In squash - The Podcast

We welcome back one of the biggest movers on the PSA Tour this season, Yahya Elnawasany. After joining us earlier in the season during our Nash Cup series, Yahya returns following a breakthrough second half of the year that has seen him climb to World No. 16 and make a sensational run to the semi-finals of the British Open.

We dive into Yahya’s incredible British Open campaign, where he battled through a brutal draw featuring top players including Dimitri Steinmann, Mohamed ElShorbagy, Karim Abdel Gawad on his way to the final four. Yahya also shares the story of having his equipment stolen during competition, battling through adversity, and the mental side of navigating tough five-game matches under pressure.

We also look back at the early part of the season, where results weren’t quite clicking, including his appearance at the Nash Cup, and explore the turning points that helped shift his momentum.

A big part of that second-half surge came through a new coaching partnership with former world-class player Wael El Hindi, and we discuss how that collaboration helped elevate his game to another level.

A fantastic conversation with one of the rising stars on tour, reflecting on resilience, growth, and what comes next as he pushes deeper into the world’s elite.

🎧 Tune in now for Episode 404 of In Squash.

Sponsored by Squashify and Open Squash — growing the game and making squash more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Matt Bishop returns to the In Squash Podcast for a conversation that dives deep into the Atlantic Canada squash scene—past, present, and where the game is heading. A long-time Nova Scotia provincial champion, multi-time Atlantic Open winner, and Canadian age-group national champion, Matt shares reflections on longevity, competition, and what continues to drive his success at the highest level. [bishop intro | Word]

We also explore the people and moments that have shaped squash in the region, from coaching influences to the unique competitive culture that defined an era.

This episode also includes a tribute to Dave Feder, one of Atlantic Canada’s all-time greats. Dave was not only a remarkable player, but a respected teammate, mentor, and friend whose dedication, discipline, and generosity left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the broader squash community

Ep. 402 – Johnny Williams on Orfi, Asal, the World Championships & the Future of Squash

Squash TV’s very own Johnny Williams returns to the pod as we break down the tremendous 2026 World Championship.

We dive deep into Amina Orfi’s historic run to becoming the youngest ever World Champion, her maturity under pressure, tactical discipline, and whether we’re witnessing the arrival of “Gohar 2.0.” We also unpack the incredible final against Nour El Sherbini and what lies ahead in Sherbini’s pursuit of World Title number nine.

On the men’s side, we analyze Mostafa Asal’s dominant season and second consecutive World Championship, including his fascinating tactical battle against Diego Elias in the final.

We also discuss:

• Diego Elias and how he handles adversity at the highest level

• Youssef Ibrahim’s rise as one of the sport’s true box-office players

• Rob Owen’s comments on officiating and El Gouna

• The vacuum left by Lee Drew’s departure and the continued lack of a successor announcement months later

• A preview of the British Open, which gets underway tomorrow

• Early thoughts on the World Tour Finals

A wide-ranging, honest, and passionate conversation on the current state of the professional game with one of squash broadcasting’s best voices.

Ep. 401 — Nathan Clarke Recaps a Historic World Championship

Now that the dust has settled, Nathan Clarke of Squash Player Magazine joins the podcast to break down one of the most entertaining and historic World Championships in recent memory.

We discuss Amina Orfi becoming the youngest ever women’s world champion, the scrutiny and officiating surrounding her run, and what her victory means for the future of the game. We also dive into Mostafa Asal’s dominant season and second consecutive world title, along with standout performances, controversies, injuries, and the biggest talking points from Giza.

Plus: Sherbini’s future, Siva’s rise, Youssef Ibrahim’s electric squash, Diego Elias’ mental battle, and even a little SquashTV commentary drama.

Jonathan Power’s attacking style and on-court presence were unlike anything squash had seen before; and it served to lay the groundwork for the attacking style of play that we see from the best in the game today. JP returns to the podcast for this milestone 400th episode, bringing that same insightful squash mind to the mic as well. JP has been coaching Mohammed Zakaria, and we talk about how Zakaria’s game has reached another level this season. We also take a deep dive into Diego Elias’ current form and recent win at El Gouna International, including his thoughts on the final which included both Diego and Zakaria, and of course the controversial fifth-game semifinal against Mostafa Asal. JP has provides a different perspective on the current trajectory of officiating in general. Episode 400 is a special one for the podcast, and JP delivers an episode worthy of the milestone.

Luke Butterworth jumps back on the pod and does not disappoint. Luke Butterworth returns to the pod—and once again delivers.

We dive into Greenwich Academy’s incredible run of 10 consecutive high school girls’ squash titles, achieved during Luke’s tenure as Director of Squash. He shares insights into building a sustained culture of excellence and what it takes to stay on top year after year.

Luke is also working closely with several top U.S. pros, including Nick Spirizzi and Caroline Fouts, both of whom are showing strong recent form. We discuss their progress and what’s driving their performances.

On top of that, Luke recently stepped into a new role, making his managerial debut with the NSL’s Greenwich Panthers. We unpack that experience, what he learned from it, and whether this debut was simply a one-off or not.

To wrap things up, Luke lays out a few non-negotiables for anyone serious about elevating their squash game.

Former World Champion, world number two, and one of the very best coaches in the game today—Rodney Martin jumps back onto the pod for another insightful chat.

We dive into his work with Gina Kennedy, who’s been producing some outstanding results this season, and explore what changes have elevated her game. We also get into the mindset of elite players, the intensity and edge at the top level, and whether that competitive fire is what separates the very best.

We also touch on some of the game’s recent talking points, including the El Gouna controversy, and finish with a masterclass segment where Rod shares key non-negotiables for players looking to improve.

World No. 13 Marina Stefanoni makes her In Squash debut, and it was an impressive one at that. One of four American women now ranked inside the PSA top 20, Marina has had a breakout season, climbing from just inside the top 30 to just outside the top 10, and picking up impressive wins and pushing some of the very best players in the world along the way.

We dive into her rapid rise this season, the growing strength of women’s squash in the United States, and how close she feels to consistently breaking into the very top group on tour. Marina also shares insights into her training approach, the mindset required to handle setbacks at the elite level, and what it takes to compete week in and week out against players like Nour El Sherbini, Amina Orfi, and Satomi Watanabe.

We also talk about how exciting the NSL has been for her playing for the SoNo Sharks, and how much she's enjoyed playing under the unique NSL match play format.

A great listen with one of the brightest rising stars in the women’s game.

Former World #2 Peter Marshall returns to the podcast and it was well worth the wait.

We begin by revisiting Peter’s career, including the origins of his iconic two-handed technique, his two World Open finals against Jansher Khan, and what it was like competing against both Jansher and the legendary Jahangir Khan.

The conversation then turns to the crux of the episode - the most recent controversies surrounding World #1 Mostafa Asal. We break down the controversy from El Gouna, including the highly disputed stroke and conduct stroke at 8–7 in the fifth against Diego Elias—a decision that proved decisive in the outcome of the match . We also get into his thoughts on the recent Observer article which he feels was a disservice to Asal and to the game as a whole.

It’s a candid discussion from an absolute legend of the game.

In this episode, I’m joined by Rahul Vashishtha, currently at Bates College and soon to take on the Assistant Coach role at Louisville Collegiate School.

Rahul has taken a truly global path through the game—starting in India, moving into national-level coaching in Singapore, and now building his career in the United States. We dive into that journey, but more importantly, we focus on the realities behind it.

This episode is particularly valuable for young and aspiring coaches looking to break into the North American system. We unpack the key challenges that often don’t get talked about enough—especially when it comes to navigating visas, securing opportunities, and adapting to new coaching environments and cultures.

We also explore:

The differences in coaching culture across India, Singapore, and the US

What the US college system looks like from the inside

Practical advice on finding coaching opportunities abroad

Strategies that helped Rahul successfully transition between countries

What to expect when it comes to lifestyle, work environment, and career progression

If you’re an aspiring coach with ambitions to work internationally—or simply curious about what it really takes to build a coaching career across borders—this is one you won’t want to miss.