A journey of grit, growth, and green apples: Malak Khafagy’s squash evolution
From Egypt to Penn, Khafagy’s love for squash has transformed her into a star on the team.

The year is 2018, and she is in the car with her mom, taking a bite of a slice of her favorite pre-practice snack — green apples with lemon and cinnamon — and dreading the hours of squash to come. She is not yet aware of what it is like to fall in love with the sound of winning and the grip of the racket when she serves. Now-sophomore Malak Khafagy was 14 years old. Soon, she will be the star player on the Penn women’s squash team, but not yet.

Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Khafagy grew up with a younger sister, supportive parents, and an intensely competitive squash-centered environment.

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