2025 will be remembered as one of the most significant years in modern squash. From historic team triumphs and dominant individual performances to the continued rise of new stars, the sport enjoyed a year that underlined both its depth and its global growth — all while building momentum towards its Olympic debut in 2028.
Dominance at the Top: World Championships & Major Opens
The PSA World Championships in Chicago delivered drama and quality in equal measure. On the men’s side, Mostafa Asal claimed his first World Championship title, overcoming long-time rival Ali Farag in a final that symbolised a generational shift at the top of the men’s game. In the women’s event, Nour El Sherbini further cemented her legendary status by securing an astonishing eighth world title, once again proving her ability to peak on the sport’s biggest stage.
The British Open, held across Birmingham and Solihull, also provided standout moments. Diego Elías lifted the men’s trophy with a composed victory over Asal, while Nouran Gohar edged El Sherbini in a gripping women’s final to claim her third British Open crown. The rivalry between Egypt’s leading women continues to define the era.
At the U.S. Open in Philadelphia, Egyptian dominance was again on full display. Hania El Hammamy captured her first U.S. Open title, while Asal added another major trophy to his growing collection, confirming his status as one of the sport’s most formidable forces.
A Historic Breakthrough: India’s World Cup Triumph
Perhaps the most significant story of the year came in the team game. India won the Squash World Cup for the first time in history, becoming the first Asian nation to lift the trophy. Their emphatic final victory over Hong Kong marked a watershed moment for squash’s global landscape.
Blending experience and youth, the Indian side showcased the country’s rapidly improving depth, with veterans and emerging talents alike delivering under pressure. The win was widely celebrated as a sign that squash’s traditional power base is broadening.
World Games Success and European Strength
At the World Games in Chengdu, squash once again proved its credentials on a major multi-sport stage. Satomi Watanabe and Victor Crouin claimed the singles titles, reinforcing the sport’s strong international spread beyond its traditional strongholds.
Meanwhile, England continued to assert its pedigree at the European Team Championships, with both the men’s and women’s teams securing gold — a reminder of the nation’s enduring strength in depth.
Rising Stars and Junior Excellence
The future of squash looked exceptionally bright in 2025. At the World Junior Championships, Egypt’s production line showed no signs of slowing as Mohamed Zakaria and Amina Orfi claimed the titles. Orfi made history by becoming the first player to win four World Junior Championships, an achievement that places her firmly among the most exciting prospects the sport has ever seen.
India’s Anahat Singh also enjoyed a breakthrough year, combining junior success with eye-catching results on the senior PSA Tour, including a landmark win over a top-10 opponent at the Canadian Women’s Open.
Shocks, Upsets and Growing Depth
2025 also delivered its share of unforgettable upsets. One of the most talked-about results saw world No. 252 Adam Hawal stun Paul Coll, underlining the increasing depth and unpredictability of the professional game.
Across the calendar, strong showings at regional events, national opens and masters tournaments highlighted squash’s thriving competitive ecosystem at all levels.
Technology, Presentation and Growing Audiences
Beyond results, 2025 also saw continued improvements in presentation and accessibility.
Enhanced broadcasts, smarter use of data and analytics, and increased social media visibility helped bring squash closer to fans. Glass court events in iconic locations once again demonstrated the sport’s visual appeal, particularly to new audiences discovering squash for the first time.
Squash in the DRC remains an exciting prospect
On a personal note, 2025 saw the continued rise of the BKS Club, our partners in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with their local tournament.
From the tournament, the key talking points were a call for more women to take up Squash, which was highlighted by the epic final between two of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s most talented women’s squash players.
Outdoor Squash: countries looking to capitalise on the movement
An article by Squash Site highlighted that outdoor squash has quietly begun rewriting the sport’s geography, one country at a time. What started as an experiment in visibility and access is becoming a global movement, placing courts not behind club doors but in parks, schools and public spaces where curiosity turns into participation.
The latest chapter unfolds in Ireland, where Squash Ireland’s partnership with Squash Media & Marketing opens the door for Access Courts to fuel grassroots growth nationwide. Across the Atlantic, the United States has embraced scale and spectacle, from a debut at RacquetX in Miami to a landmark outdoor court at Union Park in Chicago, created with the Squash United Foundation. At the same time, investment continues indoors, with new courts forming the heart of a state-of-the-art Miami club. In Australia, Squash Australia has stepped in as the national representative for Access Courts, aligning outdoor innovation with the sport’s Olympic momentum towards Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032.
Further east, China has taken squash into the open air with a second outdoor court in Beijing, embedding the game into everyday urban life. New Zealand has followed with a nationwide agreement enabling clubs, schools and communities to access courts directly through its federation. Across Africa, JPSquash is leading a regional rollout, introducing modular courts into schools, gyms and public spaces in South Africa, while supporting grassroots development in Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Together, these stories form a single narrative: squash stepping outside, meeting people where they are, and growing by being seen.
Looking Ahead
As squash continues its build-up towards Los Angeles 2028, 2025 felt like a statement year — one that showcased elite quality, expanding global reach and a healthy pipeline of emerging talent. Whether through India’s historic World Cup win, Egypt’s ongoing dominance, or the rise of the next generation, the sport ended the year with genuine momentum and optimism.
News of countries looking to develop outdoor Squash provision shows that the sport is going to be greater than its racquet cousins in terms of growing participation during the summer season.
For players, fans and administrators alike, squash in 2025 delivered not just great matches but a compelling vision of where the sport is heading next.