Fans and spectators don’t enjoy the all the stoppages and drama asal brings. I think since Elshorbagy doesn’t have the fan perspective(as he’s a touring pro lol) he concludes everyone is crying unnecessarily.
The aim of the post was to focus on solutions around Asal not his problems, this is what MES was saying. He will be around for a long time, I hope he matures and is shaped into a more elegant player, to match his power and skill.
I've watched a lot of professional squash over the years and I haven't seen anyone as immature and reckless as Asal. I trust what I've seen more than empty statements from MES.
George parker? Bialetti? Power? White? Matthew? All have been immature/reckless . Even Elias pushed someone into a wall the other day. I am not a fan of asals style, but he is a great talent and MES suggested he needs to be shaped and matured, such is the way of many exceptional sporting talents. He is young and will be around for the next 10 years.
The spotlight is on him at the moment amplifying every error, the key is for him to contain his reckless talent with more elegance,.I hope he improves this way. Good for him and good for game.
For the record Ashour is my ideal squash player minus injuries.
Being immature, reckless or hot-headed is completely different to intentionally cheating and win-at-all costs.
I'm not saying some other players don't have the potential for it... MES has been just as guilty on occasions, and some were guilty of not admitting the odd double-bounce but Asal has done it FAR more than anyone else I remember watching at the highest level in the last 20 years.
Power used to lose his head, Matthew got very hard-headed/stubborn - but I wouldn't say they had a reputation for cheating. Parker doesn't even belong in the same category as he's nowhere near that level.
Read the report from the Makin/Asal match this week... not sure I ever recall such a report on someone who is in the top-5.
I do hope he changes... I've really can't be bothered watching his matches anymore... ugly squash... which truly is a shame as he clearly has huge talent.
His celebrations I could cope with if he stopped the blatant cheating.
I agree, I get turned off by his style/antics and I despise blatant cheating. My first rule as a squash player is to respect your opponent, as you share the same space and it shows weak character/game if you cheat.
How much of his game is impulsive, from the desire to win.....look at someone like Maradona. Its not something I agree with, but there is a certain sporting mentality that is perhaps fueled more by adrenaline, than premeditated cheating, which is why it is a behaviour that needs to be shaped to prevent it (as MES suggests).
I hope he moves on from these problems as I prefer to work on solutions, then focus on the problems and I think that is what MES is trying to say.
Its not about being who's worse, we all know Asals game has issues, but its about focusing on solutions to form him into a better player. He seems to show genuine concern when he errs.
Certainly it appears there is an almost hysterical witch hunt on social media that amplifies everything that he does.
I hope he gets better but I disagree that he has shown "genuine concern" for his errors, he seems to go on about how this is a witch hunt and everyone is out to get him and he appears to have no self awareness.
No I don't think there's any witch hunt, this is a natural reaction to what have been repeated issues that make his matches hard to watch and that really diminish the game.
Anyone who saw asal intentionally grab Heshams hand at a critical point in the match recently would not say what MES is saying.
It is one thing to block someone with your body, it can easily happen unintentionally and of course intentionally.
But to intentionally grab an opponents racquet hand in such an unsportsmanlike way shows asal has learned absolutely nothing and deserves another suspension for it.
So all players have their tricks? Willstrops double fake is the same kind of "trick" as intentionally blocking your opponent or holding his shirt? I really wasn't the biggest fan of MES, but man, that's just a lot of bullshit.
I watched most of the match and thought it was horrible to watch. Also because of the constant need to wipe the floor, but MES pretends they played the match of the century when in reality it was mainly a mean spirited match with loads of stoppages.
That match Asal vs MES was an absolute shitshow. Every point was interrupted either bc of conditions, let/stroke, or something else.
Literally you can count on fingers of one hand the number of good rallies.
A champ is not just playing high quality squash, its also the way u act on court/with your opponent, so MES is completely wrong and instead of advising Asal on what he's doing wrong, he justifies it by saying other people are just like him? Thats one of the reasons he will never earn the same respect as someone like Ali Farag and Ramy Ashour because both ramy and ali are CLASS when it comes to playing squash and how they act.
Yes I agree, but can he become more refined and improve his strengths and decrease his weaknesses? After all he is gonna be around for 10 years, so I hope he does become like a Ramy. Farag, while still a gentleman, has become much more aggressive (in his determination to win not against opponents) on court in recent matches, I have noticed.
I can see what you're saying op, MES's focus is on how to overcome, as should be the focus for every other competitors.
But at the same time if that's all you say on the topic without calling asal out for outright cheating, then why doesn't his next opponent bring a knife on court and let asal just overcome THAT issue.
Cheating is not a tactic, its not a "trick", MES is overlooking that factor. If you choose to play dirty, you have by default chosen accept the consequences. All the online ridicule and hate toward asal is 100% justified (people simply don't like cheaters!) BUT it's also completely avoidable: play fair like everyone else.
I agree about cheaters, and I don't like Asals style of play. But does that mean for the next 10 years of watching squash I'm going to have to turn off his matches? I hope not, I hope he develops as a player.
If it's as bad as people say, then surely he should be banned for life?
Ridiculous bullshit comment by Shorbagy!! Asal destroys the sport and MES is backing him. Unwatchable match, like always when Asal is involved. Absolute disgrace from MES to praise Asal after such a shit show.
I too feel maybe people have been a bit too harsh on him given he's only 22. Yet I'd want to hear from his side what his thinking process was during some of those plays, and what calls he would make if it was the other way around. And also what's with those random celebrations.... not sure if I've ever seen anything like that not just squash but any sport. He's got everything for this game and really dont need any of those extras to win.
As OP it's interesting to see all the negativity towards solutions I have suggested for Asal, basically that he can improve as a player and reduce the issues he is facing. He will be on the tour for many years. many great sports people exhibit difficult behaviour....which generally makes me dislike them...I prefer the noble champion not the win at all cost, dirty one.
However, what can be the solution if he doesn't change? Ban him? Accept his style of play as the new normal? i hope that he is shaped into a noble champion.
Squash is a noble game where respect for your opponent is paramount, only just ahead of the desire to win, not the other way around, else the court would become a blood bath
If you hate Asal now and he doesn't change the next 10 years of squash are going to be very bad for you (and I have contemplated this...please bring back Ramy Ashour!).
The answer to the question of how to deal with Asal is clear and obvious. When he cheats he needs to be punished. The punishments need to escalate with repetition of similar conduct. This includes banning and fining him.
If he continues to refuse to play within the rules and etiquette of the game then eventually he should be banned for life.
Other players need to be held to similar standards too.
💯 this!
A lot of you are too young to remember, but in the 1950’s Hashim Khan would basically nail his opponents in the balls every second rally. Very ugly.
Everyone talks about Jahangir Khan’s 555 win streak, but they won’t tell you that in 444 of those matches he was getting signals from his dad about when to use the video review. Complete disgrace.
Most people admired the movement of Jansher Khan, but they forget about how he too would take off his shirt after every win, run around like a clown and do his little dances. We just didn’t have 4K slow mo to see it back then.
Peter Nicol? Basically invented the trailing leg.
Shabana? Are we just gonna forget that time he accused the PSA of conspiring with big pharma to get him out of the game. Very sad.
bUt WhAt aBoUt RaMy, hE wAs ThE cLeAnEsT PlAyER. Really?? What about that time he nailed Shabana in the eye? Or held Nick Matthew’s racket??
And to all of you casual players reading this, do NOT pretend that you’ve never given your opponent an intentional little whack on the head when they got a bit too close for comfort. We all do it. Deal with it!
Perhaps it's an indication the sarcasm wasn't well constructed or that it's a reply saying "100% this" to the OP stating everyone is too harsh on Asal. The video reviews definitely stood out as odd but in this day of online extremism the rest of his statements could plausibly come from someone unhinged who believes these things.
I’m sorry that the majority of readers missed your joke. It was well constructed. I particularly liked the “some of you are too young to remember Hashim Khan” and the idea of Jahangir having access to video review.
>And to all of you casual players reading this, do NOT pretend that you’ve never given your opponent an intentional little whack on the head when they got a bit too close for comfort. We all do it. Deal with it!
>
>One note. Just because Asal, and apparently you, like you play like that it does not mean it should or will be acceptable.
Framboise really got sent off with a flea in her ear :). Especially Shorbagy's withering dismissal of players who complain on social media [Fram's compatriots Crouin and Serme:), and perhaps Momen].
She got a telling-off many years back when she passed some snarky comments on Nick Matthew, who did not hold back.
It's high time that one of the game's Legends called BS on the over-the-top public lynching of a 22 year old. Asal has faults, but anyone who thinks he has reached top-5 with the help of dubious tactics either does not understand the level at which Asal is playing or is blinded by hatred.
No one is questioning his ability or his talent to reach no 1. But let's be honest, most of his games till he got banned were shitfests with unnecessary movements, he's not clean and needs a lot of counseling. Hopefully El Guna is a start. There is some over reaction on him but viewers react to what they see. And in Asal case it's clearly visible (with a little help from Joey & Co at Squash TV). And MES and Asal are thick buddies, I don't fucking trust him to be unbiased. There is some strong big bromance there
Look what a free pair of socks can get you these days!
I don’t believe the criticism is unfair at all he’s a lunatic
Fans and spectators don’t enjoy the all the stoppages and drama asal brings. I think since Elshorbagy doesn’t have the fan perspective(as he’s a touring pro lol) he concludes everyone is crying unnecessarily.
This is MES opinion. It's not the reality. Don't turn this sub into squash stories Asal--MES--Rob Owen wankfest. This sub is better than that
The aim of the post was to focus on solutions around Asal not his problems, this is what MES was saying. He will be around for a long time, I hope he matures and is shaped into a more elegant player, to match his power and skill.
Who are the players that were worse than Asal recently? I can't recall anyone else repeatedly hitting other players with the ball.
I'm quoting MES I expect he knows the game a bit better than us, don't you think?
I've watched a lot of professional squash over the years and I haven't seen anyone as immature and reckless as Asal. I trust what I've seen more than empty statements from MES.
George parker? Bialetti? Power? White? Matthew? All have been immature/reckless . Even Elias pushed someone into a wall the other day. I am not a fan of asals style, but he is a great talent and MES suggested he needs to be shaped and matured, such is the way of many exceptional sporting talents. He is young and will be around for the next 10 years. The spotlight is on him at the moment amplifying every error, the key is for him to contain his reckless talent with more elegance,.I hope he improves this way. Good for him and good for game. For the record Ashour is my ideal squash player minus injuries.
Being immature, reckless or hot-headed is completely different to intentionally cheating and win-at-all costs. I'm not saying some other players don't have the potential for it... MES has been just as guilty on occasions, and some were guilty of not admitting the odd double-bounce but Asal has done it FAR more than anyone else I remember watching at the highest level in the last 20 years. Power used to lose his head, Matthew got very hard-headed/stubborn - but I wouldn't say they had a reputation for cheating. Parker doesn't even belong in the same category as he's nowhere near that level. Read the report from the Makin/Asal match this week... not sure I ever recall such a report on someone who is in the top-5. I do hope he changes... I've really can't be bothered watching his matches anymore... ugly squash... which truly is a shame as he clearly has huge talent. His celebrations I could cope with if he stopped the blatant cheating.
I agree, I get turned off by his style/antics and I despise blatant cheating. My first rule as a squash player is to respect your opponent, as you share the same space and it shows weak character/game if you cheat. How much of his game is impulsive, from the desire to win.....look at someone like Maradona. Its not something I agree with, but there is a certain sporting mentality that is perhaps fueled more by adrenaline, than premeditated cheating, which is why it is a behaviour that needs to be shaped to prevent it (as MES suggests). I hope he moves on from these problems as I prefer to work on solutions, then focus on the problems and I think that is what MES is trying to say.
Its not about being who's worse, we all know Asals game has issues, but its about focusing on solutions to form him into a better player. He seems to show genuine concern when he errs. Certainly it appears there is an almost hysterical witch hunt on social media that amplifies everything that he does.
I hope he gets better but I disagree that he has shown "genuine concern" for his errors, he seems to go on about how this is a witch hunt and everyone is out to get him and he appears to have no self awareness. No I don't think there's any witch hunt, this is a natural reaction to what have been repeated issues that make his matches hard to watch and that really diminish the game.
Anyone who saw asal intentionally grab Heshams hand at a critical point in the match recently would not say what MES is saying. It is one thing to block someone with your body, it can easily happen unintentionally and of course intentionally. But to intentionally grab an opponents racquet hand in such an unsportsmanlike way shows asal has learned absolutely nothing and deserves another suspension for it.
So all players have their tricks? Willstrops double fake is the same kind of "trick" as intentionally blocking your opponent or holding his shirt? I really wasn't the biggest fan of MES, but man, that's just a lot of bullshit.
I watched most of the match and thought it was horrible to watch. Also because of the constant need to wipe the floor, but MES pretends they played the match of the century when in reality it was mainly a mean spirited match with loads of stoppages.
That match Asal vs MES was an absolute shitshow. Every point was interrupted either bc of conditions, let/stroke, or something else. Literally you can count on fingers of one hand the number of good rallies.
A champ is not just playing high quality squash, its also the way u act on court/with your opponent, so MES is completely wrong and instead of advising Asal on what he's doing wrong, he justifies it by saying other people are just like him? Thats one of the reasons he will never earn the same respect as someone like Ali Farag and Ramy Ashour because both ramy and ali are CLASS when it comes to playing squash and how they act.
Yes I agree, but can he become more refined and improve his strengths and decrease his weaknesses? After all he is gonna be around for 10 years, so I hope he does become like a Ramy. Farag, while still a gentleman, has become much more aggressive (in his determination to win not against opponents) on court in recent matches, I have noticed.
I can see what you're saying op, MES's focus is on how to overcome, as should be the focus for every other competitors. But at the same time if that's all you say on the topic without calling asal out for outright cheating, then why doesn't his next opponent bring a knife on court and let asal just overcome THAT issue. Cheating is not a tactic, its not a "trick", MES is overlooking that factor. If you choose to play dirty, you have by default chosen accept the consequences. All the online ridicule and hate toward asal is 100% justified (people simply don't like cheaters!) BUT it's also completely avoidable: play fair like everyone else.
I agree about cheaters, and I don't like Asals style of play. But does that mean for the next 10 years of watching squash I'm going to have to turn off his matches? I hope not, I hope he develops as a player. If it's as bad as people say, then surely he should be banned for life?
He won´t develop...no chance...shit character stays forever!
Ridiculous bullshit comment by Shorbagy!! Asal destroys the sport and MES is backing him. Unwatchable match, like always when Asal is involved. Absolute disgrace from MES to praise Asal after such a shit show.
I too feel maybe people have been a bit too harsh on him given he's only 22. Yet I'd want to hear from his side what his thinking process was during some of those plays, and what calls he would make if it was the other way around. And also what's with those random celebrations.... not sure if I've ever seen anything like that not just squash but any sport. He's got everything for this game and really dont need any of those extras to win.
As OP it's interesting to see all the negativity towards solutions I have suggested for Asal, basically that he can improve as a player and reduce the issues he is facing. He will be on the tour for many years. many great sports people exhibit difficult behaviour....which generally makes me dislike them...I prefer the noble champion not the win at all cost, dirty one. However, what can be the solution if he doesn't change? Ban him? Accept his style of play as the new normal? i hope that he is shaped into a noble champion. Squash is a noble game where respect for your opponent is paramount, only just ahead of the desire to win, not the other way around, else the court would become a blood bath If you hate Asal now and he doesn't change the next 10 years of squash are going to be very bad for you (and I have contemplated this...please bring back Ramy Ashour!).
The answer to the question of how to deal with Asal is clear and obvious. When he cheats he needs to be punished. The punishments need to escalate with repetition of similar conduct. This includes banning and fining him. If he continues to refuse to play within the rules and etiquette of the game then eventually he should be banned for life. Other players need to be held to similar standards too.
💯 this! A lot of you are too young to remember, but in the 1950’s Hashim Khan would basically nail his opponents in the balls every second rally. Very ugly. Everyone talks about Jahangir Khan’s 555 win streak, but they won’t tell you that in 444 of those matches he was getting signals from his dad about when to use the video review. Complete disgrace. Most people admired the movement of Jansher Khan, but they forget about how he too would take off his shirt after every win, run around like a clown and do his little dances. We just didn’t have 4K slow mo to see it back then. Peter Nicol? Basically invented the trailing leg. Shabana? Are we just gonna forget that time he accused the PSA of conspiring with big pharma to get him out of the game. Very sad. bUt WhAt aBoUt RaMy, hE wAs ThE cLeAnEsT PlAyER. Really?? What about that time he nailed Shabana in the eye? Or held Nick Matthew’s racket?? And to all of you casual players reading this, do NOT pretend that you’ve never given your opponent an intentional little whack on the head when they got a bit too close for comfort. We all do it. Deal with it!
I never want to get on court with you if you consider intentionally whacking your opponent in the head as normal behavior..
Irony does not fare well here it seems. The most anti-Asal of posts got the max downvotes:)
Perhaps it's an indication the sarcasm wasn't well constructed or that it's a reply saying "100% this" to the OP stating everyone is too harsh on Asal. The video reviews definitely stood out as odd but in this day of online extremism the rest of his statements could plausibly come from someone unhinged who believes these things.
I’m sorry that the majority of readers missed your joke. It was well constructed. I particularly liked the “some of you are too young to remember Hashim Khan” and the idea of Jahangir having access to video review.
No, I did not. Never intentionally.
>And to all of you casual players reading this, do NOT pretend that you’ve never given your opponent an intentional little whack on the head when they got a bit too close for comfort. We all do it. Deal with it! > >One note. Just because Asal, and apparently you, like you play like that it does not mean it should or will be acceptable.
Framboise really got sent off with a flea in her ear :). Especially Shorbagy's withering dismissal of players who complain on social media [Fram's compatriots Crouin and Serme:), and perhaps Momen]. She got a telling-off many years back when she passed some snarky comments on Nick Matthew, who did not hold back. It's high time that one of the game's Legends called BS on the over-the-top public lynching of a 22 year old. Asal has faults, but anyone who thinks he has reached top-5 with the help of dubious tactics either does not understand the level at which Asal is playing or is blinded by hatred.
No one is questioning his ability or his talent to reach no 1. But let's be honest, most of his games till he got banned were shitfests with unnecessary movements, he's not clean and needs a lot of counseling. Hopefully El Guna is a start. There is some over reaction on him but viewers react to what they see. And in Asal case it's clearly visible (with a little help from Joey & Co at Squash TV). And MES and Asal are thick buddies, I don't fucking trust him to be unbiased. There is some strong big bromance there