In Squash - The Podcast

As you might expect, Squash TVs Johnny Williams gives a very insightful recap of the HK Open finals and the first half of the 2022/23 season. We talk about Asal's unbelievable comeback and HK Open victory, how Diego let this one get away from him, the several officiating missteps, the fact that Hania's definitely trending towards #1, who he expects to end the season at the top of the heap in the men's and women's, and who is coming through that could find themselves in the mix at the top of game. OPEN SQUASH sponsors this podcast, so check them out at www.opensquash.org

Former World Junior Champion, reigning Malaysian National, reigning Asian Squash Championships Champion and current world #20, Eain Yow Ng is without question a force not to be overlooked on the tour. His current ranking of 20 certainly understates his potential, as has been evident with his performances over the past few seasons. Eain admits though that he needs a bit more consistency and self-belief to take his game to the top 10. This was a great chat that covers his successful season till now including his victory in Cleveland and win over world #2 Paul Coll. Eain also speaks to the importance of winning his first Malaysian Nationals and in getting a Malaysian winner at the Asian Squash Championship after an 11 year absence. We also talk about his recent trip to Korea and the unique pro squash scene that exists there. Also, don't miss the premier of the Jamie Maddox Mohammed El Shorbagy Song, the sequel to the classic of four years ago. Many thanks to the sponsor of the In Squash Podcast Open Squash, ww

This is a recap of the Singapore Open and the 2022/23 season till now. Gerry opines on the Singapore Open event, Mohamed El Shorbagy and Joelle King's impressive performances along with the drama of the men's semi final b/t Diego Elias and Mostafa Asal. On top of that, Gerry gives his thoughts on the season till now in both the men's and women's game. Check out www.opensquash.org

Since his retirement in 2014, former world #1 and current World Squash Federation VP Karim Darwish has been just has impressive off the court as he was while playing the PSA. Karim reached world #1 in 2009, becoming only the 2nd Egyptian to do so, and during an era which included the likes of Amr Shabana, Thierry Lincou, David Palmer, Jonathan Power, Nick Matthew, Peter Nicol amongst many other greats. Karim speaks about the glory days on tour and the post PSA chapter which includes spearheading the incredible growth of Wadi Daegla Darwish Squash Academies, growing the game throughout Egypt and his thoughts on global growth, the current PSA tour and the story behind IOC Chairman Thomas Bach's visit to the Egyptian Open, the recent WSF AGM and his take aways from that, and much more. Many thanks to our sponsor www.opensquash.org

In 2018, Open Squash's vision was to "build a center designed and targeted for squash players and make it available to all socio-economic segments of the local community by keeping our outreach broad and by making court time affordable" (https://opensquash.org/2018/10/). That vision remains front and center to this day. Open Squash Executive Director Cleve Miller talks about his unique squash backstory, Open Squash's early days vision, its execution and evolution, growing the game via the Open Squash vision, and the growth possibilities going forward. An absolute must listen for all of us in the squash community. Check out www.opensquash.org

10X Scottish National Champion and former world #24 Alan Clyne has called it a career on the PSA tour. The next chapter is an exciting one as Assistant Coach at Princeton. Alan looks back at his decision to retire from the PSA, his PSA career, his 10 Scottish national championships, playing for Scotland in the future, and the exciting next chapter at Princeton. Check out www.opensquash.org

The only man to beat Jahangir and Jansher Khan in the same event, the 1991 World Open, Rodney Martin has parlayed a great playing career into a coaching a career that sees him as one of the very best in the game. Rodney talks about the key figures in his stable currently, women's world #1 Noran Gohar, men's #6 Marwan El Shorbagi and men's #28 Abdullah Al Tamimi. We get into his thoughts on the technical side of things, and why squash players need to be wary of the over abundance of what he terms "gimmicky" coaching that's out there. Rodney's awareness of the Mostafa Asal on court issues dates back several years, and he provides his insight into this and his thoughts on what those of us on social media think of the issue. And, we also discuss the problems Australian squash has had in reliving its glory days when it was producing the game's very best players . Rodney hits this one out of the park. Great chat. Many thanks to our sponsors www.opensquash.org

2022 Commonwealth Games gold medalist Gina Kennedy couldn't have written a better script for the 2021/22 squash season. She reached #8 in the world after starting the season miles below that, she reached the season finale pro tour finals in her first full season as a pro, and to cap it off Gina brought home Commonwealth gold in the ladies squash singles. Meanwhile, 2022 has gotten off to a slow start due to a few nagging injuries, but her performance at the recent Grasshopper Cup bodes well. Gina and I talk about all of the above and more, and we talk about her coach Ben Ford, who sadly lost his wife earlier this month. Our deepest condolences go out to Ben and his family. Also, I provide my two cents worth on the Rob Owen/Joel Makin controversy that erupted following episode 233 with Rob Owen. This comes in the conclusion to this episode. Many thanks to our sponsor www.opensquash.org

June 14th of this past summer was a sad day for the squash world as Camille Serme announced her PSA retirement due a pair of serious achilles injuries. Camille retired as one of the best players of her generation, reaching world #2 and winning the British Open, the US Open and the Tournament of Champions twice. Camille tells us about the struggles she had in attempting to recover from injury, her illustrious career and its highlights, her relationship with several players including Raneem El Welily, and what her sights are set on going forward, and her sights are set on bringing the PSA spotlight to Paris next summer with the venue being the Palais de Tokyo. And, judging from this conversation and what we know of Camille, we're in for a real treat. Tremendous chat with Camille Serme. Check out our sponsor, www.opensquash.org

Without question, Rob Owen is among the very best coaches in the pro game today. That is non-negotiable. The success that he's had with players in his stable is impressive: former world #1 and current #2 Paul Coll, SJ Perry, Joel Makin, George Parker, Nele Giles, Jasmine Hutton, Dimitri Steinmann, a number of England's top juniors, and the list goes on. Rob's approach to the game and vision for the game is unique, and needs to be heard. We talk about his career, many of his current and past players, the pro game and a few of its cast of characters, officiating, coaching certification and his approach to coaching, playing in outdoor venues, and much more. Many thanks to our tremendous sponsor opensquash.org

The Jet, Dimitri Steinmann has kicked off his 2022/23 campaign by reaching the third round in Qatar, round 2 in Cairo, winning his second Swiss National title, and he's kicked off the US Open with a first round victory. This all bodes well for Dimitri as he sets out to build on his current world ranking of #40. We talk about his start in the game, his parents who both represented Switzerland in the Olympic Games, his coaches Rob Owen and Rod Martin, the impact the Swiss Rocket Nicolas Mueller has had on his squash, winning the Swiss Nationals for a second time, and the Top Gun 1 remake, with a squash twist, in which he plays the starring role. Fantastic young talent and a great chat on ep. 232. Many thanks to our great sponsors https://opensquash.org/

PSA Refereeing Director and former England Junior National Coach Lee Drew makes a triumphant return to the podcast. We look back at his tenure at Squash England where he ran England's National Junior Team, and how proud he is of everyone involved after the men's junior team title victory over the summer. Lee also takes a deep dive on PSA officiating, in particular helping us get our heads around let call nuances, as well as the new 4 review + 1 in the fifth system that was introduced recently. He also gives his thoughts on the PSA season to date, and how he feels about weather and other elements impacting pro squash outdoor venues. Great chat.

Abdullah Al Tamimi reached the last 16 of the 2017 World Championships in Manchester, and a year later reached a career high of 23 in the world. Since then, he's had to overcome a litany of injuries, but what we saw last season and certainly in the first two events of this season bodes very well for a return to his earlier form and then some. Abdullah and I take a look back at the early days where his dream was to play professional football. His relationship with Geoff Hunt eventually guided him to where he is today(on the squash court), and we talk about this and is current coach Rodney Martin. We also take a look at his recent impressive Qatar Classic performance, his thoughts on the men's game today, the nuances of movement and subtleties of blocking, and so much more. Many thanks to our sponsor https://opensquash.org/

Sadly, US Squash has lost two legends of the game, Pete Bostwick and Sam Howe. Rob pays tribute to these two American greats.

To many, England winning the Men's World Junior Team Championships this summer came as a huge surprise. To head coach Josh Taylor, he felt it was there for the taking. What a finale it was to his tenure with Squash England. We talk about the big win and the cast of characters on the team, along with Finnlay Withington's runner up finish in the men's individual and Saran Nghiem's near upset in the women's quarter's to #1 seed Kenyz Ayman. Josh also looks back to his early coaching days, his thoughts on how to inspire and bring the best out of young talented juniors, and his plans going forward which include launching his own academy.

He rose to the very top of the PSA, world champion, world #1, over 40 PSA titles. Don't look now, he might be doing just the same in the coaching game. He helped Nour El Sherbini secure the PSA Tour Championship at the end of last season, and he's got Mohammed El Shorbagy, winner of the season opening Qatar Classic, playing some of his best squash in years. Gregory talks about his approach to the coaching game, and the attention to detail that he expects of himself and the players he works with. We talk about the resurgence of Mohammed El Shorbagy, being a part of Team Sherbini, his work with Saurav Ghosal prior to the Commonwealth Games, and a brilliant look back at some memories of his playing days. Thanks to our sponsor https://sprout.link/weareopensquash/

2011 British National Champion, 3 X Commonwealth Games medalist, 2013 World Team Championship winner with England, and a tremendously successful PSA career which saw him win 13 titles and reach world #9, Daryl Selby can retire from the PSA a very happy man. Daryl talks at length about his squash career and the aforementioned accomplishments, including which one he holds dearest. We also get into the upcoming season, who his odds on favorites are on the men's and women's sides, England winning the men's World Junior Team Championship, and a tremendous anecdote about playing golf with British Open legend Tom Watson.

Saurav Ghosal, at the age of 36, is playing some of the best squash of his PSA career. 2021/22 was one of his best seasons, if not his best, with impressive results throughout the year including a TOC semi final appearance and earning the bronze medal at Commonwealth Games. He's also taken on the role of PSA's Men's President from his predecessor Ali Farag. We flesh out about all of the above and then some. Many thanks to our sponsor https://opensquash.org/

Nouran Gohar just completed one of the most impressive season's of squash in recent memory: reaching the final of every PSA event on her 2021/22 calendar, finishing the year as world #1 and earning PSA Player of the Year honors. Nouran is box office each time she steps on the court, and she's a big reason why so many of us can't wait for the start of the 2022/23 season. Nouran looks back on her best year of squash to date, her recent run of training, the unfortunate incident in the Tour Final event v. Hania El Hammamy, and how excited she is about women's squash heading into the new season.

There's a new podcast in town, 32 episodes deep; The Rally Report. Sean Choi, former Wesleyan University #1 got the podcast ball rolling last November, and he hasn't looked back. It was great to compare notes with Sean in terms of our respective pod experiences, but the squash talk was the highlight. Sean and I fleshed out growing the game, the unique Korean squash scene, squash media and our PSA thoughts, both last season and for 2022/23.