Sixteen-year-old Anahat Singh, India’s talented squash player, entered the British Open Juniors as the top seed in the U17 category. She faced a challenging journey to secure her first title in this age group, battling through matches against three skilled Egyptian players, known for their strength in squash.
Anahat’s achievement comes 22 years after Joshna Chinappa made history by winning the British Juniors U17 title for India, marking a significant moment at the Birmingham University glass courts.
With squash set to make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028, Anahat’s recent victory—her third British Open title after previously winning in the U11 and U15 categories—signals a promising career ahead. This win is particularly special for her, as it represents a triumphant comeback after finishing as a runner-up in last year’s final.
“I’m really happy about this win. It’s my third title in the British Open, and after losing last year in three tight matches, this feels especially rewarding. I’m excited to have this victory before moving up to a higher category,” she shared with the British Open website.
While the World Juniors are the ultimate goal for players under 19, it was crucial for Anahat to enter Birmingham as the top seed and prove her ranking against a group of talented young Egyptian players.
In the final on Monday, she triumphed over Egypt’s Malika Elkaraksy with a score of 3-2 (4-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5, 11-3). Anahat showcased her determination by coming back twice from behind in the match. The Egyptian players are known for their tenacity, skill, and fearlessness on the court, regardless of rankings.
At just 16 years old, Anahat certainly didn’t want to experience another loss in the finals, especially after narrowly losing to Egypt’s Nadien Elhammamy in last year’s U17 final. She stepped up her game against Malika in the last match, setting the tone for her 2025 season.
After kicking off her campaign with a straight-games win against unseeded French player Sarah Guyot, Anahat swiftly advanced through the early rounds, defeating England’s Fearney Copley and the USA’s Reghan McLaughlin. She then faced a challenging quarter-final match against Egyptian Nadia Tamer, triumphing with a convincing 3-0 score (11-6, 11-7, 11-7). In the semi-finals, she found herself a game down but made a strong comeback to win against Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem, finishing the match 3-1 (9-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-6).
Returning to Birmingham felt especially emotional for Anahat, as it was the place where she first gained recognition as India’s youngest athlete at the last Commonwealth Games. She previously claimed the British Junior Open U11 title in 2019 and the U15 title in 2023, a year after the Commonwealth Games.
However, the loss she faced last year lingered in her mind, leading to some nerves as she approached the final, well aware of her previous struggles.
“I don’t think I played at my best, but by the fifth game, I figured out what I had to do. This year is crucial for me in the U17 category, and I love this place. I plan to return next year to try for my fourth title,” she later shared with BJO.
Anahat’s transition from badminton to squash is quite a fascinating story, as shared by PTI. Her mother, Tani Vadehra, explained that Anahat initially loved badminton, but when the family traveled for her older sister Amira’s tournaments, Anahat didn’t want to be left behind at home. This desire for companionship played a significant role in her decision to switch to squash.
Anahat was captivated by the simple pleasures of the sport. “I was attracted to it because I loved the sound of the ball hitting the wall,” she shared with olympics.com.
Winning the U17 title, much like Joshna’s achievement, marks a significant milestone in her young career. However, the U19 category presents a much tougher challenge as she prepares for the upcoming Olympics.
By the time the Los Angeles Olympics arrive in 2028, Anahat will be 20 years old. While squash players often reach their peak later in their careers—unless you’re Nicole David—Anahat is steadily checking off important milestones as she aims for the World Junior title.
Anahat has been on a winning streak in 2024, clinching nine PSA Challenger titles last year, more than any other female player. She holds the titles of both senior and junior national champion, which came as no surprise. However, breaking into the top 100 of the women’s PSA rankings for the first time—currently sitting at 82—is a significant achievement for her.
Initially, Anahat was inspired to play badminton by PV Sindhu, but she eventually followed her older sister’s lead and switched to squash. Born to athletic parents, Tani and Gursharan, who played hockey, it seems that sports run in the family, but squash started as a casual interest.
The young athlete from Delhi quickly gained recognition for her talent, earning the title of prodigy in Indian squash. Her two bronze medals at the 2023 Asian Games showcased her potential, but she knows that making a name for herself will require hard work on the PSA circuit.
While many talented squash players in India excel at the junior level, the British Open juniors have always been a tough challenge, particularly in the U17 and U19 categories. Some players choose to pursue scholarships at Ivy League universities, but often, squash takes a backseat as they navigate the NCAA system.
Amira is a member of the Harvard squash team, and Anahat, who is coached by Ritwik Bhattacharya, hopes to follow in her sister’s footsteps. However, with her recent successes on glass courts and the upcoming Los Angeles Games on the horizon, Anahat may choose to focus solely on squash in the crucial years ahead.
