Amina Orfi has officially etched her name into the history books of professional squash, becoming the youngest women’s world number one in the sport’s history. The reigning senior and junior world champion claimed the coveted top spot in the Professional Squash Association (PSA) rankings following a thrilling, hard-fought victory at the Qatar Classic last week in Doha.
At just 19 years and two months old, the Egyptian squash sensation eclipsed a long-standing milestone previously held by New Zealand legend Susan Devoy. Devoy had set the benchmark back in 1984 when she reached the summit of the women’s global rankings at 20 years and two months old. Orfi’s ascent to the number one position represents a monumental shift in international squash, cementing her status as one of the most prodigious talents the sport has ever witnessed.
The crowning moment of Orfi’s historic week came in a dramatic and grueling final at the Qatar Classic, where she dethroned compatriot Hania El Hammamy. In a match that tested both players’ physical limits and mental resolve, Orfi edged past the 26-year-old world number one in a five-game thriller, winning 3-2 with a scoreline of 7-11, 11-7, 11-8, 7-11, 12-10.
The victory in Doha carried immense significance beyond the rankings. It earned Orfi her very first Platinum-tier title, marked the third major tournament victory of her burgeoning career, and secured the 15th professional win of her journey on the PSA tour. The encounter showcased the extraordinary resilience that has quickly become a trademark of Orfi’s playing style, as she battled back from deficits against an experienced and formidable opponent.
Reflecting on the emotional weight of her achievement, Orfi took to social media to share her gratitude and exhaustion following the grueling tournament. In an Instagram post published on Monday, coinciding with the weekly update of the official PSA rankings, she shared her reflections on the years of dedication required to reach the pinnacle of her sport.
“Sweat, tears, heartbreaks, and tons of sacrifices all for this moment,” she wrote, encapsulating the immense sacrifices made by elite athletes striving for global dominance.
Orfi’s historic milestone in Qatar serves as the crowning achievement of what has already been an extraordinary year for the teenager. In May, she captured global headlines by becoming the youngest world champion in history at just 18 years and 10 months old. That milestone was secured in her home country at the World Championships in Egypt, where she delivered a masterclass performance to defeat then world number two Nour El-Sherbini in another thrilling five-game final.
That victory in May made her the first player in the history of the sport to hold both the world junior and senior PSA championship titles simultaneously. The PSA, serving as the global governing body for both men’s and women’s professional squash circuits, oversees the rigorous international calendar where Orfi has rapidly risen through the ranks. Having comfortably established herself inside the world’s top three since last October, her transition from dominant junior phenomenon to undisputed senior queen has been astonishingly swift.
Speaking after her triumph in Doha on Friday, Orfi expressed both her immediate joy and her long-term ambitions for her career. The young champion made it clear that reaching the top is only the beginning of her ambitions in the sport.
“It feels amazing,” Orfi said after securing the title and the ranking. “To become world champion and become world number one in the same year is a dream that I’ve had since I was very young and I really want to enjoy it.”
Looking ahead, the newly crowned world number one emphasized her commitment to maintaining her high standards in an intensely competitive global field. She acknowledged that staying at the summit requires continuous daily progress and an unyielding hunger for further success.
“I want to just stay at this level now and keep trying to improve every day. I want to stay on top now that I’m the world number one, and I want to win a lot more titles too,” Orfi concluded.