Merci Raneem, says Nouran….
CIB Nouran Gohar has today (July 1) become the new women’s World No.1 for the first time following the retirement of previous incumbent Raneem El Welily. The Enigman had topped the rankings for 19 months, while Gohar had sat at World No.2 for the previous five months following wins at the U.S. Open and Carol Weymuller Open earlier this season.
However, El Welily’s retirement means that the 22-year-old will now step onto court following the suspension of the PSA World Tour as the sport’s leading female player.
“It feels amazing to reach World No.1, I’ve been dreaming about this moment since I was a kid and since I first held a squash racket in my hand,” said Gohar.
“Reaching this point in my career has always been a dream, especially because I reached the No.2 spot back in 2017, but at that time it didn’t feel like the No.1 spot was getting any closer. Over the last two seasons I’ve been feeling more solid, more consistent, and I had some really great battles, so I felt stronger on the tour, especially after winning the British Open and U.S. Open back-to-back. But I never thought it would be coming this soon.
“I was in shock when I heard about Raneem’s retirement, I didn’t expect it at all by any means. She was the one who called me and she told me before announcing it on social media because she wanted it to be something personal. I had really mixed emotions, I was sad that one of the legends of the game and a good friend and teammate was retiring, she is like a big sister to me and we have shared a lot of memories together.”
While the men’s and women’s PSA World Rankings are currently frozen due to the suspension of the PSA World Tour, El Welily’s retirement sees her come out of the rankings, meaning everyone else moves up a place.
That means Nour El Sherbini moves back up to No.2 and CIB Nour El Tayeb (No.4).
CIB Hania El Hammamy, young player of the year, moves up to a career-high No.6. CIB Salma Hany reaches a career-high ranking of No.11, while Yathreb Adel (No.13), Rowan Elaraby (No.15), Nadine Shahin (No.17), and Nada Abbas (No.19) also achieve their best ever World Rankings.
No change for the Men…
Omar Abdel Aziz
Okay, Raneem, you have experienced such an amazing dream that anyone wishes for. I wish you more happiness in the Next and upcoming new stage . #Everybody loves You#
Nouran: When I first saw this girl and had the chance to coach her, she was only 15 years old!
6 years ago till our last session, she had the same passion and hunger and eagerness towards her squash.
To reach this level and being the world number One is an absolute pleasure and a start to a very new learning process that we are so up for as we know we have so Much to work on and improve .
Nouran had the privilege to compete with an amazing Egyptian generation that we learned so much from and still; starting with the Founder of Egyptian women professional squash Omneya Abdel Kawy, to the Legend Raneem el Welely , champion Nour El Sherbini , alongside the Talented and skillful Nour El Tayeb .
We had the privilege to be under the most professional squash Entity in the world @wadideglaclubs and the one and only our Supporter karim Darwish .
I would like to thank and congratulate her parents for such a great effort and Believe In Us , Her coaches Every single one since day one thank YOU 🙏
And also I would like to thank the whole team , Fitness Coach Hossam shadad , Dr. Medhat Aasem .
Physiotherapist : Dr. Mohamed Wafaay
This journey to here wasn’t Easy , we have learned how to lose and that makes winning feels much better .
Nouran you proved that persistence and determination and Hard work and knowing your exact capabilities always pays off eventually!
# very well deserved # ELHAMDOLELAAH#
NOURAN GOHAR PHOTO ALBUM
