LAURA Massaro didn’t want a fuss, fanfare or farewell tour, the 35-year-old wanted to do what she does best - go out fighting.

The former world number one’s battling spirit is as well known on the tour as much as her long list of titles she has racked up in a glittering 16-year career - including two British Open titles.

And as the Chorley star prepares to call time on her career at this year’s British Open in Hull, Massaro wants the world to see her famous clenched fist celebration on show just a few more times.

“I want to go out fighting, I want to beat a couple of top ranked players and see what happens,” said Massaro who faces either Tinne Gillis or Rachael Grinham in the second round today (Tuesday). “That would be the perfect way to finish.”

“I purposely left it as late as possible to announce my retirement because I didn’t want it to be like a farewell tour and have to answer questions about it every time I went in to a tournament.

“I thought announcing it before two home tournaments was the perfect time. Finishing my career on home soil is the ideal way to go.”

Massaro admitted emotions got the better of her when she announced her retirement two weeks ago, emotions that came flooding back when she stepped on court at the Manchester Open days days later.

“There were tears and I don’t know why,” she said. “I think it was because it was out there.There was a finality and knowing that I wasn’t gong back.”

Massaro is seeded eight at the British Open and is scheduled to play 16th seed Hania El Hammamy in the third round before a possible quarter final clash with either Camille Serme or Tesni Evans in the quarter finals - and chance to take one more big scalp.

But Massaro says her career will not be defined by what happens in Hull this week and she just wants to do herself proud.

“What will be will be,” said Massaro. “My career is set, the last event is not going to make or break my career but I would love more than anything to perform well there and hear the crowd get behind me one more time.”

Despite all her honours - including the World Open title in 2013 and back-to-back PSA World Series crowns - Massaro says remaining in the top 10 for more than 11 years is one of the most pleasing.

“I think it is the longevity and the consistency that I am most proud of the most,” she said. “Staying in the top 10 means I have played well, that I have won events in that time.

“I’ve always said that if you win, the rankings look after themselves but the rankings are a good indicator of how well you have performed.

“When the last rankings game out before I retired and I stayed in the top 10, someone mentioned to me that I had been in it for more than 11 years and that was very pleasing.”

In a short film released in 2017 to celebrate becoming world number one, Massaro recalled how England Squash Academy players were asked to describe her - words such as determination, grit and warrior, the title of the film, were mentioned.

“I’ll take that,” said Massaro. “That is a nice way to be remembered. I’d also like to be known for having a killer backhand drop shot but I’ll take warrior.”

But alongside warrior you can add the word winner and Massaro would love nothing more than to enjoy that feeling a couple more times this week.