In squash - The Podcast

PSA Gold and Platinum events are back—and with them, one of the standout tournaments on the calendar: the Optasia Championship, and with that we're joined by Bassim Haidar—Founder of Optasia and the driving force behind the event. Bassim shares his personal squash journey, from how he first got into the sport to becoming one of its most impactful supporters. We dive into his entrepreneurial story—launching companies in his early 20s and building Optasia into what it is today—before exploring what inspired him to invest in squash and help elevate it on the global stage. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at his long-standing support of the Mohamed ElShorbagy and Marwan ElShorbagy, his relationship with the Professional Squash Association, and how he's seen the professional game evolve over the years. With squash set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics, Bassim shares his thoughts on what the sport needs to do to capitalize on this historic moment. We also discuss: His partnership with Danny Lee and what makes the Optasia event tick The current and next generation of top players What he'd change about the global squash landscape And, of course, what he's most excited about for this year's Optasia Championship A brilliant conversation with one of the key figures helping push squash forward.

In this episode, I'm joined by Cross Court Analytics data analyst Tom Glover, who takes us behind the scenes of how elite players and coaches are using performance data to gain a competitive edge. We explore how Cross Court Analytics works with top professionals, what kind of insights players are actually looking for, and how those same tools can benefit club and amateur players. From identifying patterns in match play to breaking down decision-making under pressure, this is a fascinating look at squash through a completely different lens. Tom also dives into some recent and compelling case studies, including: What the numbers reveal about fast vs slow starters—featuring players like Mohamed ElShorbagy, Karim Abdel Gawad, and Ali Farag A data breakdown of the thrilling Zakaria vs Makin semi-final Insights into Marina Stefanoni's standout performances in Australia What's driving Paul Coll's recent success And a remarkable deep dive into 300,000 drop shots, where Nour El Sherbini emerges as the most efficient, alongside Youssef Ibrahim and Joelle King

Hadrian Stiff returns to the podcast for another thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation. Since we last spoke in a two-part episode on the mental and technical sides of the game, Hadrian has continued his work in New York while supporting elite players and juniors around the world. In this episode, we discuss his upcoming transition back to the UK and reflect on his time coaching at the Heights Casino in New York. Hadrian also shares insights from working within the US squash system during an important period leading into squash's Olympic debut at the LA 2028 Summer Olympics in. We also talk about the Olympic qualification journey ahead for Iain Yow, and what this historic moment means for players and coaches involved in the process. The conversation then shifts back to a topic Hadrian is especially passionate about: the mental side of performance. We explore how elite junior players deal with pressure, why learning to sit with disappointment is a crucial skill, and the role breathing techniques can play in helping athletes perform under stress.

Greg Marche makes a long awaited return after his remarkable run to the semi-finals of the Windy City Open, making him the second-oldest player ever to reach a major semi-final on the PSA Tour. Greg reflects on the tournament in Chicago, how his training and recovery routines have evolved as he's gotten older, and the adjustments required to stay competitive at the top level of professional squash. We also discuss the upcoming LA 2028 Olympics, his views on the qualification process, and what the opportunity means to him going forward. We also talk golf, a mutual passion of ours, and the positive impact golf has had on Greg's game and how it helped him during a difficult period in his PSA career. Great chat!!!

Zena Wooldridge, President of the World Squash Federation, returns exactly 100 episodes after her last appearance — when we were celebrating squash's successful bid for LA 2028. This time, we dive into where things stand now. We unpack preparations for LA 28, including the 16-player qualification pathway and the various scenarios that could shape the Olympic field. We discuss the Comcast venue, how the professional game is aligning with Olympic demands, and what changes fans might see as squash prepares for a global audience. We also look ahead to Brisbane 2032, with a crucial decision looming on squash's continued Olympic inclusion. An essential update on squash's Olympic journey — where we are, and what comes next. #weareopensquash #LA 28 #squashify #WorldSquashFederation

Squash Player Magazine's one and only Mike Dale is back on the pod for episode 387 — a long-overdue catch-up. The last time Mike joined us was a couple of years ago, recorded during his daughter's swim practice. This time, we reconnect in the aftermath of a house move and turn our attention to something far bigger: squash's road to the LA 2028 Olympic Games. With just 16 spots available in both men's and women's events, Mike breaks down the proposed Olympic qualification pathway, what it means for players, nations, rankings, and the competitive realities that come with such a limited field. We talk structure, timelines, and the inevitable questions and challenges that sit beneath the headline announcements. As always with Mike, it's informed, clear, and grounded in the realities of the professional game — cutting through the noise and focusing on what actually matters. #squashplayermagazine #weareopensquash #squashify

1975 British Open Champion and former World No. 1 Qamar Zaman returns to the podcast — and somehow manages to top his unforgettable appearance on Episode 217. In this wide-ranging conversation, Qamar reflects on the outstanding performances of World Junior Champions Amina Orfi and Mohammed Zakaria, both crowned winners at the recent Karachi Gold event, and what their success means for the future of the game. He also shares his thoughts on Pakistan's next wave of talent, with Noor Zaman and Hamza Khan both showing serious promise this season. We dig into Qamar's perspective on the Pakistani underage junior controversy, his candid views on the current men's World No. 1 Mostafa Asal, and the state of the modern game. And of course, no conversation with Qamar Zaman would be complete without a look back at history. We take a deep dive into his iconic 1975 British Open triumph, including a fascinating breakdown of his legendary quarter-final victory over Geoff Hunt. A masterclass in squash, past, present, and future — this is one not to miss.

Three finals on the trot and one of the matches of the year already on his résumé. Despite an early exit in Karachi, Youssef Ibrahim has been must-watch squash this season. We sit down with Youssef to unpack a remarkable run of form, including the China Open final with Mohamed Abouelghar that many have tipped as the match of the year. Youssef reflects on his season to date, how his body has responded post-injury, that epic China Open clash, and what lies ahead with the Tournament of Champions on the horizon.

Couldn't have asked for a better way to kick off 2026 than welcoming my partner in podcast crime, Squash Radio's Bill Buckingham, back on the pod. We chop it up for over an hour, diving deep into the season so far, the current state (and future) of SquashTV, LA 28 and beyond, and of course a healthy dose of Qwash Bad Squash.

I always enjoy getting caught up with people I haven't spoken to in a minute — but even more so when they're former world #1s and world champions like today's guest, the French General Gregory Gaultier. It's been close to three years since Greg was last on the pod, and there's plenty to dive into. We talk about Nour El Sherbini's outstanding Hong Kong Open performance, how their player–coach relationship has evolved, and we revisit Greg's unforgettable World Championship victory in 2015.

Season Recap: PSA, the Women's & Men's Game, and the Conversations That Shaped the Year In this solo episode, I give an unfiltered recap of the current PSA season across both the women's and men's tours — breaking down the standout performances, the clear cream of the crop, my players of the year so far, and who I think is genuinely knocking on the door as the next wave of contenders. I also tackle some of the recurring flashpoints from the season, particularly the ever-present officiating debate — what's being said, what's being missed, and why it keeps dominating the conversation. I finish by pulling apart a few of the louder threads from squash social media, taking on the hot takes, the keyboard-warrior commentary, and even the questionable fashion choices we've seen from certain players on tour.

Mohamed Abouelghar – “The Bullet” Is Back In this episode, I sit down with Mohamed Abouelghar, former World No.7 and now surging back up the rankings at No.15. Fresh off his spectacular China Open victory—his first title in five years and widely hailed as the best men's final of the season—Abouelghar talks us through the match that had everyone buzzing: a thrilling showdown with the electric Yousef Ibrahim. We dive into his long road back from knee surgery, the setbacks and frustrations along the way, and how he's rediscovered the form that once made him one of the most dangerous players on tour. We also look at his season so far, what's changed in his game and mindset, and what's next as he continues his climb. We also take a bit of a dive into recent rule changes and officiating. Great chat!!

In this episode, I'm joined by Duncan Riddell, a freelance squash writer whose new Substack, The Nick, should become one of the most exciting developments in the squash media landscape. Duncan is doing something rare in our sport: producing deep, thoughtful, long-form squash writing at a level of quality that frankly isn't easily accessible in the squash world. We'll be diving into his latest pieces, exploring the ideas behind them, and discussing what readers can expect from upcoming features on The Nick. If you're passionate about squash, storytelling, and elevating the way our sport is covered, you won't want to miss this conversation. Check out Duncan's work here: https://duncanriddell.substack.com/

Jesse shares the story behind his transition from the court to the mental game, how SportMind has evolved into where the very best in the world go to for their mental game, and the innovative ways his SportMind app is helping athletes build resilience, focus, and confidence. We also dive into his current work with some of the world's top squash professionals, including Victor Crouin, Sabrina Sobhy and Tinne Giles, and we discuss how the mental side of the game continues to shape the future of high-performance sport. Whether you're a coach, player, or simply fascinated by the psychology of performance, this conversation offers deep insights into the mindset of champions and the evolution of a brand redefining how athletes think, train, and compete.

The 2026 World Team Championships are headed to Cheongju, South Korea — marking the first time the country will host an event of this scale. Joining me is Sang Hoon Lee, who helps set the stage by sharing insights into Squash Korea, the successful bid, and the Cheongju venue itself. We also look back on the incredible performance of the Korean Junior Men's Team — with a special focus on Na Ju Young — one year after their unforgettable run at the 2024 World Juniors.

The “smartest and best squash player in the room” label fits Timmy Brownell perfectly. Timmy joins the pod to talk about his big win in Charlottesville, his outlook for the upcoming season, and his bold ideas for cleaning up the game—especially when it comes to asking for lets. He also breaks down the National Squash League, the draft, and what fans can expect in the season ahead. An awesome, insightful, fun chat with one of the game's sharpest minds.

Johnny Williams joins the pod to break down all the action from the first three major PSA events of the season!

The Open Squash Classic kicks off today in Manhattan, and #2 seed — and Open Squash–sponsored player — Victor Crouin returns to the pod! We chat about the event, how Open Squash continues to raise the bar and grow the game, and Victor's fantastic start to the season which sees him back in the top 10 after a semi final finish at the Egyptian Open. A tremendous conversation with one of the sport's most thoughtful and driven pros.

Gary Nisbet from Unique Fitness Solutions returns to the pod to share his 10 non-negotiables for squash training and nutrition—insights that will sharpen your game and elevate your preparation. Your host also breaks down the epic Qatar Classic showdown between Jonah Bryant and Mohamed Zakaria, while weighing in on the growing issue of referees handing out inconsequential warnings to players.

After nearly a year away from the PSA tour, Sabrina Sobhy returns as the top seed at this week's Nash Cup. We catch up with her four years after her first appearance on the pod, reflecting on her recent comeback at the London Classic, the challenges of her hand/wrist injury, the Nash Cup and its stacked draw and what it took to fight her way back onto the tour.

Adam Hawal has quickly become one of squash's brightest young stars after stunning the squash world by taking down former World No.1 and London Classic champion Paul Coll—despite being ranked more than 200 spots lower in the PSA rankings. As a result of his Egyptian Open escapades, he's launched himself close to 150 spots up in the rankings to world 114. In this episode, Adam and I dive into his breakout run at the Egyptian Open, his journey through the junior ranks, the role models who inspire him, and his future plans—including whether he'll follow in Ali Farag's footsteps and pursue the U.S. college squash route.

The Nash Cup is only a few days away, and Yahya Elnawasany joins us to talk about his 3rd appearance in this iconic Canadian PSA event. This time around, he's seeded 1, but the draw is stacked with some tremendous young talent. We talk about the Yahya's impressive junior career, junior days in Egypt, making inroads on the PSA tour, his epic 5 game thriller v. Yousef Ibrahim at the World champs last year, and of course, the Nash Cup. Great chat.

For 17 years, the Nash Cup has been lighting up London, Ontario, showcasing some of the very best talent in the game. At the heart of it all is Jay Nash—the host, the driving force, and the visionary behind this world-class event. In this episode, we dig into his backstory, the birth of the Nash Cup, how it's grown into one of squash's must-see tournaments, and what's in store for this year's edition featuring some of the brightest young stars on the circuit.

The Squash Summit 2025 kicks off in just a few days, ahead of the first Diamond event of the PSA season — the CIB Egyptian Open. Joining me is Adriana Olaya, Head of the PSA Foundation and the driving force behind this year's summit. The theme? The secret to Egypt's squash success — from grassroots to the PSA tour. Adriana breaks it all down in this episode.

After many head scratching years of wondering why pro league squash hadn't taken off in the US, Fernando Valdizan along with co-founders Spencer Lovejoy and Timmy Brownell have put something truly special together with the National Squash League. The NSL is set for it's 3rd season after 2 incredibly successful previous editions. Fernando and I talk about how this all came together, what it means for squash overall, expansion, and much more.

Class is now in session. Rob Dinerman has forgotten more about the history of squash than I'll ever know—apart from maybe Jonah Barrington—but few speak or write as eloquently about our beloved game as Rob. In this episode, he delivers a tremendous recap of U.S. College Squash's 2025 season alongside highlights from the latest U.S. pro hardball doubles circuit. He's also been busy off the court: within the past year, Rob has published two new books—Racquets at Rest and Racquets and Rivalries. He takes us inside both works, which you can find on Amazon

Fresh off an impressive showing at the 2025 World Junior Championships, US Junior National Team Director Karim Ibrahim joins us to share his thoughts on the team's performance and the event itself. Additionally, he discusses what makes Amina Orfi and Mohamad Zakaria so exceptional, weighs in on whether the gap between Egypt and the rest of the world is growing, and takes us inside the game of his uber-talented younger brother, world #10 Yousef Ibrahim.

Three-time British National Champion, 2014 World Team Champion with England, and a former World No. 5 — Sarah-Jane Perry's squash résumé speaks for itself. In this episode, Sarah reflects on her incredible PSA journey as she officially bows out from the pro tour. Her swan song came fittingly at the 2025 British Open, held close to home in Birmingham — the perfect time and place for a memorable send-off. We talk about career-defining moments, her player/coach dynamic with Rob Owen, what made this final British Open so special, and much more.

Squash Canada CEO Jamie Nicholls makes his debut on the pod—and he does not disappoint. We dive into Jamie's squash backstory, relive the glory years of Canadian squash, and trace his evolution from athlete to executive. He shares candid insights into his leadership approach, the vision driving Squash Canada forward (including the Road to the Podium fundraiser), and what it will take for our athletes to thrive on the road to LA28.

3 time British Open champion and former world #1 Nick Matthew breaks down the 2025 British Open which saw Nouran Gohar and Diego Elias emerge victorious. He also gives heartwarming tributes to the recently retired Ali Farag and Hall of Fame inductee Jonah Barrington. We also take a trip down his personal British Open memory lane. Great chat with The Wolf!!

Squash Player Magazine Editor in Chief Nathan Clarke jumps back onto the pod to recap the World Championships and set the stage for the iconic British Open which kicks off in a few days time. We also talk about the new Squash Player Magazine podcast which was launched just a few weeks back. Great chat.

For 26 years, Steve Lawton held down the fort as the head squash professional at the Vancouver Racquet Club. With over 30 years of experience playing at the highest level in Canada during an era where we had several players in the top 30 in the world, Steve brought to Canada a style of squash that had rarely been seen on Canadian courts, both in terms of squash flare and banter with the officials and his opposition. A true legend of the game, he's recorded big wins against top tour players at the World Team Championships and even took a game off former world #6 Jonah Barrington at the Canadian Open. In this episode, Steve and I take a deep dive into his incredible journey in squash—from his playing days to his enduring legacy in Canadian squash

Here's Johnny!! Back just in time to recap the season just ahead of the World Championships in a few weeks' time. Johnny's going to be at the World's in Chicago on the mic for SquashTV, and he's got his thoughts on how it's going to play for both the men and women.

At the age of 21 Mostafa Asal reached world number one for the first time, and he made it to the promised land once again a few months ago, recently retaining that top spot in a winner take all type final at El Ghuna earlier this April. In the aftermath of that win though, a youtube video titled "Mostafa Asal Cheating Analysis" was released highlighting 4 or 5 areas in Asal's game that they allege prove he is cheating. The video could have been an objective piece that identifies and discusses the leg trips, aggressive swings, and taking space issues, but instead the video is injected with troubling hateful language and doesn't raise any questions, only pointing fingers solely at Asal. Mostafa provides his thoughts on the video and how he's handling the upshot of it all. We also discuss the high stakes face-off with Ali Farag at El Ghouna, how he adjusted to life and squash in Pontefract, his relationship with coach James Willstrop, his brother Marwan and much more.

University of Pennsylvania men's team won its first ever Potter Cup in 2024, and proved they weren't a one hit wonder by winning it again in 2025. Head coach Gilly Lane talks about this year's win, winning two in a row, this year's team, the 7 seniors who will be moving on, College Squash individual champion Salman Khalil, and what it's going to take to make it a three-peat.

Parlaying a playing career which saw him reach world #1 in 2004 into an incredibly successful coaching career is not something you see very often, and the more of John White we see, the better it is for squash. John White ranks up there with the most exciting players in the history of our sport, and now he's developed a highly successful College Squash program at Drexel University from the ground up. John talks about Drexel's 2024/25 season which saw both men's and women's teams finish in the top 10, the tragic passing of former Drexel captain Filip Krueger, the National Squash League and the Philadelphia Lightning, and some nuggets from his days on tour.

Jamie Maddox is one of the most prolific content creators in squash today. For over a decade, Squash Stories has been the go-to online squash community, bringing players and fans together to discuss everything from the pro game and officiating to squash history, lore, and even the occasional laugh—all with squash as the backdrop. In this episode, Jamie and I discuss the evolution of Squash Stories, Mostafa Asal's return to world #1, the state of the pro game, the progress in officiating, and much more.

Squash Egypt has its first ever female President, Amna Eltarabolsy; former world junior runner up and world junior teams champion. She's been a member of Squash Egypt's board for several years, and now she's ready to take Egypt to yet another level. Amna lays out her vision, Squash Egypt's success at growing the game, its unparalleled junior program, LA 28, and much more.

Karim Darwish was one of the Egyptian greats, along with Ahmad Barada, Amr Shabana, Rami Ashour and Mohammed El Shorbagi, who laid the groundwork for Egypt's complete domination of the pro game. Darwish reached world #1 in 2009 and was part of 2 World Championship winning teams in 2009 and 2011. Karim's post playing career has been nothing less than impressive as well. He's the man behind the Wadi Degla Squash Academy, with 9 branches and counting, and over 2000 juniors across Egypt. Darwish also served as VP of the World Squash Federation and was part of the historic story behind squash's long awaited acceptance as an Olympic sport for LA 28. We take deep dives on all of this and so much more.

Not many can lay claim to being inducted into both the Canadian and US Squash Halls of Fame, but Gary Waite might be the one and only. 4 Time Canadian National Champion, World #1 Hardball singles and doubles, and as high as 12 on the pro softball tour, Gary Waite's eclectic squash accolades are unparalleled. Gary takes us back to the Sarnia wolf pack that laid the groundwork, memories and rivalries throughout the years in Canada, Canada's second place finish at the 1997 World Teams, his hardball days, his vision to bring hardball doubles into the mainstream of racket sports, Harrow Squash, Jack Fairs and much more.

The National Squash League launched in 2024 as a pro squash league unlike anything we've seen before. The brainchild of several young US squash brains including Timmy Brownell and Spencer Lovejoy, have come up with a concept that includes a match with 3 periods and a potential shoot out to determine the winning team. The Philadelphia Lightning are one of several expansion teams to join the NSL, and B.G. Lemmon and the rest of the ownership team in Philadelphia can't wait for the season to commence. Draft day, much like most professional sports, brings with it great anticipation as the list of players available includes none other than Mostafa Asal, Mohammed El Shorbagy and the Colombian Cannonball Miguel Rodriquez just to name a few. B.G. and I talk about all of this and more on Ep. 351

Miles Jenkins has been working with Joel Makin for the last 12 years; former college teammates at the University of Birmingham which was the beginning of the supremely successful player/coach partnership that we see today. Miles talks about those early beginnings with Joel, the evolution of Joel's game and the skillset which has him at #5 in the world, what is required to gatecrash Asal, Elias and Farag, and a deep dive into Miles' coaching philosophy. Many thanks to our sponsors Open Squash and Squashify.

Calgary's Bow Valley Athletic Club will host the Airsprint Private Aviation Canadian Men's Open in week's time and the Bow Valley brain trust, CEO Dean Brown and Darren Thompson, talk about the event, last year's epic final, this year's draw, the growth of BVAC since it reopened during Covid, and much more.

It's been an eclectic season for Canadian #2 and Pan Am Championships gold medalist Nicole Bunyan. We talk about her season which is about to get underway again and includes the Pan Am Champs, World Team Champs, PSA and of course Squash TV duties. Speaking of which, Nicole breaks down all of the finals day TOC drama both for the men and the women. And of course, she lays out a few things we ought to consider as regards our own game's as well as we flesh out some of her recent Squashletic content. Great chat!

2 PSA titles, top 10 status, 2nd place in the World Teams, and his third appearance on the pod! It's been a solid season for Marwan ElShorbagy, and he looks to build on this in 2025. We talk about his two wins, how competitive the top 20 is right now, playing for England, thoughts on playing a final in the first round of an event, and much more. Great chat as always.

Going undefeated at the World Teams including wins over England's Nathan Lake and a huge win over Ivan Perez to lay the groundwork for Canada's 11th place Playoff win over Spain definitely turned some heads and has some thinking the Canadian men might be back on track. Salah and I talk about the World Teams and Canada's best performance since 2009. We also look back a bit to his backstory which saw his family move from Egypt to Canada during his junior days with some encouragement from Canadian squash icon Gary Waite. Great chat with Canadian National Team # 2 Salah Eltorgman.

The first half of the 2024/25 PSA saw Hannah Craig make a name for herself, winning in Paraguay and moving well inside the world's top 100. 2024 ended with Ireland's long awaited return to the World Team Championships where Ireland placed a respectable 15th and Hannah won 4 of 6 matches. We talk about all of the above, along with her incredible years playing for Mike Way and the Harvard Crimson and most importantly her Canada/Calgary connection. Great fun, great chat!!

Canada's 11th place finish at this year's World Team Championship was the country's best since 2009, and Graeme Schnell's performance in the playoff v. Spain for that 11th place finish gave Canada the win. Graeme and I talk about Canada's performance at the World's, why things could bode well for Canada going forward, how he's managed to play his best squash in his mid to late 30s, the Calgary squash hotbed, and much more.

Finals day at the World Team Championships saw one of the most dramatic yet unexpected matches to kick off the men's final when Curtis Malik was only a few points away from giving England a 1-0 lead. Mazen Hesham's arsenal proved to be a bit too lethal in the end, but Malik put forth an incredible battle for 5 tremendous games. Curtis and I talk about his tremendous results at the World Teams which saw him go unbeaten until the final, the match v. Mazen, coach Crawford's decision to have lead off proceedings in the final, and much more.

At 35 years old, Nicolas Mueller is still playing top 20 squash, and has proven so this season with some very strong results, including a quarter final appearance in Qatar in October. Nicolas and I talk about Switzerland's 3rd place finish at the World Team Championships in Hong Kong last week, the promise that the team shows going forward, his passion for the game and dream to represent Switzerland in the LA 28 Olympics, and much more.