Play to win

Mohamed El Shorbagy's rise in world rankings began in 2006. His goal of making it to the top spot remains a priority.

March 16, 2011 05:16 pm | Updated 05:16 pm IST

Mohamed El Shorbagy. Photo: V. Ganesan.

Mohamed El Shorbagy. Photo: V. Ganesan.

India holds a special place for Mohamed El Shorbagy, World No.9 in squash. “I have come here four times. I simply love the country, its food, the people. I have good friends in Saurav Ghosal and Dipika Pallikal. I only have good memories,” said the 20-year-old Egyptian in a chat during the recent World Cup in Chennai.

Fond memories

Defending his World junior title in 2009 in Chennai was a major milestone. “There was lot of pressure on me. All the matches except the final were tough. I couldn't sleep before the final.

I am happy that the victory came in Chennai,” he said. Shorbagy has had a meteoric rise in world rankings since joining the Professional Squash Association in 2006 as a 15-year-old. His uncle Salah introduced him to the sport as he used to take the kid to Smouha Club in Alexandria. He won the National under-11 title as a 10-year-old. “That was when my countryman Karim Darwish won the World junior title. I was inspired to do better,” said the 20-year-old, currently coached by Jonah Barrington in the U.K.

Combining a squash career with that of a Business Enterprise student at Bristol (U.K.), Shorbagy said is no child's play, but he is learning to handle them. “Managing both is difficult. But I am learning to enjoy both,” he said.

Shorbagy rounded off a sensational junior career in January last year with his third successive British Junior Open title; only the second player in the event's long history to achieve it. The transition from junior to senior is not easy, but for Shorbagy it's been smooth so far. In October 2008, after qualifying to make his first ever appearance in the World Open in England, the then 17-year-old beat experienced Frenchman Renan Lavigne and former world champion Thierry Lincou before losing in the quarterfinals. “Beating Lincou was the best win of my career, for sure. I was playing to win each point; I didn't concentrate on the score at all. In fact the only time I heard the score was when I was 10-9 in the fourth. I had to make it tough for him. I had no pressure on me; nobody expected me to win. I had to play more than my best to win and I did.”

Role model

Four-time World Open champion Amr Shabana is Shorbagy's favourite squash player. “I like everything about him. The way he carries himself on and off the court is fabulous. He's taken the sport to a different level,” he said. He also loves tennis icon Roger Federer. “Everytime he loses, I get angry,” he said.

The political crisis in Egypt, he said, was good for the country. “There is a lot of corruption. What has happened is a positive development. Elections are due in September. I hope something good comes out,” he said.

After Egypt won the World Cup thrashing England 2-0 in the final, Shorbagy was thrilled. He said the title is dedicated to the people of Egypt. Getting to the No.1 spot is his goal. “It might take a couple of months or a year. But I am determined to reach the top,” he said.

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