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    elitesquash interview with Mohamed el Shorbagy

    What age did you begin playing squash? 

    Started at 8 years of age. 

    Who were your squash heroes growing up and also now? 

    It has been always Shabana... it is just the way he handles himself on and off court as been always the best and I just admire him the most. 

    Who do you think is the greatest player of all time? 

    It’s difficult to say as every period had its great player.. like there was the Jahangir period and after that came Jansher and now it's Shabana. 

    You are based in Bristol and study at UWE uni. How do you find it trying to study and play at the same time? 

    It’s of course difficult but I just try to balance it... there are times where I have to just concentrate on squash during the season and there are times where I have to not come near my squash racket so I can concentrate on my exams during the exams period. Also UWE have been great to me in the way they understand the sports and that for sure made my life much easier here. 

    And how do you like Bristol? 

    Bristol is actually one of my favorite places.. like normally I do like going back to Egypt but actually whenever I am in Egypt I just can’t wait till I come back to Bristol again.. Actually my dream place for a tournament is to just have a glass court in CABOT CIRCUS.. I hope before I finish my career one day that this wish come true. 

    What advice would you give to any players who are trying to improve their squash? Juniors and seniors. 

    I would say to keep working hard and to never lose faith... And that every time you go on court you will always have a chance to win no matter how good your opponent is, so always play and have the belief that you can beat anyone. 

    Your brother Marwan just won the world and British junior opens in the last 12 months. It appears he will also be heading for the top ten like you. When you play him in a big event how do you approach the match mentally? It must be tough to stay focused? 

    It’s going to be really tough mentally as me and him are not only brothers but we are best friends too!! We do absolutely everything together and to have the feeling that he is the one who I will try to beat one day to go to next round would be such a weird feeling... We do respect each other a lot and I hope one day me and him will be world number 1 and 2 in the ranking. This is our dream. Our first dream was to try to be the best ever brothers in history to win the world juniors and British juniors trophy which happened. Let’s see if we can make the next dream come true! 

    Lastly, you are working with Hadrian Stiff from elitesquash how are you finding this partnership? 

    I am really enjoying working with Hadrian... He is a very clever coach and can read the game very well.. I have been improving a lot with him and he made me understand new things about the game and I am happy that. I still have more years in Bristol working with him.