Team USA’s Chris Gordon made PSA World Tour history by setting the new record for the most PSA tournaments played in the men’s game with his 260th appearance at the NTA Squash Classic in Boston, May 18.
The New York-based world No. 65 takes the outright lead from Finnish legend Olli Tuominen, who made 259 appearances.
Gordon started his professional career twenty years ago at the James Baker & Associates 2002 Championships in Oklahoma, USA. Gordon was just fifteen years old when he played that event and lost out in the qualifying draw.
Gordon’s first title on tour came in the Japan Pro Squash Yokohama 2009 where he beat James Snell in a 52-minute final. He has captured a further five titles since his first.
The 35-year-old currently sits at No. 65 in the PSA rankings but has had a highest of No. 44 in 2013 and of those 260 tournaments, 14 have been at the biggest event of the year, the World Championships. With his first appearance being at the Cathay Pacific Credit Suisse Privilege World Open in 2005.
“At first I was really surprised that I was even close to the record but when I found out it was true that I would break the record it was really fulfilling,” Gordon said. “It made me stop and reflect on all the matches I have played and all the amazing places I’ve gotten to compete in and all the people I’ve gotten to know around the sport because of it; other players, organizers, referees, fans. Lots of little experiences stand out from so many different events but if I had to pick one event that always comes to mind it would be when I won my first title in Japan because it was such a unique place and getting that first title really validated my decision to play squash professionally.”
Gordon was the 2013 U.S. champion and has represented Team USA in seven Men’s World Team Championships, more than any other American.
“When I started on tour I never in a million years imagined that I would break any records,” Gordon said. “My biggest goal honestly was just to become a professional and hopefully have a career that lasted 10 years but I never dreamed that I would still be going or have been so lucky to compete in so many incredible places. I think to have longevity in any sport you have to be meticulous with your preparation and recovery. Also, I think it’s extremely important no matter how hard it gets to always find some aspect of the process that you really enjoy, it doesn’t necessarily need to be the same thing your entire career but there always needs to be something in the process of training, competing, and traveling that you love.”