In squash - The Podcast

I’m joined by James Zug—a true pillar in the squash media space and someone who, in many ways, helped inspire this very podcast through his early work with Outside the Glass. We’ve been meaning to make this one happen for a few years now, and with the release of the second edition of Squash: A History of the Game, the timing couldn’t have been better.

This is a deep dive into the roots of the game—where it came from, how it evolved, and the characters who shaped it along the way. From the early days of squash in North America to the influence of legends like Hashim Khan, we get into the stories that don’t always get told but absolutely should be.

We also explore:

The origins of squash and how it spread globally

The divide between hardball and softball—and why it mattered

And some of the great rivalries, including Jahangir Khan vs Mark Talbott

Great chat with James Zug!!

One of the PSA's most exciting young talents, Matias Knudsen, makes his In Squash Pod debut on Ep. 393. We take a deep dive into his breakout season, what it means to earn direct entry into the World Championships, and how close he is to breaking into the sport’s biggest events. Matias also reflects on his college days at Drexel under the legendary “General” John White, and why the U.S. college pathway was the right move for his development.

Of course, we couldn’t skip over that trick shot—Matias walks us through one of the most creative points you’ll see on tour, and shares a few more moments where instinct and imagination took over.

We also explore the influence of Colombian legend Miguel Rodriguez on his game, and what it’s like preparing to face him on one of squash’s biggest stages.

Great chat!!

PSA Gold and Platinum events are back—and with them, one of the standout tournaments on the calendar: the Optasia Championship, and with that we’re joined by Bassim Haidar—Founder of Optasia and the driving force behind the event.

Bassim shares his personal squash journey, from how he first got into the sport to becoming one of its most impactful supporters. We dive into his entrepreneurial story—launching companies in his early 20s and building Optasia into what it is today—before exploring what inspired him to invest in squash and help elevate it on the global stage.

We also get a behind-the-scenes look at his long-standing support of the Mohamed ElShorbagy and Marwan ElShorbagy, his relationship with the Professional Squash Association, and how he’s seen the professional game evolve over the years.

With squash set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics, Bassim shares his thoughts on what the sport needs to do to capitalize on this historic moment.

We also discuss:

His partnership with Danny Lee and what makes the Optasia event tick

The current and next generation of top players

What he’d change about the global squash landscape

And, of course, what he’s most excited about for this year’s Optasia Championship

A brilliant conversation with one of the key figures helping push squash forward.

In this episode, I’m joined by Cross Court Analytics data analyst Tom Glover, who takes us behind the scenes of how elite players and coaches are using performance data to gain a competitive edge.

We explore how Cross Court Analytics works with top professionals, what kind of insights players are actually looking for, and how those same tools can benefit club and amateur players. From identifying patterns in match play to breaking down decision-making under pressure, this is a fascinating look at squash through a completely different lens.

Tom also dives into some recent and compelling case studies, including:

What the numbers reveal about fast vs slow starters—featuring players like Mohamed ElShorbagy, Karim Abdel Gawad, and Ali Farag

A data breakdown of the thrilling Zakaria vs Makin semi-final

Insights into Marina Stefanoni’s standout performances in Australia

What’s driving Paul Coll’s recent success

And a remarkable deep dive into 300,000 drop shots, where Nour El Sherbini emerges as the most efficient, alongside Youssef Ibrahim and Joelle King

Hadrian Stiff returns to the podcast for another thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation. Since we last spoke in a two-part episode on the mental and technical sides of the game, Hadrian has continued his work in New York while supporting elite players and juniors around the world.

In this episode, we discuss his upcoming transition back to the UK and reflect on his time coaching at the Heights Casino in New York. Hadrian also shares insights from working within the US squash system during an important period leading into squash’s Olympic debut at the LA 2028 Summer Olympics in.

We also talk about the Olympic qualification journey ahead for Iain Yow, and what this historic moment means for players and coaches involved in the process.

The conversation then shifts back to a topic Hadrian is especially passionate about: the mental side of performance. We explore how elite junior players deal with pressure, why learning to sit with disappointment is a crucial skill, and the role breathing techniques can play in helping athletes perform under stress.

Greg Marche makes a long awaited return after his remarkable run to the semi-finals of the Windy City Open, making him the second-oldest player ever to reach a major semi-final on the PSA Tour.

Greg reflects on the tournament in Chicago, how his training and recovery routines have evolved as he’s gotten older, and the adjustments required to stay competitive at the top level of professional squash. We also discuss the upcoming LA 2028 Olympics, his views on the qualification process, and what the opportunity means to him going forward.

We also talk golf, a mutual passion of ours, and the positive impact golf has had on Greg's game and how it helped him during a difficult period in his PSA career. Great chat!!!

Zena Wooldridge, President of the World Squash Federation, returns exactly 100 episodes after her last appearance — when we were celebrating squash’s successful bid for LA 2028. This time, we dive into where things stand now.

We unpack preparations for LA 28, including the 16-player qualification pathway and the various scenarios that could shape the Olympic field. We discuss the Comcast venue, how the professional game is aligning with Olympic demands, and what changes fans might see as squash prepares for a global audience.

We also look ahead to Brisbane 2032, with a crucial decision looming on squash’s continued Olympic inclusion.

An essential update on squash’s Olympic journey — where we are, and what comes next. #weareopensquash #LA 28 #squashify #WorldSquashFederation

Squash Player Magazine's one and only Mike Dale is back on the pod for episode 387 — a long-overdue catch-up.

The last time Mike joined us was a couple of years ago, recorded during his daughter’s swim practice. This time, we reconnect in the aftermath of a house move and turn our attention to something far bigger: squash’s road to the LA 2028 Olympic Games.

With just 16 spots available in both men's and women's events, Mike breaks down the proposed Olympic qualification pathway, what it means for players, nations, rankings, and the competitive realities that come with such a limited field. We talk structure, timelines, and the inevitable questions and challenges that sit beneath the headline announcements.

As always with Mike, it’s informed, clear, and grounded in the realities of the professional game — cutting through the noise and focusing on what actually matters.

#squashplayermagazine #weareopensquash #squashify

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.