Former World No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy (Photo PSA)
World No.1s Mostafa Asal is set to return to defend his title at the Optasia Championships 2026, at the Gold-level event in Wimbledon, London next week. The Egyptian’s draw will see an intriguing potential quarter-final against former World No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy.
Asal, the current World Champion has been a dominant force on the PSA Squash Tour this season and will return in search of back-to-back titles at the event after defeating Paul Coll in last year’s final.
As for Elshorbagy, he is looking to win a 53rd career title and a first at the Optasia Championships. Elshorbagy has never missed an Optasia Championships but aside from an injury-stricken 2023, has lost to the eventual winner each time.
“I’ve won the tournament when it was at St George’s Hill, but never won it with the Optasia title on it. I would love to win the tournament and win a 53rd title. All the top guys are there, so it will be very tough; seven of the top 10 are playing it, so that shows how good the event is that these kinds of players want to come and play it,” said Elshorbagy.
As England’s No.2 Elshorbagy has expressed his love for playing in England and spoke about how much the home crowd help him get over the line in matches and he can’t wait to feel the crowd support again.
“I obviously love playing in England in general, but with Basssim [Haidar] being there, someone who has supported me my whole career, it’s always extra special. I played a big match with Paul [Col] last year and I played well so I’m hoping to do the same this year and hopefully put on a good show for Bassim and the crowd.”
Elshorbagy has won on UK soil eight times in his career, including a World Championship title, three British Opens and a Canary Wharf Classic title. Without a win on home soil since the Manchester Open in 2020, Elshorbagy will be determined to score another victory in England before his career comes to an end.
“I’ve been in England for the last 20 years so I feel at home there and I’ve always had good support and lots of success there. I think all the events that have been in England I’ve won at some point, so I’ve been very fortunate to do that. I’ve always felt comfortable playing in England and playing at Optasia is no different and getting the extra support from the English crowd helps me along.
Elshorbagy , 35, has started the 2026 calendar year in strong form after picking up his 52nd PSA Tour title at the Squash on Fire Open.
