World’s best set for 2023 Singapore Squash Open

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Following the immense success of the Singapore Squash Open last year, the premium squash tournament will be back this year at the Singapore Sports Hub, OCBC Arena Hall 1, from 14th to 19th November.

The VITAGEN Singapore Squash Open 2023 (SSO) will see 24 of the world’s elite men’s and women’s squash athletes compete for a combined prize money of US$220,000. The world’s top two men’s players, Ali Farag and Diego Elias, as well as women’s world number four Joelle King, have registered for the PSA World Tour Gold event.

Men’s world number one Farag said:

“I’m super excited to be coming to Singapore this year. I was bummed to miss out last year due to injury, and I can’t wait, as I have heard great things from my wife (Nour El Tayeb, 2022 Runner-up) and all the players who participated last year.

“I’m looking forward to coming to Singapore for the first time and to play in front of the great Asian crowd.”

Last year’s event also attracted a stellar field, with England’s Mohamed El Shorbagy and New Zealander Joelle King emerging as the men’s and women’s champions. Both are set to defend their titles in Singapore.

The men’s entry list features eight of the world’s top ten players – Farag, Elias, ElShorbagy plus Mostafa Asal, Paul Coll, Marwan ElShorbagy, Mazen Hesham and Joel Makin. King and El Tayeb are joined by fellow women’s top ten players Gina Kennedy plus Nele and Tinne Gilis.

Mr Patrick Thio, President of the Singapore Squash Rackets Association (Singapore Squash), said:

“We are delighted to welcome back the world’s best squash players to Singapore.

“Watching our local talents compete against top-ranked players is a boost to the local squash community, and we hope that the excitement on and off the court will inspire our budding young squash athletes to continue their pursuit of sporting excellence.”

Veteran Marcus Phua, 34, part of the four-man squad for the ongoing 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, will be one of the Republic’s wild card entries for the SSO. The other wild card will go to Au Yeong Wai Yhann, 24, a Sport Singapore’s Sport Excellence (SPEX) scholar.