Former World No.1 Mohammad Al Shorbagy hopes to end a disappointing year on a high with victory at this week’s Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Series Finals at Dubai Opera from June 6 to 10.
The 26-year-old Egyptian hasn’t lifted a title since October’s US Open, seeing his 15-month reign at the top of the rankings end in April.
Despite suffering his longest title drought in three years, the current World No.3, who finished third in the Road to Dubai standings, is now eager to finish the season on a high by winning one of the sport’s most lucrative titles in a city he has a close association with.
“It would mean a lot to win the World Series Finals,” he said. “Especially after having a season that hasn’t gone the way I would like.
“My father used to work in Dubai and I used to go and visit him and I absolutely love the place. I really can’t wait to be back this year and try and play my best squash at this amazing venue.”
The top eight player’s on the men’s and women’s PSA Road to Dubai standings qualify to the World Series Finals based on points accrued at World Series tournaments over the course of a season.
This year Al Shorbagy could be competing against younger brother Marwan in the best of three format for the first time after the World No.5 secured his maiden spot among the top eight. With an equal $160,000 (Dh587,682) in prize money available in both men’s and women’s competitions, Mohammad admitted that his sibling could be his toughest opponent.
“We are very lucky to have each other — we live and share the same dreams,” he said. “We do everything together, we share rooms at tournaments and we play in training every day. Of course we have a brotherly rivalry that has helped us become the players that we are today, but it is never easy to play against each other in tournaments — trying to beat my brother is emotionally difficult and it takes so much out of both of us.
“We don’t enjoy it and it is very hard for our parents as well but we just try to do them proud and give our best against each other.”
This year’s World Series Finals is set to be one of the most competitive yet with ten current and former World No.1s set to feature across both the men’s and women’s draws, and with a best of three games format throughout the group stages, Al Shorbagy knows he’ll have to be on form.
“The best-of-three format changes everything — physically, the tactics, everything, even the warm-up,” he said. “You have to be at your best from the first point, you can’t afford to relax because if you start slow and lose the first game, you’re just a few points away from losing. I think it’s very exciting, it changes the dynamic and players can go for their shots more and not worry about the physicality so much. I’m excited to see what happens.”
Group matches take place at 3pm, 3.45pm. 4.45pm and 5.30pm in Group A and 9.30pm, 10.15pm, 11.15pm and midnight in Group B between June 6-8 with the semis and finals to be held from 10pm on June 9 and 10 respectively.
Families can enter 3pm sessions free from June 6-8 by emailing info@squashindubai.ae. All other tickets can be purchased at https://dubaiopera.etixdubai.com/shows/show.aspx?sh=PSAUMB.
