Squash is driven by a cadre of elite players, coaches, commentators, and analysts. Below we profile some of the current top global squash experts, spanning champions on court, coaches off it, and influential voices in media.
These profiles look at competitive achievements, coaching records, technical knowledge, analytical insight, and influence in the sport. Each entry covers the person's background, key contributions, and notable achievements.
Leading squash experts: roles, regions, and key credentials.
| Name | Role | Region | Key credentials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ali Farag | Player (men's pro) | Egypt | Four-time World Champion (2019 to 2023) and former World No.1, known for all-round technical and tactical skill. |
| Nour El Sherbini | Player (women's pro) | Egypt | Eight-time World Champion (2015 to 2025), former World No.1, and the most decorated Egyptian female player in history. |
| Nouran Gohar | Player (women's pro) | Egypt | World Champion (2024) and two-time British Open champion, nicknamed "The Terminator" for her power. |
| Paul Coll | Player (men's pro) | New Zealand | Former World No.1 (first Kiwi man at the top), 2022 British Open champion, and Commonwealth Games gold medalist. |
| Amanda Sobhy | Player (women's pro) | United States | First U.S.-born player to reach the world's top 5, multiple Pan American Games gold medalist, and a catalyst for US squash. |
| Mike Way | Coach | Canada | Harvard head coach and 30-plus-year mentor who coached world champions Jonathon Power and Sarah Fitz-Gerald. |
| Liz Irving | Coach | Australia | Former World No.2 turned coach who guided Nicol David to eight world titles (2005 to 2014), one of the most successful coach-player partnerships in squash. |
| David Pearson | Coach | England | Former England national coach who coached three different world champions (Peter Nicol, Nick Matthew, Laura Massaro) across the men's and women's game. |
| Karim Darwish | Coach and director | Egypt | Former World No.1 (2009) and WSF Vice-President, squash director at Wadi Degla and coach to Ali Farag. |
| Joey Barrington | Commentator and analyst | England | Lead commentator for SquashTV, a former pro and son of Jonah Barrington, known for detailed match analysis. |
| Jenny Duncalf | Commentator and coach | England and Australia | Former World No.2 and multiple Commonwealth medalist, now a SquashTV presenter and a Squash Australia pathways coach. |
| Rod Gilmour | Analyst and journalist | England | Squash correspondent for The Daily Telegraph since 2008 and co-author of squash books, including Shot and a Ghost. |
Leading Players: Champions at the Pinnacle of the Sport
Ali Farag (Egypt): Four-Time World Champion and Tactical Maestro
Ali Farag is one of squash's leading players and thinkers on court. A Harvard-educated engineer turned pro, Farag won four World Championship titles (2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023), confirming his standing in the modern era. He held the World No.1 ranking on multiple occasions.
Farag is known for his all-court game, tactical intelligence, and sportsmanship, and he won the PSA Spirit of Squash award several times, voted for by fellow players. His ability to read opponents' tactics mid-match and adapt set him apart.
Off court, Farag served as PSA Men's President for four years, acting as a voice for players, before stepping down. He announced his retirement from professional squash in 2025, ranked World No.2 at the time, and is regarded as one of the standout figures of his generation.
Nour El Sherbini (Egypt): Record-Equalling Champion of Women's Squash
Nour El Sherbini has dominated women's squash in recent years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest female players. By 2025 she had won eight World Championship titles (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2025), equalling Nicol David's record for the most women's world titles.
El Sherbini won her first world title at 20, becoming the youngest women's world champion at the time, and has since spent extended periods at World No.1. She is also a multiple British Open champion and has won more than 40 professional titles, reflecting her consistency.
Her success has inspired a new generation in Egypt. With her shot-making and big-match temperament, Sherbini's legacy in the sport is already substantial.
Nouran Gohar (Egypt): Power Hitter Reigning as World Champion
Known on tour as "The Terminator," Nouran Gohar brings relentless power and intensity to the squash court. In 2024 she reached a career milestone by winning her first World Championship title, defeating rival Nour El Sherbini in the final. The breakthrough came after several near-misses, including three consecutive world finals lost to El Sherbini.
Gohar had already reached World No.1, first attaining the ranking in 2020, and was a multiple major champion. She has won the British Open twice, including a 2024 victory in a five-game final over Sherbini that was the longest women's British Open final on record.
She is known for her aggressive hitting and fitness, which is where the "Terminator" nickname comes from, and she has added more tactical patience to her game over time. Gohar's rise, alongside Sherbini, reflects Egypt's continued depth at the top of the sport. As world champion and a fixture near World No.1, she serves as both a role model and a benchmark for modern power squash.
Paul Coll (New Zealand): Pioneering Kiwi Champion Known as "Superman"
Paul "Superman" Coll is one of the top male players and a trailblazer for New Zealand squash. In March 2022 he became the first male New Zealander to reach World No.1, a landmark for a nation with a strong squash heritage but few world-topping men.
Known for his athleticism and diving retrievals, which is where the Superman nickname comes from, Coll turned that fitness into titles. He won back-to-back British Open titles in 2021 and 2022, including a win over Ali Farag for his first major. Coll also won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the men's singles, the first New Zealander to do so, and added a mixed doubles gold with Joelle King.
These results raised his profile at home, where he earned national sportsman honors. A consistent presence in the world's top 5, Coll is known for his work ethic, sportsmanship, and the improvements he has made to his attacking game. By reaching No.1 and winning major titles from outside the traditional squash powers, Coll has become an influential figure for players across Oceania and beyond.
Amanda Sobhy (United States): American Trailblazer Elevating U.S. Squash
Amanda Sobhy has become the face of American squash and one of the world's top female players. From New York and of Egyptian-American heritage, Sobhy became the first U.S.-born player to reach the top 5 of the world rankings, a breakthrough for the US. She reached a career-high of World No.3 in 2021 and has been a fixture in the top 10, which was unprecedented for an American woman.
A multiple US national champion and the 2010 World Junior Champion, Sobhy won three gold medals at the 2015 Pan American Games (singles, doubles, and team), the first squash athlete to do so at a single Games. She also helped lead the US women's team to silver at the World Team Championships.
Sobhy's playing style is offensive and crowd-pleasing, built around aggressive volleying. Off court, her outreach, including vlogs and coaching clinics, has raised interest in squash in the US and inspired junior players. By breaking new ground for Americans on the pro tour, Sobhy is regarded as a key ambassador for the sport's international growth.
Elite Coaches: Shaping Champions and Advancing the Game
Mike Way (Canada): Mentor Behind World Champions and Harvard's Program
With more than 30 years of coaching experience, Mike Way is one of squash's leading coaches and teachers. A Canadian based at Harvard University as the Gregory Lee '87 and Russell Ball '88 Endowed Coach, Way has been described as one of the best teachers of the game.
He was the personal coach of Jonathon Power (Canada's former World No.1 and World Open champion) and Sarah Fitz-Gerald (Australia's five-time World Champion) during their careers, making him one of the few coaches to have guided athletes to the top of both the men's and women's game.
Since taking charge of Harvard squash in 2010, Way has built the program into a national power, producing many All-Americans and team and individual national titles. He also worked with Ali Farag and Amanda Sobhy during their college years, helping lay the groundwork for their pro careers.
Way is known for his technical focus and emphasis on fundamentals, along with a calm, analytical style that develops adaptable players. His influence spreads internationally through clinics and the players he has sent to the pro tour.
Liz Irving (Australia): Architect of Nicol David's Reign
Liz Irving's legacy rests on coaching one of the most dominant runs in squash history. A former World No.2 player, she based herself in Amsterdam after retiring and became the long-time coach of Malaysia's Nicol David.
The partnership spanned many years and produced rare success: under Irving's guidance, Nicol David won eight World Open titles from 2005 to 2014, the most by any female player. This was the only female coach and female athlete pairing at the elite level in that era, and the two are widely regarded as the most successful coach-player partnership in the women's game.
Irving's coaching combined tactical rigor with a focus on the mental side of competing. Nicol David has paid tribute to Irving's mentorship, noting that the two made history together. Irving has also coached other top international players and was a pioneer for women in coaching at a time when female coaches were rare. She is recognized both for her coaching record and for expanding opportunities for women coaches in squash.
David Pearson (England): Coach of Multiple World Title Winners
David Pearson is regarded in elite squash circles as a leading coach, largely for his record of producing world champions. A former professional player, he served as England's National Coach from 1995 to 2010 and worked with many of the sport's greats. He is the only coach to have trained both men's and women's individual world champions.
Pearson coached England's Peter Nicol (men's World Open champion and former No.1), guided Nick Matthew to three World Championships (2010, 2011 and 2013), and coached Laura Massaro, who became World Champion in 2014. No one had previously coached both men's and women's world champions.
His coaching is marked by strong technical knowledge and an ability to make small, precise changes that yield significant gains at the elite level. Top players have credited Pearson for fine-tuning their game and mental approach; Massaro pointed to his technical knowledge and subtle mental coaching.
After stepping down as national coach, Pearson remained in demand as a personal coach and consultant, and later took an assistant doubles role with Scottish Squash. His influence on British squash's strongest era and his role in multiple world title campaigns mark him as a leading coach.
Karim Darwish (Egypt): Former World No.1 Turned Mentor
Karim Darwish reflects the modern Egyptian squash story, first as a champion player and now as a coach and administrator. During his playing career he reached World No.1 in January 2009 and won 23 PSA titles, and he was part of Egypt's team success. He has since moved into developing the next generation.
Darwish is the squash director at the Wadi Degla Club in Cairo, one of Egypt's leading training centers. He works closely with many of Egypt's top pros and is regularly seen coaching and advising Ali Farag at major tournaments. Darwish is also the coach behind Wadi Degla's pipeline of top players. He was elected a Vice-President of the World Squash Federation in December 2020.
His dual role as coach and sports director lets him shape training programs and competitive opportunities for Egyptian players, contributing to the country's depth of talent. Known during his playing days for a balanced, tactical style, Darwish brings the perspective of a former World No.1 to his coaching. His influence, from grassroots to the elite level, and his work with Egypt's top players secure his standing as a leading figure off the court.
Commentators and Analysts: Voices and Minds Enriching the Sport
Joey Barrington (England): The Voice of SquashTV
Joey Barrington has become closely associated with professional squash broadcasting. A former touring pro who reached around World No.24, Barrington is better known today as the lead commentator for PSA SquashTV, where his knowledge and enthusiasm have made him a favorite among fans.
In a single year he covered roughly 350 matches as lead commentator, a heavy workload that speaks to his dedication. He often works alongside fellow commentator Paul "PJ" Johnson, a former World No.4, providing play-by-play and analysis during matches. Barrington is the son of squash legend Jonah Barrington and brings a similar intensity to the commentary box.
His style mixes clear description of the action with strategic insight, helping viewers understand shot selection, momentum shifts, and player mindsets. He is also involved in SquashTV productions and often interviews players, bridging the gap between athletes and audience. After many years behind the mic, his commentary has become a central part of the squash viewing experience.
Jenny Duncalf (England and Australia): Former World No.2 Bringing Insight to Commentary
Jenny Duncalf offers a dual perspective as both an elite former player and a current coach and commentator. During her playing career she reached World No.2 in December 2009 and was a mainstay of the England team, winning three Commonwealth Games silver medals and medals at the Women's World Team Championships.
Since retiring, she has moved into broadcasting, appearing as a SquashTV presenter and commentator, one of the few top female players in that role. Her analysis is informed by firsthand experience against many current and recent stars, including Nicol David and Laura Massaro, and she is strong on player tactics and mindset.
Duncalf also coaches: she joined Squash Australia as a performance pathway coach, helping develop junior talent, a role that later became full-time. This keeps her involved with the sport at the grassroots while she stays visible internationally through event broadcasts. She advocates for the women's game and brings representation to a field historically dominated by male commentators. Her clear communication helps explain high-level squash to audiences and has established her as one of the sport's leading analysts.
Rod Gilmour (England): Journalist and Author Chronicling Squash's Story
Rod Gilmour represents the journalistic side of squash and is respected for his coverage of the sport. He has covered squash and other Olympic and Commonwealth sports for The Daily Telegraph since 2008, often highlighting players and storylines for a broad audience.
Beyond journalism, Gilmour has co-authored books on squash. He worked with James Willstrop on Shot and a Ghost, a candid diary of the pro tour that was nominated for the 2012 William Hill Sports Book of the Year and was the first self-published book to be nominated for the award. He also wrote Jahangir Khan 555, an in-depth look at the sport's longest winning streak and the career of Jahangir Khan.
These works reflect Gilmour's historical and technical knowledge and his skill in translating squash to the written page. He also contributes to squash magazines and websites, covering matches, trends, and the governance of the sport, and frequently interviews players and coaches. In an era when media coverage matters to a sport's growth, Gilmour's role as a storyteller and analyst is significant.
Conclusion
In a fast-evolving sport, these experts, champions, coaches, and commentators alike, represent a high level of knowledge and influence. Players like Ali Farag, Nour El Sherbini, Nouran Gohar, Paul Coll, and Amanda Sobhy continue to push athleticism and skill while drawing new audiences.
Coaches such as Mike Way, Liz Irving, David Pearson, and Karim Darwish work behind the scenes, combining technical mastery with mentorship to develop the next generation of champions. Voices and analysts like Joey Barrington, Jenny Duncalf, and Rod Gilmour add to the sport by bringing its stories and details to fans.
Each has left a mark on squash through their achievements and insight, and together they raise the standard of play, expand the sport's reach, and help preserve and advance its tactical and athletic depth for future generations.
