Marwan ElShorbagy Builds his Dream Squash Player

England’s Marwan ElShorbagy is one of the most tactically astute players on the PSA Tour and has 13 titles to his name.

But what attributes would Marwan like to take from other players? We caught up him to find out what his dream squash player looks like.

Movement – Greg Gaultier

Marwan: “I would love to take Greg Gaultier’s movement because it’s very explosive and I really enjoy the way he’s very explosive from the ‘T’ and how he takes one step to the ball and he’s very strong and very effective.”

Backhand volley – Ramy Ashour

Marwan: “I would take Ramy Ashour’s backhand, his falling backhand, because you never know where the ball is going.

“He hits it with his wrists and it is so good to experience it with him on court. It’s not a good experience [to play against] because you feel the ball could go anywhere, but watching him is such an amazing shot for sure.”

Forehand – Amr Shabana

Marwan: “I will take [Amr] Shabana’s forehand. It’s the same thing you know, he has so many options with the same technique. He makes it look so easy, but so simple and so effective.”

Mentality – Mohamed ElShorbagy & Nick Matthew

Marwan: “I would take my brother [Mohamed ElShorbagy] and Nick Matthew for the mental side of the game.

“You know, both of them are so strong and understand the game. I’m so lucky to have my brother and to be able to talk to him about the game and so lucky to have worked with Nick for some time.

“I’ve spoken to both of them about the game and about their tactics and how they approach their matches. I have always felt that they are both so similar but so different.

“The way they look at the game is always so different.”

Physicality – Paul Coll

Marwan: “I will take Paul Coll’s physicality for the obvious reasons!”

One shot I would steal – Fares Dessoucky

Marwan: “Dessouky’s front forehand, he always has the powerful cross-court option and sometimes he plays a drop shot as well. He’s also very explosive as well going to that corner, and sometimes he’s got so many options and he’s not readable from that corner.”

Accuracy – James Willstrop

Marwan: “I would take James Willstrop’s accuracy for sure.”

Forehand + Backhand – Marwan ElShorbagy

Marwan: “I would keep my forehand as well as my backhand.”

Speed to the front – Mostafa Asal

Marwan: “I would pick Asal for his speed to the front, that big lunge, and the way he comes out of it as well is very effective and very good.

“I didn’t like it [playing against it], I don’t know how he does it.”