Peru’s Diego Elias has become the first player from South America to ascend to the top of the PSA World Rankings.
26-year-old Elias, from Lima, overtook Egypt’s Mostafa Asal in this week’s rankings to go to World #1 for the first time, despite losing out to Ali Farag in the final of the British Open this weekend.
Elias has enjoyed the best season of his career to date, winning four PSA titles throughout the campaign, including major titles at the U.S. Open and Tournament of Champions (followed by consecutive wins in the Motor City and Pittsburgh Opens) which helped him to become the 23rd man to reach the summit.
Overall Diego has 13 PSA titles to his name, after reaching 27 finals.
Speaking after he found out he would be going to World #1, Elias said:
“It’s a dream come true !
I ended last year playing very well, I got to two finals [Singapore and Hong Kong Opens] so I knew I was playing well, but I didn’t win the titles.
“But at the start of this year I did a lot of work and I think it paid off at ToC and the next two tournaments.”
Elias enjoyed a stellar junior career, winning the British Junior Open U17 and U19 titles in 2013 and 2015, and the World Junior title in 2014 and 2015 – winning both titles alongside current Women’s World #1 Nouran Gohar !
In his native South America he claimed a Golden hat-trick (singles, doubles and team) in the 2018 South American Games, won the 2018 Pan American Championship, and took Gold at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima.
Diego Elias Photo Gallery 2014-2023
