Elshorbagy Sends World Championship Warning by Nathan Clarke November 10, 2014 -
Squash World No.1 Mohamed Elshorbagy says he is relishing the prospect
of beginning his 2014 Qatar PSA World Championship campaign and has
sent a warning to all his championship competitors - 'You haven't seen
the best of me yet'.
The 23-year-old Bristol-based Egyptian, originally from Alexandria, has
stormed the PSA World Tour so far this season winning four consecutive
tournaments, including the prestigious Hong Kong Squash Open and US
Open PSA World Series events, but he says there is more to come.
"I am really looking forward to the World Championship and especially
so as I'm going into the competition as the World No.1," said
Elshorbagy.
"I have been training all summer for this tournament and I am confident
that my performances there will be higher than they have been so far
this season. Even though I have won my last four tournaments, I know I
can still perform better.
"I am in great form at the moment but that's not fooling me. The World
Championship for me is more important than all the other events I have
won and I am going there with my eye on one thing - winning the title."
After moving to England aged 15 to train under the guidance of
legendary squash icon Jonah Barrington, Elshorbagy has soared through
the World Rankings and claimed the coveted World No.1 spot for the
first time in his career this November, knocking Frenchman Gregory
Gaultier off top spot in the process.
The physical powerhouse has recorded back-to-back victories over the
31-year-old four-time World Championship runner-up and having toppled
defending World Champion Nick Matthew during the final of the 2013
Qatar Classic in Doha, he's confident about his chances against the
other tournament favourites.
"Nick has recently said that there is no pressure on him going into the
competition but when he steps on court, he always wants to win," said
Elshorbagy, who's younger brother Marwan will also be competing in the
championship.
"That's the type of personality he is - he always wants to win - but I
know that even if he plays his best he will not play as well as he used
to play when he was at his peak.
"I beat him in the final here in 2013 and I know that I haven't reached
my peak yet and that I can perform even better than I am doing now.
"Of course there is added pressure on me now because I am the No.1 and
the guy the other players are aiming for, but I didn't get there for no
reason. I love playing under pressure and I think I perform my best in
that situation."
Having won in Doha in 2013 and having reached the final of the last
World Championship to be staged in the Middle Eastern state, in 2012,
Elshorbagy also says Qatar feels like a second home to him.
And despite the tournament installing a brand new court for the 2014
World Championship, he is determined to make the most of 'home'
advantage.
"I love being in Qatar and I feel at ease here," he said. "The court
here feels like home to me and I'm not going to let anyone take that
away from me.
"I know Nick said recently that the new court could change how I play
here but I have been training on this court for the past two weeks so
I'm going into the competition ready and better prepared than anyone
else."
The 2014 Qatar PSA World Championship takes place at the Khalifa Tennis
and Squash Complex, Doha, Qatar from Friday November 14 - Friday
November 21 with entry to all matches free-of-charge.
