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02-Nov-2010:
Marwan rising ... |
 Marwan
El Shorbagy, little brother of, has been a feature on
SquashSite for a few years now, initially as a guest
reporter, then helping us out with photos and reports from
several tournaments.
He was a player too of course, and over the last couple of
years has made great strides in this area.
In January he won the U17 British Junior Open (and
reported on the finals too), in July he finished third in
the World Juniors in Quito, and in October he played
his first two PSA events, rising from #445 to #177
in a single month!
We'll let Marwan tell you the latest chapter ...
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I entered my name in the PSA
last month for the first time, and this month, my ranking
went up 277 places, which I think is a good jump for a first
month. I’m now getting more excited to improve it every
month…
For me everything was really exciting but it was scary at
the same time because I didn’t know what was going to
happen, everything is just different when you play a pro
tournament.
So Amr Mansi gave me a local spot in El Gouna,
so I had to start my PSA career with a Platinum tournament
which was very exciting for me. It was my first time, and I
came to see how they make a qualification draw and
everything and that was a new experience for me.
 I
had to play Campbell Grayson first round I probably
knew I had a chance to beat him but I just didn’t want to
think that way I just thought it’s my first match so let’s
just enjoy it and learn something new, so didn’t put any
pressure on myself.
I won 3/1 and won the last game 11/0 in my first PSA match,
after that I had to play Mohammed Abbas.
Abbas is one of my favourite squash players on the tour, he
is one of the most talented squash players, I like watching
him all the time. I think I played one of the best matches
of my life and I am so happy to take him to five games and
make the match really close.
 Then
a week after I had to travel to Hong Kong for the
first time for the Crocodile Challenge Cup. Its a nice city,
people are so kind there and I am sure I will go there
again.
I didn’t want to think that I should do well because I
travelled all this way and paid so much money so I have to
do well! I just thought it's a new experience for me anyway
and I am going to learn even if I lose first round there. so
I tried to keep the pressure away from myself.
To be a qualifier and to reach the final of my second PSA
tournament is I think a good result, and beating tough
players in their home city. I had some other good wins there
over Ivan and Dick, and I played really good squash there.
Now I’m in England and have to work harder and harder now. I
love playing squash and I love to train hard every day, it’s
like a job for me now, I have one month to train no
tournaments will only play some league matches so I think I
have good time to prepare my self for more tournaments in
December.
Then I have my main target the British Junior Open in
January and obviously the world juniors in Belgium
next year.
I have been working with Jonah Barrington and Ian
Thomas for four years now in Millfield school, they know
what I need and they are trying to improve my game into the
pro level now.
 Jonah
is a great man, he’s been helping me for everything since I
came to England so I really want to thank him for that and
thank Ian as well. My brother is helping me a lot in
my squash and he is like my manager now, he chooses the
tournaments that I should play and everything.
Dad and Mum have been a great support for me
obviously and they are always there for me when I need them,
all my friends in Egypt and in England have been supporting
me all time so I just want to thank all these people.
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