Kareem El Torkey (Egy) 3-1 [9] Aly Abou Eleinen (Egy) 12-10, 11-9, 11-13, 11-9 (78m)
It’s always very relaxing for me to play in my own country.
I don’t have to take a long flight or deal with jet lag, so I’m in the best condition. My coach is here, my mum is here, everyone is here supporting me. I feel the pressure is way less than normal, and when I don’t have that much pressure on me, I give my all. I play my best squash, my body is functioning at its best and I’m so confident.
Today I unlocked something new in my personality, and I only realised it about ten minutes ago: I don’t focus on my opponent, whoever they are.
Aly is a top-ten player. He has the potential to be in the top three, or even world number one. But I didn’t even think about who my opponent was. I was just there in the moment, playing my best squash and being confident. I’m just focusing on myself. I’m not even looking at my opponent or thinking about who I’m going to play. I’m on court, playing my squash, winning every point. That’s all.
In fact, it started in Sweden. I lost in the first round to Declan James. I didn’t play my best at all, because I was thinking about him as a player: he’s very good, very tricky, he has one of the best hands on tour. Sometimes I go in overconfident that I’ll win, and then I lose. That’s why I shouldn’t focus on my opponent.
I can lose to anyone and I can beat anyone. It’s a very tricky sport….
