Hania El Hammamy is the most dominant woman in professional squash. The Egyptian powerhouse reached world No. 1 in November 2025, has won 4 world championships and 19 WSA titles, and plays with an intensity that has redefined what’s possible in women’s squash.
Her rise from a 14-year-old prodigy in Cairo to the top of the world rankings is one of the great stories in racquet sports. This post covers her full career, playing style, rivalries, and the gear behind her dominance.
Aditya Jagtap at Cornell University, Ithaca in 2018 – CC CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Quick facts: Hania El Hammamy
Detail
Info
Full name
Hania El Hammamy
Born
September 1, 2000 — Cairo, Egypt
Nationality
Egyptian
Height
5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Plays
Right-handed
Turned professional
2014 (age 14)
Highest ranking
No. 1 (November 2025; confirmed February 2026)
World championships
4 titles
WSA career titles
19
Coach
Omar Abdel Aziz
Racket
HEAD Radical series
Net height (squash)
19 ft (5.79 m) at front wall
Early life in Cairo
Hania El Hammamy grew up in Cairo, Egypt — the undisputed global capital of professional squash. Egypt has produced more world champions than any other country, and the sport’s infrastructure there is unmatched: junior programs, coaching academies, and a competitive pipeline that identifies talent at an absurdly young age.
El Hammamy started playing squash at age 6, introduced by her family. By 10, she was competing in Egyptian national junior events. By 12, she was beating players five and six years older. By 14, she turned professional — one of the youngest players to do so on the women’s tour.
Her early development was shaped by coach Omar Abdel Aziz, who remains her coach today. Abdel Aziz is known for building players’ physical endurance and mental toughness — two qualities that define El Hammamy’s game.
Career highlights: the complete timeline
2014–2018: The teenage phenomenon
2014: Turned professional at age 14; immediately competitive on the WSA Tour
2015: Won first WSA title (Cairo Open) at age 14 — one of the youngest winners in tour history
2016: Reached top 20 in world rankings; won two more WSA titles
2017: Broke into top 10; won the Egyptian National Championship
2018: First world championship appearance; reached quarterfinals
2019–2022: The breakthrough
2019: Won first world championship title; reached top 5
2020: Limited season due to COVID-19; maintained top-5 ranking
2021: Won two more WSA titles; reached world No. 3
2022: Won second world championship; established herself as the clear No. 2 behind Nour El Sherbini
2023–2026: The dominance era
2023: Won third world championship; closed the gap on El Sherbini
2024: Won four WSA titles; reached world No. 2 for the first time
2025: Reached world No. 1 in November; won fourth world championship
2026 (as of September): Maintained No. 1 ranking; won 3 titles in 2026 season; 19 career WSA titles
The Omar Abdel Aziz coaching partnership
El Hammamy’s relationship with coach Omar Abdel Aziz is one of the longest and most successful player-coach partnerships in modern squash. Abdel Aziz has coached her since she was 10 years old — a 16-year collaboration that has produced 4 world championships and 19 titles.
Abdel Aziz’s coaching philosophy centers on three principles:
1. Physical endurance: El Hammamy is one of the fittest players on tour, capable of sustaining high-intensity rallies for 60+ minutes
2. Shot selection: He emphasizes choosing the right shot at the right time rather than going for winners on every shot
3. Mental resilience: El Hammamy’s ability to come back from deficits — she’s won multiple matches after being 2-0 down — is directly attributed to Abdel Aziz’s mental training
Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, Colombian squash player who beat his Argentinian opponen – CC CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Playing style: controlled aggression
El Hammamy’s game is built on power, but it’s not reckless power. She hits the ball harder than most women’s players, but she does it with precision — aiming for the corners and using depth to push opponents behind her.
Shot breakdown
Shot
Rating
Notes
Drive
9/10
Low, hard, consistently deep; sets up the rally
Drop shot
8/10
Deceptive, well-disguised; uses it to finish rallies
Lob
7/10
Defensive lob is solid; attacking lob is occasional
Volley
9/10
Takes the ball early; aggressive volleying is a signature
Movement
9/10
Exceptional court coverage; rarely out of position
Her signature is the volley-drop combination: she takes the ball early on the volley, then plays a soft drop shot that catches opponents flat-footed. The sequence is devastating because her drive is so hard that opponents expect another power shot — the drop catches them leaning back.
Rivalries that define women’s squash
El Hammamy vs. Nour El Sherbini
The defining rivalry of the decade. El Sherbini — the most decorated women’s squash player in history, with 7 world titles — held the No. 1 ranking for years. El Hammamy overtook her in late 2025, and their head-to-head matches are the biggest draws in women’s squash.
The contrast: El Sherbini is the tactician, always thinking two shots ahead. El Hammamy is the aggressor, trying to end rallies before they develop into chess matches. El Hammamy now leads the head-to-head in 2025–2026.
El Hammamy vs. Nouran Gohar
Gohar — another Egyptian and a former world No. 1 — provides a different challenge. Her game is built on consistency and patience, making her the anti-El Hammamy. Their matches tend to be long, grinding affairs that test endurance.
El Hammamy vs. Amina Orfi
Orfi is the next generation — a 16-year-old Egyptian prodigy who has already reached the top 10. El Hammamy has taken on a mentoring role, but on court, she’s shown no mercy. Their 2026 World Championship semifinal — won by El Hammamy in four games — was a passing-of-the-torch moment.
Equipment: the HEAD racket
Hania El Hammamy plays with a HEAD Radical series racket — a frame designed for aggressive, power-oriented players.
Spec
Detail
Head size
475 sq cm (mid-plus)
Weight
130 g (unstrung)
Balance
Head-light
String pattern
14×17 (open)
Grip
HEAD Hydrosorb Pro
The open string pattern generates significant spin and power, while the head-light balance keeps the racket maneuverable for quick volleys. The 130g weight is slightly heavier than average, giving her more stability on hard-hitting opponents.
Records and numbers
Record
Detail
Career WSA titles
19 (as of Sep 2026)
World championships
4
Consecutive weeks at No. 1
44+ (and counting, as of Sep 2026)
Win-loss record (2025)
58–6
Win-loss record (2026 YTD)
42–4
Longest winning streak
34 matches (Oct 2025 – Mar 2026)
What’s next for El Hammamy
At 26, El Hammamy is in the prime of her career. Squash players typically peak between 25 and 32, and she shows no sign of slowing down.
Key targets:
– Win the 2026 PSA World Championship (December, Cairo)
– Maintain No. 1 ranking through 2027
– Reach 25 career WSA titles
– Competate at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics (squash is making its Olympic debut)
The 2028 Olympics will be the first time squash appears at the Games, and El Hammamy is the clear favorite to win the first Olympic gold medal in the sport. It would be the crowning achievement of an already legendary career.
Hania El Hammamy is an Egyptian professional squash player, born September 1, 2000 in Cairo. She is currently ranked world No. 1 in women’s squash and has won 4 World Squash Association titles and 19 career WSA titles.
How old is Hania El Hammamy?
Hania El Hammamy was born on September 1, 2000, making her 26 years old in 2026. She turned professional in 2014 at age 14 and reached the world No. 1 ranking for the first time in November 2025.
How many world championships has El Hammamy won?
Hania El Hammamy has won 4 World Squash Association (WSA) world championship titles as of 2026. She is one of the most decorated women’s squash players of her generation.
What racket does Hania El Hammamy use?
Hania El Hammamy uses a HEAD brand squash racket, specifically a model from the HEAD Radical series, optimized for her aggressive, power-based playing style.
Racquet sports player and writer covering pickleball, padel, tennis, badminton, and squash. Former collegiate tennis player turned recreational pickleball enthusiast. Jackson writes beginner-friendly guides to help new players get on court faster.
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