Squash Elite Compete For US$249,000 Prize Pool At China Open

The first round of matches for the 2025 Squash China Open began on Tuesday at the Shanghai Diamond Squash Center in Changning District.

The China Open, which was promoted from last year's silver event to this year's gold event in the ratings system, has drawn 48 international players from 15 countries and regions, including four of the world's top eight male players and four of the top female players.

Star players like Paul Coll, Mohamed Elshorbagy, Hania El Hammamy, and Amina Orfi will compete for a total prize money of US$249,000, up from last year's US$142,500 in prize money.

The first two days of the competition will be held at Shanghai Diamond Squash Center, with the Xianxia Tennis Center hosting the matches from November 13 to 16.

"We're very happy to come back to China after last year's success," said Carlos Cornes, a representative of the Professional Squash Association.

"Getting sport to the fans always helps (to promote the sport). To get more young people in China to come and see high-level competitions that feature world No. 1 and No. 2 players will definitely be an exciting experience for them," he said.

Squash is a niche sport, yet the intensity and demands on participants' agility, focus, mental acuity, and physical strength are extensive and tough.

According to Dai Huixin, a national-level squash referee, Shanghai is one of China's leading cities for squash development.

"According to unofficial statistics, there are approximately seven to eight youth squash clubs and around 150 squash courts in Shanghai," Dai said.

"Although about half of these courts are currently owned by private clubs and are semi-public, as participation in the sport grows, more venues are expected to gradually open to the public," he said.