Abhay Singh: 2022 Year In Review

As we come to the end of 2022, we have taken the time to speak to some of the Tour’s stars of the year, and first up is India’s Abhay Singh.

Singh was one of the Challenger Tour’s leading lights in 2022, as he claimed five titles and shot up into the world’s top 100 for the first time.

His maiden Tour victory came in France in the early part of the year, and he has not looked back, going on to take titles in Australia, Malaysia and in his home nation of India.

The 24-year-old has risen more than 70 places in the World Rankings, and now sits inside the world’s top 75 ahead of the end of the year. He also claimed the Indian National Championship for the first time in December.

Abhay Singh

World Ranking – January: World No.144
World Ranking – December: World No.74 (best of World No.72 in November)

Titles Won: 5
– Archi Factory Open Lorient (Challenger 5 level)
– Tuanku Muhriz Trophy (10)
– Alto Group Pennant Hills NSW Squash Open (3)
– 4th HCL SRFI Indian Tour – Chennai Leg (10)
– 4th HCL SRFI Indian Tour – Jodhpur Leg (10)

Indian National Champion (2022)

Take a look at what Singh had to say about his year here.

“I did expect to do well this year because I trained quite hard at the start of the year. But to sit here in December and have five titles and have won the Asian Championships with India is not something I would have probably guessed.

“I’d like to be more successful with maybe bigger titles in a few years to come, you know, I mean, winning Challenger 10s is tough as it is and even the two wins that I had in the Challenger 5s and the Challenger 3 were quite tough finals, so just really happy with all the performances.

“But you know, it’s time to push up the rankings now. So not a lot of people know this, but 12 months ago I was, I actually went to two tournaments in Doha and tow in Scotland in December last year, and I had a conversation with my parents that that would be my last four tournaments.

“So I was actually going to stop playing squash at the end of December last year. So a little story, I got selected for the Commonwealth Games in April and then Lorient was sort of, you know, a preparatory tournament for that.

“And then I won it. I was seeded to play the first seed in the second round and I scabbed them 3-0 so after that, you know, I was quite confident that I would go on and win the event and having lost four finals before that in a row, that felt pretty good.

“So it’s been nice because I’ve beaten, actually in two of the finals, I beat the same player, but like that’s in France and Australia, they were pretty similar draws. The one in Malaysia was quite big because I did beat the Malaysia No.2 and No.3 on the way to the title. So to just see that I can do it, I mean it’s different players in different cities, you know, and under different conditions was very, you know, gave me a lot of confidence after that win that I can go on and maybe win more titles no matter where they are against whoever they might be.

On the support from the Indian fans…

“This year I felt so much love from the Indian, you know, just the Indian squash community. I think I was not very known or noticed until, you know, maybe the start of the year and until the Commonwealth Games. But post the Commonwealth Games, you know, I’ve had so much support. My Instagram messages always flooded by, juniors and parents and Chennai is my home court. 

“The glass court in Chennai is the one I’ve grown up playing on for the last 15, 16 years, but I think Jodhpur was the best of them all. Like just the support that came out of the, in the glass court and the way the tournament was put up was just, it was almost sort of like a Platinum event really.

“So in Chennai and you know, maybe the other few tournaments, I had some pressure on me because I knew I was, stepping on court, I was maybe the better player or higher ranked, but I didn’t have that with Zahed [Salem] because of the reputation that he holds and the results that he’s had, even against Indian players.

“But I think having watched his final with Vela [Senthilkumar], who is my doubles partner, and analysing what I could do and what maybe would go up to my strengths and obviously a huge push from the Indian crown being in India. I think that played a huge role in me being able to beat him that night.

On the Commonwealth Games…

“Yeah, firstly, I mean, I guess the Commonwealth Games is a dream come true. I think any athlete who’s a squash player is always looking to go to the Commonwealth Games, you know, to play for their country. 

“And it was a big moment for me and my family. It was my first sort of like team event with the big boys, like you might call them, like Saurav [Ghosal], and Ramit [Tandon]. And then in the girls, Joshna [Chinappa] and Dipika [Pallikal Karthik]

you know. Being around them, seeing how they prepared for matches or what they do during events, you know, bonding with them and spending time with all of them.

“Obviously watching Saurav win a historic medal [Bronze in the Men’s Singles] and him again winning a medal in the doubles. Just the way he was taking care of his body through the ten days. [There was] so much that I could pick up, the little things that maybe I could never have got just by speaking to them. So that was huge.

“Personally, I think the singles didn’t go the way I wanted it to, but I think we put up a really good show in the doubles. Me and my partner [Velavan Senthilkumar], we were one of, if not the youngest team, in the top eight, something really that we can look forward to in the future and something to build on. That win against Scotland was one of the best nights of squash that I’ve ever lived, so it was great.

“So we [Senthilkumar] were like partners and then we go against each other a lot, you know, in singles. So it’s like a good contrast. But then first we have the World Doubles in 2024. I feel like that will be a good platform to see if we’ve developed a better relationship or we’re playing better, or have we improved as a doubles team.

“I mean, eventually the goal is to bag a medal at the Commonwealth Games. So I think we’re really looking forward to it right now. We are preparing for the Asian Games next year and that’s a singles event and a team event. But I think once that’s out of the way then all focus will be on the World Doubles Championships.

On being part of the Indian team who were victorious at the Asian Team Championships…

“Making history to be the first Indian team is obviously, you know, I mean, who would have thought, like even 12 months ago that I’d be saying I’m an Asian Team Champion or a Gold Medalist like we call it.

“I think the semi-finals I lost 11-9 in the fifth in the opener. And that was such a hit to me, just to sit there and, you know, all the pain and the suspense of watching Saurav go to five in the next match of the semis against Yow [Ng]. I mean, sort of showed, you know, why he is who he is by winning that match 11-9 in the fifth.

“Then [it was] a fairly easy battle in the final with Kuwait but I mean, you know we’re going to take that week as one of the best weeks. It’s Saurav’s first win, with him having played the event so many times, Ramit and Vela went to the event last year and unfortunately settled for a silver. So like I said, you know, I was probably the lucky charm because it was my first time.

On reaching the top 100 in the World Rankings…

“I think the first goal for the year was top hundred. World No.72, wasn’t really something I thought I’d get to, but I think three Challenger 10s, those three wins really helped that I think it just comes down to the credit of, I’ve started working with Paul Bell in Scotland. 

“He’s really helped me tweak things in my game [and to] take it to the next level. He’s one of those coaches who’s always understood my body. It’s a little different to other athletes with the way with the amount of load I put on my body and the way I recover from tournaments.

“I think he’s the first one who’s been very open to, you know, me deciding things and him helping in that way. And I think that’s what has been the key to my rise up. He’s implemented sessions with my coaches that I work with in India. He gives me ideas that I can take and bring back home. I’ve been putting them to work and that’s what’s the reason for my rise.

On the Indian National Championships (which he won last week) and how the next few months looks…

“So I have Nationals, the Indian Nationals starting the day after tomorrow so I’m currently preparing for that. And then there’s another Challenger 10 a week later in India that ends the year. I’ve sort of not looked at it as the season, I’ve looked at it as a year because I didn’t really start.

“I started my first tournament in May, which is, you would say the end of last season. But I’ve looked at it as a 2022, more than a 22-23 season. So these two events to end the year.

“By the next season, which would be next September, yes, I actually want to be doing the Platinum events. If I can get a few good wins in the first two months of next year, I think I might be able to make the main draw of the World Championships. So that’s the goal.

“I think making the main draw of the World Champs is the first real goal. I think that would be 58 players, so maybe a few big wins in February. But I think there’s an event in Washington and Calgary, which are two Bronze events so hopefully if I put on a show there and I can rise up.”

Watch the full interview with Abhay on the Challenger Tour YouTube channel here ⬇️