In squash - The Podcast

In this episode, I’m joined by Rahul Vashishtha, currently at Bates College and soon to take on the Assistant Coach role at Louisville Collegiate School.

Rahul has taken a truly global path through the game—starting in India, moving into national-level coaching in Singapore, and now building his career in the United States. We dive into that journey, but more importantly, we focus on the realities behind it.

This episode is particularly valuable for young and aspiring coaches looking to break into the North American system. We unpack the key challenges that often don’t get talked about enough—especially when it comes to navigating visas, securing opportunities, and adapting to new coaching environments and cultures.

We also explore:

The differences in coaching culture across India, Singapore, and the US
What the US college system looks like from the inside
Practical advice on finding coaching opportunities abroad
Strategies that helped Rahul successfully transition between countries
What to expect when it comes to lifestyle, work environment, and career progression

If you’re an aspiring coach with ambitions to work internationally—or simply curious about what it really takes to build a coaching career across borders—this is one you won’t want to miss.

I’m joined by James Zug—a true pillar in the squash media space and someone who, in many ways, helped inspire this very podcast through his early work with Outside the Glass. We’ve been meaning to make this one happen for a few years now, and with the release of the second edition of Squash: A History of the Game, the timing couldn’t have been better.

This is a deep dive into the roots of the game—where it came from, how it evolved, and the characters who shaped it along the way. From the early days of squash in North America to the influence of legends like Hashim Khan, we get into the stories that don’t always get told but absolutely should be.

We also explore:

The origins of squash and how it spread globally
The divide between hardball and softball—and why it mattered
And some of the great rivalries, including Jahangir Khan vs Mark Talbott

Great chat with James Zug!!

One of the PSA's most exciting young talents, Matias Knudsen, makes his In Squash Pod debut on Ep. 393. We take a deep dive into his breakout season, what it means to earn direct entry into the World Championships, and how close he is to breaking into the sport’s biggest events. Matias also reflects on his college days at Drexel under the legendary “General” John White, and why the U.S. college pathway was the right move for his development.

Of course, we couldn’t skip over that trick shot—Matias walks us through one of the most creative points you’ll see on tour, and shares a few more moments where instinct and imagination took over.

We also explore the influence of Colombian legend Miguel Rodriguez on his game, and what it’s like preparing to face him on one of squash’s biggest stages.

Great chat!!

PSA Gold and Platinum events are back—and with them, one of the standout tournaments on the calendar: the Optasia Championship, and with that we’re joined by Bassim Haidar—Founder of Optasia and the driving force behind the event.

Bassim shares his personal squash journey, from how he first got into the sport to becoming one of its most impactful supporters. We dive into his entrepreneurial story—launching companies in his early 20s and building Optasia into what it is today—before exploring what inspired him to invest in squash and help elevate it on the global stage.

We also get a behind-the-scenes look at his long-standing support of the Mohamed ElShorbagy and Marwan ElShorbagy, his relationship with the Professional Squash Association, and how he’s seen the professional game evolve over the years.

With squash set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics, Bassim shares his thoughts on what the sport needs to do to capitalize on this historic moment.

We also discuss:

His partnership with Danny Lee and what makes the Optasia event tick
The current and next generation of top players
What he’d change about the global squash landscape
And, of course, what he’s most excited about for this year’s Optasia Championship

A brilliant conversation with one of the key figures helping push squash forward.

In this episode, I’m joined by Cross Court Analytics data analyst Tom Glover, who takes us behind the scenes of how elite players and coaches are using performance data to gain a competitive edge.

We explore how Cross Court Analytics works with top professionals, what kind of insights players are actually looking for, and how those same tools can benefit club and amateur players. From identifying patterns in match play to breaking down decision-making under pressure, this is a fascinating look at squash through a completely different lens.

Tom also dives into some recent and compelling case studies, including:

What the numbers reveal about fast vs slow starters—featuring players like Mohamed ElShorbagy, Karim Abdel Gawad, and Ali Farag

A data breakdown of the thrilling Zakaria vs Makin semi-final

Insights into Marina Stefanoni’s standout performances in Australia

What’s driving Paul Coll’s recent success

And a remarkable deep dive into 300,000 drop shots, where Nour El Sherbini emerges as the most efficient, alongside Youssef Ibrahim and Joelle King