Cayman is not renowned for producing world class squash players but can feel proud that a teenager is blazing a trail in Egypt and could soon inspire the next generation.
Alain Mudeen turned pro around six months ago and he played his first Professional Squash Association in Chicago in September against the world No.5 David Palmer. Although the Englishman beat Mudeen easily, the Caymanian acquitted himself well.
‘Palmer beat me 3-0 but that was expected, he is the former world No.1,’ says Mudeen. ‘It was a good experience.’
The 17-year-old was the Caribbean Junior Champion last year and is doing remarkably well as a rookie pro. He was ranked 400 at first and has already shot up to 250.
Is he actually earning money now? ‘A little bit,’ he laughs then admits it is ‘close to a thousand bucks’.
Based in Cairo, Eygpt, he’s combining playing with pursuing a business studies degree at the university there.
Mudeen feels he has the best chance of becoming a world class player there because of its high standards. In fact, he trains with world no.1, Amr Shabana at the same club, Gezira.
Has he had a chance to train or play with Shabana? ‘They don’t let the juniors near the big boys,’ he smiles.
‘For the next 12 months I want to complete another year at university and hopefully get my ranking up to the top 150 and play through a few more tournaments.’
In an average week he gets up around eight, has a big breakfast then it’s off to the gym for a heavy session or a run. He’ll nap then do some squash in the afternoon. All that is wrapped around his studies, of course.
‘It’s actually more fun than I expected it to be. The training is always hard but once you get to the tournaments it’s always nice. Great atmosphere, lovely hotels with food all the time, the players are nice and you get some great matches.’
His coach is Amir Wagih, the former Egyptian national coach who advises most of the world’s top 10 players.
Dad, Ali, is proud of the maturity Alain has shown. ‘For him at that age to move to Egypt on his own and settle so well is pleasing. What he didn’t mention is that he is almost fluent in Arabic, which he’s picked up quickly. I think language is a big thing in this day and age.
‘Overall as a parent I try to support him as much as I can and I’m very proud of what he has done.
‘There were a lot of naysayers when he started and for him to move up the ranking so fast is great. He still has a long way to go but we’re proud of what he’s done so far.’
Mudeen just missed a PSA tournament in Prague, Czech Republic and before Christmas he may compete in one in Wales.
Mudeen is also eyeing the British junior open and Canadian and United States ones too. Younger brother Matthew, 14, might be competing in the North American ones too.
‘The first year of university is always quite hard,’ Ali says. ‘Cairo is a very large city with millions of people.
‘So to move from the Cayman Islands to Cairo and make that adjustment, living on his own, is tough.
‘I’ve been to see him twice there to make sure he’s really training as hard as he tells us he is!
‘I think he’s very modest which is a very good trait. I’ve seen him train as much as three times a day and he’s training with the best guys and sometimes in Egypt he gets some tough matches.’
Mudeen has no sponsorship so it’s down to family funds to keep him going until, hopefully, the big bucks start rolling in. ‘Do you know anyone who could sponsor?’ jokes Ali who is a director with an international financial services firm.
‘Yes, it’s very costly, but it’s an investment like anything else. Sport has always been a big tradition in my family, including boxing, cricket, tennis, squash… You name it, we play everything, mostly ball sports.
‘It makes a lot of sense. They can stay home and play a lot of electronic video games all day or you can spend some money and get them out there. It’s an investment. If he’s picking up his university education at the same time he isn’t losing anything really.
‘Alain really got the respect of a lot of people at the Chicago tournament, including John White (former world champion) who was seeking him out. Even the commentators who were broadcasting said he had some potential.
‘He also did an exhibition game with Jonathon Power who was also one of the greatest ever to play the game. Power also thinks Alain has tremendous ability.
‘Chicago was a nice eye opener, to be mixing with the big boys. Everybody embraced him. He was the youngest one there.’
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