All new Abhay Singh loses final but ‘enjoying the best phase’ of pro career | Sport-others News

After winning his semifinal of the Indian Open, Indian squash star Abhay Singh raised his fs in celebration and let out a victory cry. It was very unlike him to celebrate so fervently, but after a rather whirlwind year of transformation, it was more “relief than anything”. After winning gold (men’s team) and bronze (mixed doubles) at the Hangzhou Asian Games, Singh was happy but not content.Just months before winning those medals, Singh had wrestled with doubt. Was elite squash still his path? Did he have what it took to push further? The medals answered one question, but they sparked another: If he was going to continue, why not go all in?
Determined to elevate his game, Singh made a radical move — he revamped his entire support team. In came a fresh, high-performance approach.
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“I’ve hired a whole new team,” he says, his voice carrying the confidence of somebody who knows he’s made the right choice. “New squash coaches, new trainers, new physios — everything. I’m working with James Willstrop and David Campion in England, both of whom bring immense experience. And back home, I have Harinder Sandhu in my corner—someone who’s been a pillar of Indian squash.”
Abhay Singh in action. (JSW Indian Open)
The results have been there to see. Fresh off winning the National Championships last August, Singh is now playing the best squash of his career, and more importantly, he’s secured a spot at the World Championships in Chicago this May.
He did superbly to reach the final of the JSW Indian Open but lost the title clash 1-3 (10-12, 4-11, 11-7, 10-12) to Egyptian Kareem El Torkey in what was a closely contested encounter at the Bombay Gymkhana on Friday.
Even though he lost the “biggest match of his career so far”, Singh said having reached the final, he will now make it into the top-50 in World rankings for the first time in his career. There’s no denying that he’s enjoying his best phase, both physically and mentally.Story continues below this ad
The transformation isn’t just about having big names in his camp, though. It’s also about pushing himself to new extremes.
“The training is brutal,” he admits. “Sessions are harder, longer, and they just get tougher as the week progresses, exactly how it works in tournaments. If I can survive this grind from Monday to Friday, I can definitely handle a match night.”
But it’s not just about working harder—it’s about working smarter. At 26, Singh knows his body isn’t the same as it was at 21. Injury prevention and recovery have become just as important as fitness and endurance.
“Squash takes a lot out of you,” he says. “I have a great physio who’s been with me for 10 years, but now I’ve also added new perspectives. It’s a mix of fresh ideas and people who’ve seen me grow up, and that balance is really helping.”Story continues below this ad
Physical transformation aside, Singh knew there was another battle he needed to win—the one in his own mind.
“My emotions used to get the better of me in tight matches,” he admits. “But my coaches understand my personality. Some days, I need to be fired up; some days, I need to be calm. They’re giving me the space to be myself, and that’s making a huge difference.”
Eyes on big scalps
With his World Championship spot locked in, Singh isn’t just looking to participate—he’s looking to make a statement.
“I get to compete on squash’s biggest stage,” he says, excitedly. “But to be honest, I don’t think I’ve scalped big yet. Often, I wake up on matchdays knowing I’m the better player. I want to win matches where I’m the underdog.”Story continues below this ad
With the Olympics set to debut squash in LA 2028, Singh knows the long game is just beginning. But first, he has another major test—the next Asian Games.
“We have more than four great players in India now, but only four can go. Nothing is guaranteed. That competition is what’s keeping us all sharp.”
From questioning his future in squash to engineering a complete personal reinvention, Singh seems to have emerged stronger, sharper, and hungrier than ever. And yet somehow, it seems like he’s just getting started.
Anahat Singh in action. (JSW Indian open)
Anahat wins women’s title
India’s 17-year-old prodigy Anahat Singh won the biggest PSA tournament of her career, winning the women’s singles of the Indian Open, beating Hong Kong’s Helen Tan 3-0 (11-9, 11-5, 11-8).Story continues below this ad
The win will boost her rankings that will give her entry into bigger tournaments as she makes a transition to the senior circuit.More than the win, Anahat was excited about her impending holiday to Italy next week.
“My mother told me I’d better win this tournament so I can enjoy my holiday. I’m extremely excited for it,” she said, adding that she’s going to explore Tuscany extensively.