I hope you all had a great Christmas and that you're looking forward to the New Year!
Since I did a bit of reflection for last week's edition, I thought it would only be right to give some predictions for 2025.
I've tried my best to make a variety of different predictions, and, I'm hoping that all 6 will have come to fruition before the end of the year, meaning that all players will have had the second half of this season to build more ranking points, followed by an end of season break at Summer, and then another half of a season before 2026 begins.
I've tried to be optimistic but not too outlandish at the same time...
Joel Makin To Reach Top 5
I know I've talked pretty much non-stop about Joel Makin this season, however, I'm a big fan and I do think that this is going to be his season.
I don't think it's much of a stretch to say that the Welshman will break into the top 5 within 2025, and I think he will reach that milestone before the end of the season.
Currently sitting at World No.6, he's been playing phenomenally well this season, almost as if a switch has been flipped since last season, however, that makes it sound like he's made a big change which isn't necessarily the case.
Joel is not doing anything drastically different, but, he just seems to be more consistent with his target hitting and he's a little more attacking than he used to be.
Makin still attacks at the right times but his winners are even shorter and more deadly than they used to be.
His attitude on the court and in interviews after matches also seems a lot more positive, he's very confident in his abilities and, in my opinion, in order to reach the top five players in the world, you have to believe that you're good enough to be there.
There's no questioning the fact that he puts in the work either. His fitness and strength are both impeccable and he's got the edge the longer any match goes on far.
So, for those reasons, I've got him breaking into the top 5 as my first prediction, however, staying in the top 5 is another question to answer.
Currently sat at World No.5 is Egypt's Mazen Hesham who is currently at the top of his game as well. I think Hesham fully deserves to be in the top 5 too and Makin has his work cut out if he's going to grab that spot.
Hesham did beat Makin in their last clash in a very close 3-0 match at the US Open, so there's that to think about.
However, if we look at Paul Coll who currently sits at World No.4, Makin has beaten Coll the last two times they've faced each other.
The last time was 3-1, and the time before that was 3-0. Perhaps it's the styles, or, maybe it's something that's simply gotten into Paul's head a little, however, there's no questioning the fact that Makin is a bit of a boogeyman for the New Zealander.
Further up, we've got Diego Elias, Mostafa Asal, and then Ali Farag at the top spot.
All three of these guys are playing unbelievably well right now.
I don't have Makin breaking into the top 3 in 2025 in my prediction for this very reason but that's not to say that things will change in coming seasons and years, I think it's just a case of taking it one step at a time for Joel, and, reaching that top 5 position is the next big milestone in his career.
Curtis Malik To Break Into Top 20
Curtis Malik is another big name in English (and indeed worldwide) squash at the moment.
Aged 25, he's been climbing the rankings incredibly quickly over the past few seasons. He first broke into the top 100 right at the start of 2022 and he hasn't stopped going up since then.
My prediction is that 2025 is going to be the year in which Curtis breaks into the top 20 for the first time.
Malik broke into the top 50 in October 2023, and, he now sits at World No.35 as I write this (which is his highest ranking of all time too).
Curtis has been coming up against top 20 players more and more frequently as he progresses through tournaments which will be working wonders for showing him how the more experienced and established pros play.
Curtis’s playing style and training ethic are two of his key standout qualities.
He combines consistent target hitting with precise shot-making and impressively efficient movement around the court.
His ability to control the pace and create opportunities from seemingly defensive positions highlights his squash IQ and versatility, despite still being younger than many players in the top 50.
I know for a fact that Curtis puts in a heck of a lot of work when it comes to his training too.
He and the rest of the Malik family often train together and they're a family of ridiculously good squash players!
You can just tell that Curtis is hungry for growth and progression too.
He’s a player who is putting in the hours to refine his game and learn from his matches, even if they're ones that he loses.
If he can build on the momentum of his 2024 season so far, particularly by breaking through to the later rounds in some of the higher-tier tournaments and securing wins against top 20 or even top 10 opponents, the rankings will naturally follow.
Amina Orfi To Make The Top 5
Amina Orfi is one of the most exciting talents in squash right now, and at just 17 years old (born 29th June 2007), she has already established herself as a formidable force on the PSA Tour.
Currently ranked World No.8, the Egyptian has been turning heads with her fearless play and remarkable maturity on the court.
As we look ahead to 2025, it’s hard not to predict that she’ll break into the top 5 and become an even more significant player on the world stage.
What’s so impressive about Amina is how complete her game is at such a young age. She possesses a lethal combination of agility, tactical shot-making, and raw power, which allows her to go toe-to-toe with the very best in the sport.
Her movement is smooth and efficient, she covers the court with ease and, she can turn defence into attack. She’s also incredibly intelligent on the court, with the ability to adapt her strategy mid-match, making her a challenging opponent for even the most seasoned players.
Amina’s rise through the rankings has been nothing short of meteoric, it feels like just this season that I spotted her name in a big event for the first time.
She broke into the top 20 back in October of 2023, despite being lower than 150 just a year before that.
If that doesn't speak volumes about Orfi's squash I don't know what does.
In September of 2024, Amina solidified her spot in the top 10, with standout performances against some of the world’s top players.
Despite her age, she has shown an uncanny ability to handle pressure and thrive on the big stage, with several wins over higher-ranked opponents. What’s perhaps most exciting about Amina is that she’s still developing her game—there’s no doubt that her best squash is still ahead of her.
Breaking into the top 5 will require Amina to maintain her consistency and continue to evolve her game, particularly against the likes of Nouran Gohar, Hania El Hammamy, and other elite players in the women’s game. But with her trajectory and mindset, there’s every reason to believe she’ll achieve it.
I believe that Amina's only shortcoming is perhaps that her concentration has the potential to go at crucial stages of big matches, but given her age, this is completely understandable and imagine that it's something that the young Egyptian will overcome quickly.
When it comes to head-to-head results against other big names, Amina hasn't yet beaten Nouran Gohar or Nour El Sherbini (the current top 2 players in the world), however, she managed to beat Hania El Hammamy, the current World No.3, in an epic five-game thriller at the Singapore Open.
That's a major win for Orfi which speaks volumes about the standard she's currently playing at.
The last head-to-head I'll mention is with Tinne Gilis, who currently sits at World No.5, and Orfi has actually beaten her in 2 out of 3 of the times they've played each other.
I actually believe that Orfi is already playing at a top 5 standard, she's just going to have to stay consistent and those points will come.
She also represents the future of women’s squash, and watching her rise has been nothing short of inspiring.
If she stays on this path, 2025 could very well be the year she cements her place among the world’s best.
Keep an eye on Orfi, she’s a star in the making!
Image credit: Steve Cubbins
Mostafa Asal To Reach World No.1 Again
My next prediction is for Egypt's Mostafa Asal to reach that World No.1 spot again.
Perhaps this is one of my more outlandish predictions given just how long the current World No.1, Ali Farag, has spent at the top spot in a row (hint, it's been about a year and a half straight).
However, the way Asal is playing at the moment makes me optimistic that he may have what it takes to dethrone Farag and claim that top spot for the second time in his career.
The charismatic and controversial Mostafa Asal has been one of the most talked-about players on the PSA Tour in recent years, and for good reason.
Known as "The Raging Bull," Asal combines incredible power, precision, and a fearless mentality to dominate opponents. He’s currently ranked World No. 2, which seems so close to number 1, but, we all know just how big of a leap that is to make!
At just 23 years old, Asal has already achieved so much in his career, including multiple major titles and a stint at the top of the rankings back in early 2023.
His explosive style of play is built around relentless aggression, power, pace, and a commanding presence on the court that often overwhelms opponents, stopping them from being able to play their own game.
Few players in the history of the game have been able to match his sheer physicality and ability to dictate rallies, especially at such a young age.
However, what sets Asal apart is his ability to back up his power with deft touches and a strategic mind, making him a truly well-rounded player.
I'm aware that he's not many people's cup of tea, however, the young Egyptian has been working with English squash legend, James Willstrop, on his on-court mindset and attitude, and, I think this has really worked wonders for his game so far.
I've come around to liking Asal more and more, especially this season so far.
While 2024 as a whole was a year of ups and downs for Asal, due to his polarising on-court demeanour and some disciplinary challenges, it was clear that his talent and hunger remained undiminished.
He showcased his brilliance with some outstanding performances, including memorable victories against the likes of Farag and Diego Elias.
At the moment, the top 3 of Farag, Asal, and Elias, make it very tough for me to make any predictions on who is going to beat who on any given day, but Asal has the gift of time on his side.
He's still learning and growing, despite being one of the best players in the world right now, and, he seems to be one of the only players who can overcome Farag on more than one occasion.
The pair have played a whopping 27 times with Farag winning 18 and Asal winning 9 of their clashes. If he can scrape the next few wins against Farag, I think that would be what it takes for The Raging Bull to reach World No.1 again.
Love him or hate him, you cannot ignore Asal.
His journey back to the top of the rankings would be one of the most captivating stories of 2025, and if there’s one thing we know about Asal, it’s that he thrives on proving people wrong.
Olivia Weaver To Break Into The Top 3
Olivia Weaver (formerly Olivia Feichter) is another name I've written about a lot recently in the On The 'T' Newsletter, however, this is because she's stood out so much on the women's PSA Squash Tour in 2024.
Like Joel Makin, she's really stepped up her game to a new level and has been able to maintain that level consistently, proving this again and again in matches.
Olivia broke into the top 10 briefly back in late 2022, jumped up to 7 in March 2023, then remained in the lower end of that top 10 section up until recently.
This is how I know that she's stepped up her game yet again.
Olivia jumped from World No.7 all the way up to World No.4 back in May of 2024, then, dropped to 6 briefly, edged up to 5, then to 4, and she's stayed there up until today!
She’s tantalizingly close to breaking into the upper echelon of women’s squash, however, anyone who follows professional squash knows that the top 3 spots in the rankings have been monopolized for what feels like forever by Nouran Gohar, Nour El Sherbini, and Hania El Hammamy.
The so-called "Big Three" have owned those top 3 spots up until now, but if there’s anyone who can disrupt that status quo, it’s Weaver.
I know that I've mentioned Orfi as a contender for those spots and I think that she might be a big problem for Weaver this year, however, Weaver has beaten Amina once.
This was unfortunately the only time the two have played so it's not much to go off, but, for now, I want to focus on Olivia.
What sets Weaver apart is her adaptability and all-around game.
She’s a thinking player who blends seamless consistency and strategic shot selection with impressive athleticism and court coverage. Her ability to mix up the pace and inject creativity into rallies often leaves opponents scrambling for answers.
Weaver is also incredibly mentally tough, she doesn’t shy away from pressure situations and often has the edge in the latter stages of monster matches that go the distance, which is a crucial quality for anyone looking to break into the top 3 in women’s squash.
That said, the challenge ahead is immense.
As I mentioned, the trio of Gohar, El Sherbini, and El Hammamy have been nothing short of dominant, setting the bar incredibly high with their consistency and championship pedigree.
Olivia has actually never beaten any of the big three, despite coming particularly close on many occasions. I think that, if she can break this barrier and take one scalp, it'll be a big mental hurdle to have crossed and will allow her to believe that she has what it takes to do it again and again.
Breaking into that exclusive club will require Weaver to elevate her game even further and find that extra edge, especially against Hania El Hammamy, the player she’s most likely to displace.
El Hammamy’s ferocious pace and competitive fire make her a tough competitor to overcome, but Weaver’s cerebral approach could be the key to tipping the balance in her favour.
One of Weaver’s strengths has been her ability to learn and grow. Over the past year, she’s refined her shot execution and improved her ability to close out tight matches, which will be crucial in her quest to climb higher.
Her physical conditioning and resilience also make her a strong contender in grueling five-game matches, where mental and physical endurance often determine the outcome.
Looking ahead to 2025, Weaver’s path to the Top 3 will likely hinge on a combination of consistency and breakthrough performances at major events.
If she can convert more of her deep tournament runs into finals, and perhaps claim a marquee title or two, there’s no reason she can’t achieve this milestone.
Sam Osborne-Wylde To Make His Name Known
This one's a special mention that I'll keep short for now, but, there's a new name on the block and you know I always like to mention up-and-comers in professional squash, especially when they're from England!
Sam Osborne-Wylde is another one of Rob Owen’s young players who only joined the PSA in February and currently sits at World No.122.
At just 20 years old, Sam Osborne Wylde was born on 16 January 2004 and he’s already made waves with his dynamic playing style and fearless approach on court.
Whilst I don't have any super specific predictions for Sam in 2025, I'm almost certain that he'll break into the top 100, and, maybe even the top 80 this year.
As he develops his game and adjusts to the demands of professional squash, don’t be surprised to see him deliver some upset victories and make deeper runs in tournaments.
He’s a player with immense potential, and 2025 could mark the beginning of a long and successful career on the PSA Tour!
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