I'm not going to take full credit for this topic, however, I am very excited about writing it!
When I'm struggling for inspiration, I sometimes ask friends and fellow squash players for their ideas on topics that I can cover on our blog.
A good friend of mine suggested doing a bit of a deep dive into the history of some of squash's most renowned World No.1s.
So, that's exactly what I'm going to talk about!
This week, I'll be delving into 10 of the most well-known and accomplished World No.1s (from the mid-1900s up to now) and will talk a bit about their career, achievements, and reigns at World No.1, and much more.
Let's dive in...
Heather McKay
Heather McKay, born in Australia, is one of the first names that comes to mind when I think of the greatest squash players of all time. Despite her ridiculous squash achievements, McKay isn't talked about anywhere near as much as she should be in my opinion.
She absolutely dominated the sport in the 1960s and 1970s, losing only two matches in her entire career and winning 16 consecutive British Open titles from 1962 to 1977 in the process too.
From stories I've heard and read online, Heather sounds like an absolute bada** too!
Both of her two professional losses were early on in her career, with the second being in the Scottish Open final in 1962. Following this defeat, Heather said that no one would ever beat her again...
...and she kept her word!
Now, Heather retired in 1981, which was two years before the first official women’s world rankings were created, but, I think it's pretty fair to say that she was a World No.1.
McKay's playing style was built on precision, consistency, and incredible movement.
She was known for her ability to read the game, making it difficult for opponents to break her rhythm. Unlike many dominant players who rely on overwhelming power or athleticism, McKay’s game was about control, accuracy, and relentless pressure.
A style that matches her mindset perfectly.
During Heather's reign, she had few close rivals because of her sheer dominance. While players such as Marion Jackman and Sue Newman challenged her at times, none could consistently trouble her.
After retiring from squash in the late 1970s, McKay successfully transitioned into other sports, including professional racquetball, where she also became a world champion.
Quite the résumé.
Jahangir Khan
Pakistan's Jahangir Khan is often the first name that comes to mind during squash's GOAT (Greatest of all Time) debate, and, it's easy to see why!
It's undeniable that Jahangir is one of the most legendary figures in squash history.
His dominance in the 1980s was absolutely insane, and his achievements will most likely never be matched.
Jahangir is best known for his ridiculous unbeaten streak of 555 matches from 1981 to 1986, which is supposedly the longest winning streak in any professional sport!
That stat alone sums up just how far ahead of his competition he was. During this time, he also won 10 British Open titles in a row from 1982 to 1991 and claimed 6 World Championships.
Jahangir had an incredible mix of fitness, precision, and tactical intelligence. He would grind his opponents down with relentless pressure, always retrieving one more ball, and barely ever making an unforced error.
His physical conditioning was so superior that he often looked just as fresh in the fifth game as he did in the first, which must have been unbelievably daunting for opponents who came up against him.
Of course, a player of his caliber had great rivalries, and the biggest one was with Jansher Khan (who I will also be covering in the next section).
While Jahangir dominated early in his career, Jansher emerged in the late '80s and eventually took over as the sport’s top player. Their battles shaped the future of squash, marking a shift in playing styles and approaches to fitness.
It should be noted that many people think that Jahangir and Jansher were related due to their last name, but this isn't true.
One touching part of Jahangir's squash journey was the sudden death of his older brother Torsam.
In November 1979, Torsam died of a heart attack during an Australian tournament. This understandably had a huge impact on Jahangir and almost led to him quitting the game for good.
However, he decided to pursue his career in the sport as a tribute to his brother instead.
Jahangir eventually retired in the early 1990s, but his legacy in squash is pretty much untouchable.
His dominance, professionalism, and contributions to the sport paved the way for future generations, and he remains one of the most respected figures in the squash world today.
Jansher Khan
Jansher Khan followed in Jahangir Khan’s footsteps, but he didn’t just carry on the legacy of Pakistani squash, he took it to another level.
While Jahangir dominated the early '80s, Jansher took over in the late '80s and ruled the '90s, establishing himself as one of the greatest players ever.
Jansher won 8 World Championships (more than any other male player in history) and 6 British Open titles.
But what really set him apart was his consistency, he spent an astonishing 513 weeks ranked as World No.1! His ability to stay at the top for so long is a testament to how dominant he was throughout his career.
Unlike Jahangir, whose game was built on relentless physicality and pressure, Jansher had a different approach.
He was a tactical genius, with silky-smooth movement and an incredible ability to wrong-foot opponents. His deception, anticipation, and ability to turn defence into attack made him almost impossible to play against.
One of the defining rivalries of his career was, of course, against Jahangir Khan.
While Jahangir initially held the edge, Jansher eventually overtook him, marking the transition to a new era of squash. He also had fierce battles with players like Chris Dittmar and Rodney Martin, who were among the few who could push him.
A little fun fact for you, Rodney Martin was actually the first player to beat both Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan in the same event at the 1991 World Open (which he won).
Anyway, Jansher Khan retired in the early 2000s, cementing his place as one of the all-time greats.
While Jahangir’s unbeaten streak may be the most famous stat in squash history, Jansher’s sheer dominance over a longer period makes him just as legendary, even though he isn't mentioned as often.
Michelle Martin
Still keeping to the 1990s, Michelle Martin was the face of women’s squash around this time period, dominating the decade with her aggressive style and sheer determination.
Born in Australia, she held the World No.1 ranking for 44 months (or 58 months according to some sources) and captured three World Championship titles (1993, 1994, and 1995), along with an incredible six British Open titles during her awesome career.
What made Michelle such a force was her powerful, attacking game.
She wasn’t one to sit back and rally endlessly, she took control, put her opponents under pressure, and ended points decisively. Her volleying ability and precise shot placement made her a nightmare to play against, and she had the fitness to back it all up.
During her reign, Martin had fierce rivalries with Sarah Fitz-Gerald and Susan Devoy.
Devoy, a dominant force in the late '80s and early '90s, was one of the few who could truly challenge her. Fitz-Gerald, on the other hand, became her successor as Australia’s top female player after Martin’s peak.
Despite her dominance, Martin’s career ended somewhat abruptly.
In the late '90s, tensions with Squash Australia over funding and support led to her stepping away from the sport earlier than many expected. This isn't something I know a lot about, however, a few sources touched on this as the reason for Martin's retirement.
Anyway, Michelle's impact on women’s squash is undeniable, as she paved the way for the next generation of Australian champions!
Four World No.1s and one World No.2! Jahangir Khan (top left), Mohamed ElShorbagy (middle), Jonathon Power (top right), Nicol David (bottom left), and Camille Serme (bottom right)
Image credit: Steve Cubbins
Jonathon Power
Jonathon Power brought a level of flair and creativity to squash that the sport had never quite seen before, plus, since he was born in Canada, I knew I had to feature him!
Power reached World No.1 in 1999, and he was the first North American player to do so.
However, his biggest achievement came in 2002 when he won the World Championship, cementing his place among the greats. He also reached six British Open finals, winning the title in 1999.
Power brought a new, exciting, and sometimes controversial style into the mix of professional squash that would never fail to draw a crowd.
Style wise, he was known for his unpredictable, attacking way of playing.
He could play seemingly impossible shots, deceive his opponents with incredible racquet skills, and change the pace of a rally in an instant.
His ability to play winners from anywhere on the court made him one of the most entertaining players of his generation.
But beyond the flash, he had the work ethic and fitness to back it up, proving that he was more than just trick shots and deception.
One of the defining aspects of Power’s career was his rivalry with Peter Nicol.
The two had very contrasting styles which always made for entertaining clashes. Power played with flair, while Nicol was disciplined and relentless in his precision.
Their battles throughout the late ‘90s and early 2000s were some of the most compelling in squash history, with Nicol often edging their encounters, though Power managed to get his fair share of wins too.
Despite some injuries limiting the latter part of his career, Power remained a top player well into the 2000s.
He eventually retired in 2006, but his influence on the sport lives on. His ability to entertain, combined with his ability to win, made him one of the most iconic figures in squash history.
Nicol David
Widely regarded as one of the most dominant squash players in history, Nicol David is definitely another one of my personal favourite players of all time.
Born in Malaysia in 1983, she became a global icon for the sport, holding the World No.1 ranking for a record-breaking 108 consecutive months from 2006 to 2015, a feat unmatched in squash history.
Over the course of her career, she won 8 World Championships, a record in the women’s game, and secured 5 British Open titles too (among many, many other things).
David’s game was built on incredible speed, court coverage, and mental resilience.
Despite being on the smaller side height-wise (at 1.64m tall), she was known for retrieving balls that seemed impossible to reach, turning defense into attack with ease.
Unlike some of her more aggressive rivals, David’s playstyle was about wearing opponents down, making them work for every single point until they cracked under pressure.
Her fitness levels were legendary, and she often outlasted opponents in grueling five-game matches.
During her reign, she faced strong competition from players like Natalie Grinham, Rachael Grinham, and later Laura Massaro and Raneem El Welily.
David's ability to keep calm under pressure was one of her greatest weapons, and it allowed her to dominate the game for nearly a decade.
After an incredible career, David retired in 2019, leaving behind a legacy as not just Malaysia’s greatest athlete, but one of the greatest squash players of all time.
Even post-retirement, she continues to promote squash globally, being an ambassador for the sport and inspiring a new generation of players through her foundation and advocacy efforts.
You love to see it!
Amr Shabana
As we enter the age of Egyptian domination, Amr Shabana is another one of my personal favourite players of all time and was one heck of a World No.1 too.
Born in Egypt in 1979, Shabana was one of the most gifted shot-makers the game has ever seen, this made him an absolute pleasure to watch.
He became World No.1 in 2006 and held the top spot for 33 months across multiple stints, solidifying himself as one of the key figures in modern squash.
During his career, he won four World Championships (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009) and two British Open titles (2005, 2009), making him one of the most successful players of his era.
Shabana, a left hander, was known for his effortless shot-making, deceptive racquet skills, and fluid movement. His technique was absolutely mesmerising to watch.
He played a style that was all about precision rather than raw power and his ability to take the ball early and attack from seemingly neutral positions made him one of the toughest players to read.
His backhand drop shot in particular was legendary, and he had a knack for making squash look easy.
His main rivals included David Palmer, Thierry Lincou, Gregory Gaultier, and later Ramy Ashour, each bringing a different challenge to the court.
While some of these players relied on physicality and grinding rallies, Shabana’s genius lay in his ability to change the pace, find tight angles, and expose weaknesses with minimal effort.
This was the time period in which I was coming up as a junior and, while I didn't watch a ton of professional squash at that time, these players started to get me into it.
I would also always see these players in Squash Player Magazine which really made me think of them as role models at the time.
Despite battling inconsistency early in his career, Shabana found his stride in the mid-2000s and became the first Egyptian player to truly dominate the global stage, paving the way for the Egyptian squash revolution that followed.
He retired in 2015, but his influence is still seen in the modern game, particularly in how attacking and creative Egyptian players approach their squash today.
I'm guilty of still watching old Shabana matches and clips on YouTube when I'm bored and they always get me fired up to play!
Ramy Ashour (left) playing against Amr Shabana (right)
Image credit: Steve Cubbins
Ramy Ashour
Known as “The Artist,” Ramy Ashour was one of the most electrifying players to ever grace a squash court. If you ask most squash players who their favourite player is, it'll be Ramy.
Born in Egypt in 1987, he became World No.1 in 2010 and was widely regarded as a squash genius due to his unmatched creativity, flair, and ability to hit winners from seemingly impossible positions.
He won three World Championships (2008, 2012, 2014) and numerous other major titles, but what made Ramy so special wasn’t just his accolades, it was the way he played the game.
Ashour had an unorthodox, almost magical style that blended lightning-fast reactions with astonishing racquet control.
He could attack from anywhere, improvise on the fly, and produce outrageous shots that left crowds in shock. His deception and ability to control the pace of rallies made him unpredictable, and when he was fully fit and in his flow state, he was virtually unstoppable.
His main rivals included Nick Matthew, Gregory Gaultier, and Mohamed ElShorbagy.
While players like Matthew relied on supreme fitness and structure, Ashour thrived on chaos.
He would break traditional patterns with flicks, holds, and deceptive angles that no one else dared to attempt. At his peak, he went on a 49-match unbeaten streak (2012-2013), one of the longest in squash history.
Unfortunately, injuries plagued his career, particularly persistent hamstring issues that kept him from sustained dominance.
Despite this, he always found a way to return to the top, famously winning the 2014 World Championship despite barely playing in the months leading up to it.
Ramy retired in 2019, but his influence on modern squash remains profound.
He redefined attacking squash, inspiring a new generation of players, particularly in Egypt, to embrace risk-taking and creativity. Fans still look back at his prime as one of the most exciting periods in squash history.
I know this because I'm one of those fans. Similar to Shabana, I watch old Ashour clips all the time. There's one in particular that I must have watched over 100 times now. Posted by SquashTV, the video has over 3 million views and it's titled 'Is this Ramy's best single game of squash ever?'.
If you're ever wanting some squash inspiration or to get pumped up for a match, watch this video. It perfectly sums up what Ashour was like at his best and it's complete perfection.
Nour El Sherbini
Born in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1996, El Sherbini burst onto the scene at an incredibly young age, quickly establishing herself as one of the game's brightest talents.
She made history in 2015 when she became the youngest-ever woman to be crowned World No.1 at just 19 years old, and since then, she has become a constant fixture at the top of the rankings.
El Sherbini has an impressive career that includes multiple World Championship titles (she won her first in 2015, and then added two more in 2016 and 2021), along with several British Open titles.
She’s cemented her place as one of Egypt’s squash superstars and continues to make waves as part of the new wave of Egyptian dominance in the sport.
Her game is built on a lethal combination of speed, skill, and intelligence.
El Sherbini plays with incredible finesse, control, and patience, however, she's also renowned for her calm and collected demeanor, which allows her to control the pace of the game and dictate rallies.
One of her most notable strengths is her ability to attack with powerful precision and vary the pace of the ball.
What sets her apart, though, is her mental toughness. Whether she’s two games down or facing match point, El Sherbini has an incredible ability to stay focused and never give up.
Her resilience has seen her dominate in some of the most high-pressure moments, especially in the finals of major events.
Over the years, El Sherbini has faced fierce competition from players like Raneem El Welily, Camille Serme, and Laura Massaro, but she has always managed to rise to the occasion. With age comes experience and nobody demonstrates this better than El Sherbini who has an unbelievable squash IQ.
Her consistency at the top level, paired with her ability to adapt and evolve her game, has made her one of the most respected figures in modern squash.
Her two biggest rivals right now are Hania El Hammamy (World No.3) and Nouran Gohar, who just overtook El Sherbini as World No.1 for the first time since mid-2023.
I'm not certain how many weeks in total El Sherbini has held the top spot, it must be over 80 by now at least (perhaps one of you can let me know).
Despite being relatively young at 29 years old, she has already established herself as one of the greats in the women’s game.
Her playing style and accomplishments inspire not only young Egyptian players but also squash enthusiasts around the world. El Sherbini is truly a trailblazer, and I can't wait to see how much more she will achieve in her career.
But, her immediate next step is to reclaim that top spot from Gohar!
Ali Farag
Ali Farag is one of the most impressive and well-rounded players in modern squash.
Born in Cairo, Egypt, in 1992, Farag is known for his fluid movement, incredible athleticism, technical ability, and sportsmanship.
Farag first reached World No.1 in 2018, and since then, he has become one of the most consistent and dominant players in the sport.
What sets Farag apart is his versatile and intelligent style of play.
His game is built on superb court coverage, making him one of the most physically fit players on the circuit. He has a near-perfect balance between attacking and defensive squash, seamlessly switching between the two when required.
His ability to absorb pressure, take control of rallies, and dictate play from the back of the court is something that few players can match.
Similar to Amr Shabana, he makes the sport look so easy.
Farag’s mental toughness is another key aspect of his success.
Despite the immense pressure that comes with being World No.1, he has shown time and again that he can handle the heat, especially in high-stakes matches.
Just last week he defended his World No.1 spot against Mostafa Asal at the Cotidie Texas Open final.
Similar to El Sherbini, I'm unsure how long Farag has spent at World No.1, but I believe it's well past the 200-week mark now, which is astonishing.
What is also astonishing is his win ratio. Ali is in an exclusive club and I believe El Sherbini may be in that club too, and that's the 80% club.
Out of all the matches he's played as a professional, Ali has won 80.15% of them, which is incredible.
His calm and composed nature on the court is a reflection of his hard work off it, where he is known for his rigorous preparation and deep understanding of the game.
He also possesses one of the best backhands in the game, using it to control the centre of the court and consistently frustrate his opponents.
Throughout his career, Farag has had memorable rivalries with many other fellow Egyptians the likes Tarek Momen, Karim Abdel Gawad, and Mohamed ElShorbagy (who recently became a British citizen).
These matchups have become some of the most anticipated in squash, with each player bringing a unique challenge to the table.
Farag’s ability to outlast opponents in long, physical rallies while still being able to produce moments of brilliance is a testament to his all-around game.
Ali has won pretty much everything there is to win in squash with 45 titles under his belt, but despite this, he still clearly remains hungry to keep going, which is awesome to see.
His trophy cabinet includes multiple PSA World Championships (winning his first in 2019) and British Open titles, making him one of the most successful players of his generation.
He has also been part of Egypt’s continued dominance in the sport, helping solidify Egypt as the squash capital of the world.
What I really appreciate about Farag is the way he represents the sport beyond the court. He’s known for his humility, sportsmanship, and the respect he shows to both his opponents and the game itself.
He’s a role model for the next generation of squash players, and his professionalism and dedication to his craft are inspiring to watch.
Farag’s career is still in full swing, and it’s exciting to think about what he will achieve in the coming years. But already, his impact on squash is undeniable, and he is undoubtedly one of the greatest players to ever grace the court.
This article was taken from our On The 'T' Newsletter, if you're interested in receiving more content like this, please feel free to sign up using the subscribe section located at the bottom left of this page (or underneath the article if you're on mobile), thanks!
