The 2024/25 PSA World Tour season is less than a month away with players itching to return to competitive action in some of the biggest events in world squash. Several players made their presence known last season with maiden World Tour wins and impressive performances.
Aly Abou Eleinen
World No.14 Aly Abou Eleinen competed in 15 events during the 23/24 campaign reaching his highest ranking of 13 in March after several impressive performances. The 24-year-old graduated from Penn University in the United States at the end of the 22/23 season but had progressed up the rankings whilst also studying. The 23/24 season was his first as a full-time professional squash player and what a season it was.
In the opening three Platinum events of the season, Eleinen recorded two RD3 appearances losing out to top ten opposition Ali Farag and Mazen Hesham. The Egyptian’s good form continued as he then reached back to back finals, the second of which was the moment he captured his first World Tour event at the Hong Kong FC Open. He would reach four quarter finals in the second half of the season, including a first in a Platinum event in El Gouna.
We’re anticipating another strong season from Eleinen as he hunts down a spot in the top 10. Eleinen has scored wins over Hesham and Marwan Elshorbagy during the previous campaign and is sure to be a tough draw for any of the top eight seeds in the major competitions.
Mohamad Zakaria
Now ranked at 62 in the world, Egypt’s newest teenage sensation Mohamad Zakaria seems set for big things on the PSA World Tour and his attack on the World Tour can start this season.
The reigning World Junior Champion has already claimed four PSA titles, including a Challenger 15 and a Challenger 20 title. Aside from a wildcard spot in the 2023 El Gouna International, Zakaria earned a spot in his first World Tour event at the Manchester Open and after scoring a round one win is thirsty for more top level action.
To be ranked as high as he is at still only 16 years old takes a special talent. The no fear attitude and mentality partnered with a smart style of squash has already put him on many players’ radar and he’ll be hoping to aggressively rise up the rankings to feature in the top events.
Amina Orfi
Amina Orfi needs no introduction. A prolific winner in her junior career, including three consecutive World Junior titles and four British Junior Open titles. She emphatically announced herself on the PSA Tour in 2023, reaching the final of the Squash On Fire Open from the wildcard position before pushing World No.3 Hania El Hammamy to five games in the third round of the PSA World Championships in Chicago.
Her first full season on tour had plenty of highs including capturing her first World Tour title at the Squash On Fire Open in February, appearing in two Platinum event quarter finals and reaching her highest ranking of World No.11. The experience that Orfi gained last season is sure to stand her in good stead for the upcoming campaign and she will certainly be eyeing a place in the top 10 as well as several upsets along the way.
Fayrouz Aboelkheir
After a tough start to the 23/24 season, Fayrouz Aboelkheir really hit her stride in the turn of the year. The teenager reached her first Platinum event quarter-final in the J.P Morgan Tournament of Champions, followed by a runner-up finish at the Carol Weymuller Open just a week later. These results catapulted her inside the top 20 for the first time in her career. Another big quarter final appearance was on the horizon for the Egyptian as she downed No.4 seed Nele Gilis in the PSA World Championships to reach the last eight in the biggest event on the calendar.
Now ranked at No.16 in the world, Aboelkheir’s no fear attitude and playing style can see her be a threat to all of the top 10 throughout the upcoming season. Another milestone that is sure to be hit this season is a first World Tour title. If the 18-year-old can use her experienced from last season to her advantage, we’re expecting big things from her in the 24/25 season.
Malak Khafagy
The last player in our ‘Ones to Watch’ list for the 24/25 season is 20-year-old Malak Khafagy. Another Egyptian talent that has all the capabilities to score upsets this season and soar up the rankings. Khafagy transitioned from Challenger Tour to World Tour last season and will now be a firm fixture in all the major tournaments. She showed her quality in the ACE Malaysia Cup as she reached the semi-finals of the Bronze event. She also reached the third round of two Platinum events, showing her potential to feature alongside the world’s best.
Similarly to Orfi and Aboelkhier, Khafagy is aggressive and fearless in her play on court and moves extremely well. If she is able to capitalise on chances that are sure to come her way in many World Tour events this season, then we predict that she may be knocking on the door of the top 20 a lot sooner than she may have thought.
