Open
| 1994 | Runner-up |
| British Open
| 1995 | Runner-up |
| British National Championship
| 1992 | Winner | Bryan Beeson |
| British National Championship
| 1994 | Winner |
| British National Championship
| 2000 | Winner | David Evans |
| World Team Squash Championships
|1997 |Winner |(England Team) |
| British Open U19
|1989 |Winner |
| World Masters U23 Championship
|1990 |Winner |
British National Championship Record (Post-Peak)
| class="wikitable"
|+ Peter Marshall's British National Championship Record (Post-Peak) ! Year ! Category ! Result ! Opponent ! Score |
| 2008
| Over-35 | Winner | -- | -- |
| 2016
| Over-40 Masters | Winner | -- |
| - |
| 2018
| Over-40 Masters | Winner | -- | -- |
| 2024
| Over-40 | Winner |Phil Rushworth |11/4, 11/7, 11/4 |
References
{{reflist|refs=
{{Squash Info|peter-marshall/106|Peter Marshall}}
{{cite news |title=Squash: Marshall's rebellion within |first=Iain |last=Fletcher |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/squash-marshalls-rebellion-within-1235500.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220526/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/squash-marshalls-rebellion-within-1235500.html |archive-date=26 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Independent |date=12 October 1997 |accessdate=21 December 2010}}
}}
External links
- {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820023527/http://www.squashpics.com/topmen/peter_marshall.htm |title=Page at Squashpics.com }}
- {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040515191714/http://www.ayme.org.uk/article.php?sid=13&id=18 |title=Interview at AYME website }}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Marshall, Peter}}
Category:English male squash players
Category:Sportspeople from Nottingham
Category:Alumni of the University of Nottingham
Category:People educated at Millfield
Category:British physiotherapists
Category:People with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome
{{England-squash-bio-stub}}