At just 17 years old, Anahat Singh stands poised to reshape Indian squash. With a meteoric rise from promising junior to India’s highest-ranked female player at 33rd globally, her journey is a testament to talent, discipline, and relentless determination.
Early Years: Foundations of a Champion
Born on March 13, 2008, in New Delhi, Anahat’s initial sporting pursuits were in badminton. However, at eight, she found her true calling in squash. Early success quickly followed. “Switching to squash was the best decision I made,” Anahat reflected in a recent interview. “The challenges, the pace, the mental toughness required — it all attracted me.”
Watch Anahat Singh emerged winner in the U-15 category of the British Junior Open Squash, beating Sohaila Hazem of Egypt in the final.
By 2019, she captured the Under-11 British Junior Open title, the start of a string of prestigious victories. Over the next few years, she dominated junior tournaments in Europe and Asia — the British Junior Open in multiple age categories, Asian Junior Championships in U15, U17, and U19, and trophies from European, Dutch, Scottish, and US Junior Opens. Her crown jewel was a bronze medal at the 2025 World Junior Championships, ending India’s 15-year medal drought at this level.
Senior Level Breakthroughs
Anahat burst onto the senior scene as India’s youngest athlete at the 2022 Commonwealth Games at age 14. Winning her opening match in straight games, she announced her arrival on a grand stage. The following Asian Games (2022, held in 2023) saw her clinch two bronze medals—one in mixed doubles alongside Abhay Singh and another in the women’s team event.
Abhay Singh praises her composure: “Playing with Anahat is inspiring. Despite her youth, she remains calm, focused, and fiercely competitive.”
A pivotal moment came in 2023 when she became one of India’s youngest Senior National Champions. Her coach, Anil Kumar, highlights her rise: “Anahat’s work ethic and mental toughness separate her. She’s not just talented; she’s a student of the game, always eager to learn and improve.”
PSA Tour Ascent and Global Recognition
The 2024 season marked Anahat’s dominance on the PSA World Tour, with nine Challenger-level titles in India alone. Her rapid rise earned her PSA awards for Women’s Young Player and Challenger Player of the Season in 2025. She climbed the world rankings swiftly, breaking into the top 40 and reaching 33rd by late 2025 — the highest for any Indian woman.
Joshna Chinappa, a seasoned Indian squash legend, has praised Anahat’s progress: “Her fearless style and maturity on court are exceptional. She has the hunger and skill to challenge top players worldwide.”
Playing Style and Professional Mindset
Anahat combines speed, tactical awareness, and composure. Her coach notes: “She adapts mid-game, fixing weaknesses and controlling the tempo.” Always disciplined, she avoids distractions and focuses intensely on training. Reflecting on her mindset, Anahat shared, “Staying calm, learning from every match—loss or win—is what helps me grow.”
Timeline of Milestones
- 2019: Won Under-11 British Junior Open
- 2021: Multiple junior titles including U15 Asian Junior Champion
- 2022: Youngest Indian at Commonwealth Games; won opening match
- 2023: Won Senior National Championship; Asian Games double bronze
- 2024: Won nine PSA Challenger titles; began rising sharply in world rankings
- 2025: Bronze medal at World Junior Championships; PSA Women’s Young Player and Challenger Player of Season awards; ranked 33rd globally
Future Outlook
With squash returning to the Olympics in 2028, Anahat’s focus and form position her as one of India’s top Olympic hopefuls. “My goal is simple,” she says, “to keep improving, compete at the highest level and represent India with pride.”
Peers and coaches commend her humility and dedication. “Anahat is serious about her craft, but she’s also grounded,” says fellow teammate Dipika Pallikal. “Her journey is inspiring for the next generation.”
Conclusion
Anahat Singh’s ascent is driven by a blend of raw talent, grit, and a rare maturity. As she continues maturing on the international stage, she symbolizes a promising new chapter for Indian squash—one defined by resilience, excellence, and global ambition.