In squash - The Podcast

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! 🏆 We dive into the standout performances, surprises, and storylines so far — plus Johnny shares his take on the new look Squash TV production and how the officials have been managing the matches this season. Tune in, share your thoughts, and let’s talk squash! 🔥

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