I recently read two new articles on the PSA Squash Tour website on things to look out for this season and they've really got me excited!
I thought I'd cover a similar topic for this week's newsletter by going through some of the things that I'm particularly looking forward to in the world of professional squash.
With some of the biggest names in the game, such as Ali Farag, Sarah-Jane Perry, and Tarek Momen, retiring last season, we could be looking at some big changes and opportunities this coming season.
PSA World events begin in September and I think now is the perfect time to start hyping it up!
Let's dive in ...
Battles For World No.1
The 2025/26 PSA Squash Tour is shaping up to deliver fascinating races for the sport’s top ranking in the men’s and women’s games, and both could swing dramatically over the coming months.
On the men’s side, Mostafa Asal starts the season at World No.1, but Diego Elias has made a habit of getting the better of him lately.
The Peruvian Puma has won six of their last seven meetings (I believe), including some major finals, and now has a clear opportunity to turn that head-to-head dominance into a rankings takeover.
With Ali Farag retired, the door is also open for players like Joel Makin, coming off his best season yet, and Paul Coll, whose consistency and experience make him a constant threat.
The women’s race is just as competitive and arguably even harder to predict.
Nouran Gohar ended last season with a comfortable points lead, but Nour El Sherbini and Hania El Hammamy have both proven they can beat her on the biggest stages.
Sherbini’s ability to rise to the occasion and Hammamy’s relentless pace mean Gohar can’t afford a slow start to the year, especially with the first two events offering huge ranking points.
These three Egyptian's have dominated the top 3 ranking spots for so long; however, Hania has never quite reached the top spot, so it would be great to see her get there.
What's even more exciting about this season in particular is that we have the likes of Amina Orfi and Olivia Weaver now beginning to push those three more and more consistently.
I'll cover those two players later in the newsletter; however, we could likely see a few different World No.1s this season, but it's very hard to predict who they might be.
A New Era Without Ali Farag
For the first time in years, the PSA men’s game will begin a season without Ali Farag in the draw.
Although I'm gutted at Ali's retirement, he did so at the very top of his game, and it was the right time for him.
The four-time World Champion’s retirement leaves not just a gap at the very top, but a possible shift in the style dynamics of the tour itself.
Farag’s game was defined by precision, patience, and tactical mastery, a measured approach that often forced opponents to play his way. Not to mention the fact that he could retrieve any shot with seemingly minimal effort.
Now, the two players to beat are Mostafa Asal and Diego Elias, and they couldn’t be more different in style.
Asal thrives on raw physicality, explosive movement, and relentless pressure, often turning matches into high-paced battles where opponents have little room to breathe.
Elias, on the other hand, is all about fluidity, deception, and effortless pace control.
He can slow rallies down or inject speed in an instant, forcing opponents into constant uncertainty.
That's one similarity Diego has with Ali: the fact that he makes the game look effortless. He always looks like he's in control.
Without Farag’s presence to challenge both styles, the men’s game could tilt toward more extreme contrasts.
For example, faster, more aggressive matches when Asal is in charge, and more controlled, 'cat-and-mouse' encounters when Elias dictates play.
That variety will keep things unpredictable, but it also raises the question of which style will dominate in the absence of Farag’s balanced, all-court blueprint.
With that said, this assumes that lower-ranked players will always be forced to match the style of Elias or Asal when playing them, but if the likes of Makin and Coll can dictate their brand of physical, relentless rallying, this could also impact the style of men's squash across the board.
Farag’s departure doesn’t just change the rankings, there's a chance that it might even redefine the rhythm and feel of the game.
But that's just my opinion!
Egypt’s Next Wave
It feels like every time you look at the PSA draws, there’s another teenage Egyptian breaking through, and this season will be no different.
Players like Mohamad Zakaria and Amina Orfi have already shown they’re not just prospects, they’re genuine threats right now.
Zakaria, who is still in his teens, has already taken out several top-20 opponents.
Orfi, meanwhile, has climbed into the world’s top five before even hitting 19, with a fearless, attacking style that unsettles even the most experienced players.
The production line doesn’t stop there.
Fayrouz Aboelkheir continues to develop her all-court game, and Anahat Singh (who is originally from India, but trains extensively in Egypt) has the same aggressive, fearless mindset that has become indicative of the country’s squash culture.
The sheer depth of talent means Egyptian players are likely to continue dominating the latter stages of many events.
However, what really interests me is when they will make that major leap from 'dangerous opponent' to 'consistent title contender'.
Time will tell!
With that said, the next wave certainly isn't going unchallenged.
England’s Jonah Bryant has been one of the most exciting young non-Egyptian players to watch, climbing rapidly into the top 30 and proving he can compete with, and beat, the very best on his day.
And, although slightly older than the emerging players, the likes of Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam and England's Jasmine Hutton will also be looking to spoil the Egyptian party, and if they find consistency, they could disrupt the dominance I've been expecting.
ElShorbagy’s Redemption Road
England's Mohamed ElShorbagy is one of my favourite players of all time.
He has been a name at the very top of the game for over a decade with his explosively powerful style, but unfortunately, last season was far from 'The Beast's' best.
Injuries, inconsistent form, and some surprising early exits meant that the former World No.1 slipped slightly from the relentless standards he’s set throughout his career.
For a player who thrives on big stages and thrives even more on proving doubters wrong, that'll certainly sting.
However, every time Mo steps on court, you can tell that he's hungry for the win, and I get the feeling he’s coming into this season with a point to prove.
In interviews and post-match speeches, ElShorbagy has often spoken about the fresh motivation he’s found in recent years. He'll need to channel all of that inner strength if he’s going to reinsert himself into the title conversation.
The physicality is still there, the tactical intelligence hasn’t gone anywhere, and his ability to raise his level in the biggest matches remains one of the best in the sport in my opinion.
The challenge will be stringing together those performances consistently across the long PSA calendar, which is certainly a big ask for the 34-year-old.
If he can stay injury-free and get a few early wins under his belt, there’s no reason ElShorbagy can’t return to the business end of the rankings.
I, for one, would absolutely love to see it!
This season could be his chance to remind everyone that he’s not done yet.
Photo credit: Steve Cubbins
The Return Of The Alexandra Palace (“Ally Pally”) Venue for the London Squash Classic
One of the most thrilling announcements for this season is the return of the London Squash Classic to the iconic Alexandra Palace, affectionately known in my home country of England as “Ally Pally.”
Often known for hosting major darts events, this venue also has a special place in squash history, and its unique atmosphere always adds an extra layer of excitement to the event.
For those who haven’t been lucky enough to experience it in person, Ally Pally’s blend of historic architecture and modern glass courts creates a dramatic setting that feels electric from the moment the players step on court.
The Classic at Ally Pally has often been a stage for many unexpected upsets and memorable matches in the past, and I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing which players rise to the occasion this year.
With the possible changes to the overall dynamic of professional squash I've mentioned previously, it feels like the perfect place for new rivalries and established big names to assert their dominance in front of a passionate London crowd.
Plus, after a few years away due to scheduling and venue changes, it’s great to see Ally Pally back on the calendar, a reminder of how venues like this help squash reach wider audiences and grow the sport’s profile beyond the usual circuits.
Watching For Olivia Weaver's Breakthrough
Now, I touched on this earlier, but, I thought it deserved its own section.
One of the most exciting storylines last season has to have been watching the rise of Olivia Weaver. Toward the end of the season, she was playing incredibly good squash.
Her game is evolving fast, showing the kind of consistency, fearless aggression, and tactical sharpness that was definitely starting to push the big three.
Olivia's focus and drive during the longest battles suggests she could be ready to finally knock El Hammamy, ElSherbini, or Gohar out of that top three.
If that happened, it would be major news and I think that Weaver is the right person for the job this coming season.
What’s impressive is her ability to mix power and patience with clever shot selection, often forcing opponents into uncomfortable positions and taking control of rallies with confidence.
It’s refreshing and inspiring to see a player like Olivia pushing that status quo.
This season could very well be the one where she breaks through into the latter stages of the biggest events, maybe even landing her first major title.
I’ll definitely be keeping a close eye on her matches, especially as she gains more experience and builds the consistency needed to challenge the very best.
I'd recommend doing the same if you're a fan of professional squash!
Watching For Joel Makin's Breakthrough
Joel Makin is another player I’m really excited to follow this season.
He’s already proven himself as a serious force on the men’s tour, with some standout performances that have shown he can beat the very best.
His overall performance last season was a real breakthrough for 'The Golden Tiger' in my opinion, and, I'm hoping that this has set him up for another jump this season.
He's now solidified his spot in the top 5 and currently sits at his highest ranking of World No.4.
The top 3 is next and he's almost certainly got what it takes to get there, I'd put money on it!
Joel’s game is a blend of raw power and tactical intelligence, and he’s shown he can grind out tough matches with relentless determination.
With Ali Farag retired and the men’s top rankings wide open, Joel has a genuine opportunity to stake his claim as a regular title contender.
His confidence is growing, and after what felt like a major leap last season, I expect him to build on that momentum and start turning deep runs into trophies.
Of course, if you asked him that, I think that he'd have a different answer. In interviews and post match speeches, Joel is brutally honest, which is always intriguing to hear.
His training is focused on relentlessly practicing hitting his targets as consistently as possible and making tiny incremental improvements over and over again.
It's certainly worked for him so far.
Consistency will be the biggest challenge, the PSA calendar is long and grueling, and maintaining peak form across so many events isn’t easy.
If Joel can keep his physical and mental game as sharp as it has been, this season could be the one where he really cements himself in the top 3, and maybe even push further.
Photo credit: Steve Cubbins
The Olympic Horizon
Although not directly related to the PSA Squash Tour, the buzz around squash's inclusion in the LA28 Olympics will still have an impact.
The Games are still three years away, however, the announcement of squash's inclusion is already adding a new layer of motivation and anticipation for players and fans alike.
Like many squash players and fans, I'm hopeful that the heightened global spotlight is will raise the profile of the sport and its stars.
With that in mind, players on the PSA Tour now have the additional incentive to push their limits and build momentum ahead of the Olympic cycle.
National federations in squash powerhouses like England, Scotland, and Wales are already stepping up support to help their players perform at their best on this historic stage.
Hesham Is Back!
One of the most anticipated aspects of the new season for me personally is the return of Egypt’s Mazen Hesham.
The 31-year-old, AKA ‘The Black Falcon’, has been sidelined for several months following a string of injuries, including ACL sprains, lat strains, and issues with his knee and hip.
Since last December’s Hong Kong Open quarter-final against Ali Farag, Hesham has been absent from PSA competition, causing his ranking to slip from World No.5 to No.19.
Hesham is easily one of the most exciting players in the world. His unorthodox swing-style and ridiculous shot-making abilities make him an absolute handful for any opponent he faces.
That's why he's one of my favourite players to watch of all time.
However, he has had terrible luck when it comes to injuries throughout his career.
Hesham’s comeback at the season-opening London Squash Classic is highly anticipated.
Known for his dazzling shot-making, tricky deceptive backhand, and flair on court, he remains capable of toppling any player when at his best.
Over the past two seasons, he’s beaten each of the current top four men, Mostafa Asal, Diego Elias, Paul Coll, and Joel Makin, proving that when fit, he’s a genuine threat.
His return also adds intrigue to early rounds of major events.
As an unseeded player, Hesham could create some huge upsets, injecting unpredictability into the draws.
I can't wait to see what the season brings!
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