Indian Open 2025: A Historic Squash Tournament Set to Begin in Mumbai

Exciting Times for Squash in India

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 23: A significant milestone in Indian squash is on the horizon as the Indian Open 2025 prepares to kick off. This tournament marks India's inaugural PSA Squash Copper event, boasting a prize pool of USD 53,500. Scheduled to start on March 24, the finals will take place on March 28 at the Bombay Gymkhana. The matches will commence on indoor courts, with the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals being held on a spectacular full-glass outdoor court, providing fans with an exceptional viewing experience, according to a PSA press release.

The Indian Open holds added importance for the sports community in India, as it revives a major squash tournament after a seven-year break. Notably, squash is set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

The announcement of this prestigious tournament was made in the presence of notable figures such as Manisha Malhotra, President of the Inspire Institute of Sports, Divyanshu Singh, COO of Sports, and top players Ramit Tandon (India's No. 1 in Men's Squash) and Anahat Singh (India's No. 3 in Women's Squash).

Participants will include leading Indian squash athletes like Ramit Tandon, Velavan Senthilkumar, Veer Chotrani, Anahat Singh, and Akanksha Salunkhe, alongside talented international competitors from countries such as France, Spain, Holland, Egypt, Canada, England, the USA, Malaysia, and Japan. Each draw will feature 24 players, with Ramit Tandon and Akanksha Salunkhe as the top seeds. Additionally, Suraj Kumar Chand and Anjali Semwal will enter the tournament as Wild Card entries.

Manisha Malhotra expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "We are thrilled to bring high-level squash back to India. It is essential for sports like squash to see a resurgence in state and national circuits. Events like this will help promote and support our players, allowing them to gain experience in larger competitions. From an Indian perspective, squash is a sport we can excel in, making this a valuable opportunity for us."

Divyanshu Singh emphasized the importance of developing a sports ecosystem in India, which is currently dominated by cricket. He noted, "Our goal is to change that narrative and promote other Indian sports. With six Indian squash players ranked in the top 100, we have already achieved a remarkable feat. There is optimism that these athletes will shine as we approach the LA2028 Olympics, and we are committed to supporting them."

Ramit Tandon shared his thoughts on the tournament, saying, "Playing at home is always a pleasure. In India, we often lack opportunities to compete on our own turf, so I am grateful to JSW and everyone involved in making this happen. With the Olympics approaching, our PSA rankings will be crucial, and having a home-court advantage is something we rarely experience at the highest level. This event is the largest squash tournament ever hosted in India, and it’s vital to attract more attention to the sport. I am excited about the increase in sports events within the country."

Anahat Singh added, "This tournament is significant for me, and playing in India against many international players will be a fantastic experience. It’s crucial for my ranking, and competing at home is much better than traveling abroad constantly."