Indian squash player Saurav Ghosal announced his retirement from professional squash on Monday. During his career, Ghosal won 12 Professional Squash Association (PSA) titles and multiple medals at the Commonwealth Games (CWG) and Asian Games.
“I started my journey on the PSA World Tour 22 years ago. At the time, I never thought in my wildest dreams, I would play professional squash for so long,” Ghosal said while announcing his retirement.
“I am overwhelmed with emotions as I write this message. This sport has been my passion, my livelihood, and my identity for so many years. So, with a heart filled with pride and a tinge of sadness, I announce my retirement from the PSA,” he continued.
The 37-year-old was also a former top 10 athlete in world squash rankings, reaching the level in April 2019 and staying there for six months. He is also the only Indian man to enter the top 10 in the World rankings.
The nine-time Asian Games medallist played a significant role in leading India to gold medals in the teams event at 2014 and 2022 editions of the Asian Games.
The PSA World Tour is a professional circuit for squash players, similar to the ATP and WTA in tennis and BWF in badminton.
Ghosal’s final PSA title win was Malaysian Open Squash Championships back in November 2021, where he beat Colombia’s Miguel Rodriguez. His final PSA Tour appearance was back in the 2024 Windy City Open where he lost to USA’s Timothy Brownell in the round of 64.
Ghosal has to his name 13 national titles, and three CWG medals. He also became the first Indian male player to secure a CWG squash medal in a singles competition at the same event.
He has also won the World Doubles Championships gold medal after partnering compatriot Dipika Pallikal Karthik in the mixed event at the 2022 Glasgow competition.
Ghosal, however, wants to continue playing for India. “Finally, I hope this is not me saying goodbye altogether from competitive squash. I would like to play for India a little while longer. Hopefully, there is some fight left in me and I can achieve a bit more for my country,” wrote Ghosal.
(With ANI inputs)
