Former squash world number one Mohamed ElShorbagy has switched allegiance from Egypt to England, with the Mauritius Open set to be his first tournament under the new flag ©England Squash

Former squash world number one Mohamed ElShorbagy has switched allegiance from Egypt to England and is set to compete for his new country for the first time at the inaugural Mauritius Open, which is due to start tomorrow. 

Born in Alexandria, ElShorbagy is one of the most decorated squash players of all time, having spent 50 months as the world's highest ranked male player between 2014 and 2021.

He has also won 44 professional titles, putting him joint-sixth on the all-time men's winners list.

The 31-year-old is currently ranked third in the world and has lived in England since he was 15 where he attended Millfield School and played under the guidance of six-time British Open champion Jonah Barrington.

ElShorbagy has since been based in Bristol, where he studied at the University of the West of England.


"I'm really excited to be representing England now," said ElShorbagy.

"I've lived in England more than half my life and have been trained by British coaches.

"I came to study in England in 2006 and Bristol has since become my home.

"As a British citizen now, I will give everything I can to a country that has supported me for so many years.

"The opportunity to represent England is extremely exciting and I will give it my all playing under the English flag."

Second seed ElShorbagy has a first-round bye at the Mauritius Open at the RM Club and is set to face either India's Ramit Tandon or new countryman James Willstrop in the second phase of this Professional Squash Association Tour Gold event. 

New Zealand's Paul Coll has been listed as the men's top seed and will be looking to win his fifth title of the season at a tournament scheduled to conclude on Saturday (June 11) and reclaim his world number one spot which he lost to Egypt's Ali Farag this month.

New Zealand's Paul Coll will looking for victory at the Mauritius Open knowing it will take him back to the top of the world rankings ©PSA
New Zealand's Paul Coll will looking for victory at the Mauritius Open knowing it will take him back to the top of the world rankings ©PSA

There is also a women’s challenger 30 event taking place alongside the Mauritius Open.

The RMCLUB Women’s Open is due run directly alongside the men’s event at the same venue with Belgium's Tinne Gilis handed the number one seed.

Following the tournament on the island nation, ElShorbagy is set to begin preparations for his debut at the British National Squash Championships in Manchester from June 14 to 18 where he is due to be men's top seed.

He will not compete at the Commonwealth Games, due to take place in Birmingham from 28 July to 8 August later this year, because the selection deadline passed in April.