Amina Orfi: 2022 Year In Review

As we hit the New Year, we have spoken to some of the Tour’s stars of 2022. 15-year-old Egyptian Amina Orfi is our focus in today’s piece.

Orfi only came on to the Tour in August, but has already amassed two Challenger Tour titles, a Platinum level appearance, and claimed the title of World Junior Champion.

She became World Junior Champion at just 15 years of age in the summer, before making her Tour debut as a wildcard at the CIB Egyptian Open.

Orfi then won her first two Challenger Tour events, claiming victory at the 4th HCL SRFI Indian Tour – Jodhpur Leg in India, before winning the Sutton Coldfield International in her last appearance of 2022.

Amina Orfi

World Ranking – August 2022: World No.438
World Ranking – January 2023: World No.90 (career-high)
Titles Won: 2
– 4th HCL SRFI Indian Tour – Jodhpur Leg (Challenger 10 level)
– Sutton Coldfield International (5)
World Junior Champion

See what Orfi had to say about her standout start on Tour here…

“It was honestly an amazing week. I mean, I had the goal of winning this tournament [the World Junior Championships], but obviously goals are different than when you go into the tournament.

“It was definitely tougher than what I’ve been playing for the past two years because they’re all under 19, like almost going on to their PSA careers. So it was definitely a challenge having also been 2-0 in two matches. So I feel it was like a magical week for me.

“I mean, it didn’t feel special beating them [Fayrouz Aboelkheir, Salma Eltayeb and Malak Khafagy because I’ve beaten them before in like here in national tournaments and the tryouts and stuff, or like I’ve played with them.

“But the tournament itself was special. It was definitely an advantage playing with Egyptians because we know their style of play. So that’s what was special about it. But definitely the tournament itself was like really special. The crowd was like, amazing. It’s different than anything I’ve played so far.

On joining some incredible names as a Women’s World Junior Champion…

“It feels great because I know usually whoever wins this tournament has the potential of being at the top. So, I then tried to like pressure myself with this when I’m in the tournament.

“But afterwards it was over I was like, I have a chance to like potentially become World No.1. So that’s like a huge motivation for me for sure.

On her Tour debut, at the CIB Egyptian Open…

“It was in Cairo. So obviously, like I’m used to the club and stuff, but it felt different playing on the PSA Tour.

“And obviously the squash itself is very different than what I’ve played before. It was way different than the Worlds [Juniors]. I didn’t have much expectations when I just like played I was like, I just want to put on like a good match. And I was 2-1 up and then I had a match ball but I couldn’t believe it myself, so I lost.

“[It] definitely did prove to myself that I can become in like the top 30 in a short span. And later on, she was like, she had many good results. Like she beat Hania and she beat some top ten players. So that definitely gave me the the motivation I needed.

On winning her first Challenger Tour event…

“It felt really amazing to take like my first Challenger title while playing my first Challenger event. So like, I didn’t have to wait long for that.

“It was really nice there [Jodhpur, India]. The court was amazing. It was like held in a palace, which made it really special. And the crowd, obviously, they made me feel as if it was like a Platinum tournament, even though it wasn’t.

“They were, like, cheering and they came so I could sign like shirts and balls. Yeah, it was really nice. And just obviously, you know, that venue was something very different probably for the Challenger Tour. You know, a lot of tournaments are held in squash clubs and things. It was obviously different because most of the glass courts I played in were indoors, at the Worlds.

“Even though it was really different adapting to like obviously the conditions, the wind was blowing there was many bugs flying around but I feel it didn’t change anything because in my mind there’s just like, I want to win this, I need to win this. And I had like a goal which was to break into the top hundred. So that really helped me into like adapting to the conditions.

On breaking into the world’s top 100 for the first time…

“I feel really happy, especially since I’ve done it in just like two tournaments. So it’s definitely one of my smaller goals. But to be honest, my goal for this year is to play the World Championships and to make it to the top 50. So that’s my goal.

“By the end of this year, obviously, I’m not going to be playing any tournaments in January because I have the British Junior Open. I’m still a junior, so I have to play this tournament. 

“But later on I’m going to be putting like my name in several other tournaments. So hopefully I can break into the top 50 by the end of the season.

On her long-term goals…

“I definitely want to reach World No.1, by the time I’m 18. So thinking about two years, two and a half years. I think I’m capable of doing that because I feel I’ve done so well in the juniors.

“I’ve proved myself and how far I’m from the rest of the juniors. I’ve also proved myself on the PSA Tour in a matter of months, so I think I’m capable of doing that if I just keep working hard and focusing.”

Check out the full interview with Amina on our YouTube channel here ⬇️