In squash - The Podcast

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

Hadrian Stiff returns to the podcast for another thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation. Since we last spoke in a two-part episode on the mental and technical sides of the game, Hadrian has continued his work in New York while supporting elite players and juniors around the world.

In this episode, we discuss his upcoming transition back to the UK and reflect on his time coaching at the Heights Casino in New York. Hadrian also shares insights from working within the US squash system during an important period leading into squash’s Olympic debut at the LA 2028 Summer Olympics in.

We also talk about the Olympic qualification journey ahead for Iain Yow, and what this historic moment means for players and coaches involved in the process.

The conversation then shifts back to a topic Hadrian is especially passionate about: the mental side of performance. We explore how elite junior players deal with pressure, why learning to sit with disappointment is a crucial skill, and the role breathing techniques can play in helping athletes perform under stress.

Greg Marche makes a long awaited return after his remarkable run to the semi-finals of the Windy City Open, making him the second-oldest player ever to reach a major semi-final on the PSA Tour.

Greg reflects on the tournament in Chicago, how his training and recovery routines have evolved as he’s gotten older, and the adjustments required to stay competitive at the top level of professional squash. We also discuss the upcoming LA 2028 Olympics, his views on the qualification process, and what the opportunity means to him going forward.

We also talk golf, a mutual passion of ours, and the positive impact golf has had on Greg's game and how it helped him during a difficult period in his PSA career. Great chat!!!

Zena Wooldridge, President of the World Squash Federation, returns exactly 100 episodes after her last appearance — when we were celebrating squash’s successful bid for LA 2028. This time, we dive into where things stand now.

We unpack preparations for LA 28, including the 16-player qualification pathway and the various scenarios that could shape the Olympic field. We discuss the Comcast venue, how the professional game is aligning with Olympic demands, and what changes fans might see as squash prepares for a global audience.

We also look ahead to Brisbane 2032, with a crucial decision looming on squash’s continued Olympic inclusion.

An essential update on squash’s Olympic journey — where we are, and what comes next. #weareopensquash #LA 28 #squashify #WorldSquashFederation