Interview with squash player Abhay Singh: ‘I don’t get paid regularly, except where I medal for my country. So why would anyone want to do this?’ | Sport-others News

Abhay Singh still fondly remembers the men’s squash team’s gold medal match against Pakan at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year. He came through in the decider for what he described as the highest of highs as India overcame Pakan in a spicy, often fey clash. But the days that followed weren’t easy. The bronze in mixed doubles with teenage prodigy Anahat Singh felt like a gold lost. And post Games, his body and mind went through a lull. The whirlwind of emotions, the intensity of playing 10 matches in 13 days and often having painful nights with physio, took its toll.But working with a new team, and changing a few things around in his daily routine, Abhay claimed his second National title this month in Mumbai. Now, with Paris in the rearview mirror and Los Angeles looming ahead, squash comes into the spotlight. After numerous misses in the past, squash finally got the Olympic nod as the sport will make its debut at LA 2028.
In an interview with The Indian Express, the 26-year-old from Chennai let out a wry chuckle as he said “You guys only think about us when the Asian games come through, otherwise only a handful of people care about squash in India.” That could well be about to change as it becomes part of the Olympic cycle. But for Abhay, it is about remaining focussed on getting past crucial short-term milestones first – getting into the top 50, winning an Asian individual title, and getting more consent on the PSA World Tour – before LA enters the radar.
Excerpts from the interview:
Post Paris, has Los Angeles already become part of your planning?
Abhay Singh: Maybe a few years ago, I used to plan very long term, but now I am a periodic planner. The PSA events go on and we have to qualify for the Olympics via world ranking presumably, so just taking that event event. But the main focus right now is planning on doing well at the Asian games first. I have had success at the Asian level in doubles, but yet to win an individual gold medal, so that’s going to be my priority.
You said after your national title in Mumbai that you have started working with a new team.
Abhay Singh: I went through a big physical and mental lapse after the Asian games. I picked up a few injuries during the Games, it was one of the most brutal outings for me, I played 13 matches in 10 days. Squash takes a huge toll on your body. While you are in that moment and you are going day after day and you are chasing a medal, you kind of numb all those things out. There was a lot of physio work and a lot of painkillers involved, quite a few painful nights of sleep. Having just come out of that I had to len to my body and mind a bit better. So I reached out to a few new people, I started working with a new trainer very closely in Chennai which honestly changed my life around. Two new physios, a new mental coach, new nutrition, like it’s just been a whole revamp… and I am in a very good place now.
What does your training routine look like now?
Abhay Singh: I have two training bases, essentially, my squash coaches are in England. I have also started working with Harry (Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu) a little bit in Chennai whenever I am here. My fitness trainer is in Chennai, and there is physio Dimple who I believe is a god-send. My body has developed quite a bit since the Asian Games. In England, I get on the court with James Willstrop, a former world number one, so he coaches me a bit and there is another coach David Campion who also gets on the court with me. With James and Harry, I keep pestering them with questions as much as I can, trying to pick their brain.
You have played a fair bit with Anahat Singh. And we now also have a junior World Championships bronze medall in Shaurya Bawa. Things looking bright for Indian squash’s future?
Abhay Singh: Between 18 and 22, a squash player needs to get the right support. I had zero support in that period. I had to do it all myself. If someone like Anahat doesn’t get the right backing at that age, other players in the world maybe not as talented as her would go past her. Squash is pocket-heavy, it takes a huge monetary investment to make a star player from India simply because there are not enough good squash players around you. That is why I spend most of my time in England now, where I wake up, go to training and I have 6 players ranked top 50 in the world just training there on a day-to-day basis and that’s what helps you improve.
What are some learnings from your personal experience in that regard?
Abhay Singh: I am potentially the best squash player in India as of today and I don’t get paid regularly, except for my performances at events where I win a medal for my country. So why would anyone want to do this in their sane mind? I never shy away from the fact that I come from a family that has been fortunate enough to support me financially but some kids can’t, and that really needs to change. If my dad didn’t have the money to fund all of this I wouldn’t be sitting in front of you today.
Maybe the fact that I didn’t get that support pushed me harder to prove myself. But that needn’t be the case. Shaurya has also shown he’s got what it takes mentally to do well at the highest level, he came back from a matchball down in the quarterfinals at the Worlds. That’s the kind of talent that needs to be backed. There are even kids who are 12-13 right now at the squash academy in Chennai who can go much further than probably I have if given the right backing.
People keep saying we don’t have the next Sourav (Ghosal), we have a lot of guys who can potentially be that good but are they being given the right infrastructure and the right guidance to fulfill their potential?

Short-term goals on the tour going forward?
Abhay Singh: I think top 50 in the world ranking is the first goal still, I think some good performances on the PSA world tour should get me there. I am still new to consently playing at this level, I have only had two proper seasons. A few matches last year didn’t go my way, that could have changed my rankings, but I am still learning. I know my game is there, now it is just about putting it together consently. I am very happy with the team I have around me right now, I am very fortunate to be working with people that I want to work with. I am really looking forward to a massive season, I don’t think I have been this motivated in a while to really go out there and you know put some good results in. So hopefully the body and mind sync when the events come through.