During the Egyptian Open, former top 16 Nada Abbas, spoke out about “finally enjoying what she is doing”, speaking openly about pressure, anxiety…
After two or three seasons in the world’s top 16, Nada Abbas arrived at the outside that group for the first time. She says that is the least of her worries.
“For the past year, I haven’t been enjoying what I’m doing,” the Egyptian admitted after beating Holly Naughton. “There was a lot going on, and squash was just something that brought me so much pressure. This off-season was hard on me mentally. I didn’t want to train, I didn’t want to be doing this.”
The switch against El Sherbini
The turning point came at the first event of the season, oddly in a match she says she barely wanted to play. Two games and 8-1 down against Nour ElSherbini, Abbas stopped fighting herself.
“If you watched closely, you would see I wasn’t interested in the match. I just felt like, ‘I don’t want to be here.’ And I kind of let go. And then it started to work,” she said. “Even if she wasn’t playing her best, she’s still ElSherbini. Being 2-0 and 8-1 down, still winning the game and being close in the fourth showed me that I have something. I just have to keep going.”
A trip to Brazil followed. The result was modest, but her mindset was not.
“I was just excited to play matches and get back into this kind of pressure without treating every result as a big deal. My goal is to play, not freely, but at least with less tension. At least when I lose, I know I played. It’s not like I’m freezing.”
A familiar opponent
That approach was tested against Holly, the player Abbas has faced more than anyone else on tour.
“I knew it was tricky. Holly started the season really well, and she knows squash,” she said. “But I was kind of chill with myself about whatever the result. I definitely wanted to win, but if I didn’t, it happens. It’s part of the process.”
Even dropping the opening game didn’t shake her.
“I thought, ‘Okay, let’s go.’ I started to take it step by step. I’m really happy to be through, and really looking forward to the next match.”
The El Welily team
In her corner are Raneem El Welily and her brother Tameem. Nada says she was careful not to pressure the former world number one when she asked her to coach.
“I didn’t want her to say yes just because she felt obliged. So I thought, what if I also add Tameem? They would understand each other, and she wouldn’t have to be fully with me all the time,” she explained. “Even if she didn’t get on court with me, just having her with me is great. She’s been there, she has it all, she knows it all.”
Beyond confidence
Abbas is clear that her struggles are not about self-belief.
“I don’t think it’s a lack of confidence,” she said. “I’m open about it: I’m such an anxious person. My mind is always thinking about so many things. A lot has happened to me, in sport and outside of sport. So my problem is focusing on one thing.”
She sees it as something to work on well beyond the court.
“Right now I’m talking to you, and I’m focused on you, while usually I’m looking everywhere. It’s a problem in squash and outside of squash, and I’m trying to solve it, to have an easier life.”
