Nobody will want to face Abdulla Al-Tamimi at the Asian Games.
Out for almost a year after becoming squash's latest victim of the dreaded Achilles tear at last season's Qatar Classic, Al-Tamimi returned to the PSA Tour in August and will be the name everyone wants to avoid in the draw in Aichi-Nagoya.
The Qatari had risen to no.16 in the world in late 2023 and remained in the top 20 when the injury struck last October.
Now almost fully rehabilitated, he will arrive in Japan with no expectation, little pressure on his shoulders and a renowned bagful of tricks, as he's one of the most skilful players on tour. For potential opponents, he will be an absolute nightmare.
"I don't think I'll be seeded too high because I don't have my protected ranking, so they will be worried about playing me in the first round," he tells Squash Player, with undisguised relish.
"I could play anyone in the round of 16 or the quarters. It depends whether my bronze from last time is taken into consideration. They will be more nervous. They don't know how I've been since the injury. There's far more pressure on them than myself."
During his 10 months off court, Al-Tamimi enjoyed spending time with his three boys (aged five, four and seven months) and didn't try to hurry his rehab. "My mentality was, I'll have more time with the family and the kids," he says. "I won't rush it, I'll come back when I'm ready.
"I was thinking, 'What's the difference between 10 or 13 months? The whole season has gone anyway.'"
At the time of writing, his comeback was set to start with a visit to Gregory Gaultier for a training block in Prague, before playing back-to-back PSA events at the Valencia Memorial, Budapest Open, London Open and Qatar Classic to build his match fitness back up before heading to Japan in mid-September.
His results in those tournaments (which you'll know by the time you pick up this magazine) will give some clues about his readiness to challenge for an Asian Games gold medal. As of early August, when we speak, he said: "If I'm between 80-100% fitness for the Asian Games, I'll be happy."
He added: "I don't feel any more pain in my Achilles, which is the most important thing. Changing direction I'm not 100% yet, but I'm moving better and my fitness level is increasing day-by-day. I'm hitting the ball pretty well and I'm testing myself against better players."
The Doha resident would be justified in feeling he has unfinished business with the Asian Games.
In 2014 in Incheon, Korea, aged just 19, he lost in five games against Max Lee in the quarter-finals. Having lost the first two games in a nervous blur, he fought back to 2-2 but lost 11/2 in the decider. "I didn't believe in myself then," he reflects.
Of 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia, Al-Tamimi says: "I really felt I could win it." He'd beaten all the main contenders two weeks previously in winning the Malaysian Open and was given the honour of being flag bearer at the opening ceremony.
"If they give you that, they expect you to win the gold!" he reflects. "I went with a lot of confidence, but I couldn't handle the pressure." He lost in a five-setter in the quarter-finals to Malaysia's Nafizwan Adnan, a 5/8 seed.
Before the most recent Asian Games in 2023, Al-Tamimi had had hip surgery and played only three tournaments before flying to Hangzhou, where he won bronze, surrendering a 9-5 lead at one game all in the semis against eventual champion Eain Yow Ng.
"That's why I'm not really worried this time around," he states. "I wasn't ready at all last time and won bronze. This one, I've been out for 10 months. I just want to enjoy playing again and when I do that I'm more dangerous than when I'm really full-on."
Al-Tamimi's inclusion in this article as a top-three contender risks offending Pakistan's Noor Zaman (world no.29 at time of writing and likely to be Asian Games no.3 seed), as well as India's Veer Chotrani (no.38), Ramit Tandon (no.43) and several others who currently sit above Al-Tamimi in the PSA world rankings.
But the Qatari believes his ranking will take care of itself as his recovery to full fitness continues.
"Who cares about the ranking?" he laughs. "I'm the same person. I will get back up there again. It's not a big deal. As long as I stay healthy and take care of my body. It's just a matter of time.
"I'm not putting a lot of pressure on the Asian Games because I'll have my chance [to qualify for LA28] through my ranking in May 2028, so I know it's not the end of the world.
"I think it's stupid to have a qualifying event two years before a tournament [LA28]. I am against that. You never know what happens in two years. That's the negative part. But the positive part is that if you don't win it, you have almost two years to build your ranking and qualify that way.
"The plan is, by May 2028, I need to be top 20 again, then I will be one of the top eight countries. I don't think there will be more than eight countries in the top 20, because there will be at least 10 Egyptians. Either that, or just win these Asian Games. I have a pretty good chance if I stay healthy."
