Overview
The 2019 squash season encompassed the PSA World Tour, PSA World Tour Finals, and the annual World Championships for both men and women. Egyptian players continued to dominate the sport, occupying the top positions in the PSA world rankings and capturing the majority of major titles. The season also featured continued expansion of professional events into new venues and markets, particularly in North America and Asia.
Major Individual Championships
| Event | Dates | Location | Men's Champion | Women's Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA Men's World Championship | 23 Feb – 2 Mar | Chicago, United States | Ali Farag (Egypt) defeated Mohamed El Shorbagy (Egypt) | — |
| PSA Women's World Championship | 24 Feb – 2 Mar | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | — | Nour El Sherbini (Egypt) defeated Camille Serme (France) |
| British Open (Men) | 20 Oct – 27 Oct | Hull, United Kingdom | Mohamed El Shorbagy (Egypt) defeated Simon Rösner (Germany) | — |
| British Open (Women) | 20 Oct – 27 Oct | Hull, United Kingdom | — | Nour El Sherbini (Egypt) defeated Camille Serme (France) |
| PSA World Tour Finals (Men) | 20 Jun – 23 Jun | Chicago, United States | Mohamed El Shorbagy (Egypt) defeated Ali Farag (Egypt) | — |
| PSA World Tour Finals (Women) | 20 Jun – 23 Jun | Chicago, United States | — | Nour El Sherbini (Egypt) defeated Raneem El Weleily (Egypt) |
Key PSA World Tour Events
Throughout 2019, the PSA World Tour featured events categorized as Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze, held across five continents. Notable titles included:
- US Open (Men’s & Women’s) – Philadelphia, USA (October): Ali Farag and Nour El Sherbini retained their titles.
- Hong Kong Open (Men’s & Women’s) – Hong Kong (November): Mohamed El Shorbagy won the men’s title; Raneem El Weleily captured the women’s crown.
- Qatar Classic (Men’s) – Doha, Qatar (December): Ali Farag secured the title.
- Egyptian Open (Men’s & Women’s) – Cairo, Egypt (June): Both men’s and women’s titles were claimed by Egyptian players (Men: Mohamed El Shorbagy; Women: Raneem El Weleily).
World Rankings (Year‑End 2019)
Men’s PSA World Rankings
- Mohamed El Shorbagy (Egypt)
- Ali Farag (Egypt)
- Paul Collins (England)
Women’s PSA World Rankings
- Nour El Sherbini (Egypt)
- Raneem El Weleily (Egypt)
- Camille Serme (France)
Team Competitions
No senior World Team Championships were held in 2019; the next edition was scheduled for 2020. However, several regional team events took place, including the Asian Squash Team Championships (held in Kuala Lumpur) and the Pan American Squash Championships (held in Bogotá), where Egypt’s regional rivals (e.g., Malaysia, Hong Kong) continued to vie for podium positions.
Notable Developments
- Growth of North American Venues – The 2019 PSA World Championships in Chicago marked the first time the men’s world title was contested in the United States, reflecting ongoing PSA efforts to broaden the sport’s market.
- Broadcast and Digital Expansion – The PSA continued its partnership with SquashTV and introduced live streaming of lower‑tier events, increasing global accessibility.
- Rule and Equipment Standards – No major rule changes were introduced in 2019; the sport continued to use the “PARCO” (Professional Squash Association Courts) specifications for glass courts in major venues.
Conclusion
The 2019 squash calendar reinforced Egypt’s pre‑eminence in both the men’s and women’s games, with Egyptian athletes winning the majority of premier titles and occupying the top three world‑ranking spots in each gender. The season also demonstrated the sport’s geographic diversification, highlighted by high‑profile tournaments in North America and continued expansion of digital coverage.
