PremiumEnd of an era! - Fans react as Saurav Ghosal calls time on professional squash career, vows to serve India
The 37-year-old athlete was the only Indian to enter the top 10 of the Professional Squash Association world rankings and held the spot for six months.
Last Updated: 06.13 PM, Apr 23, 2024
Surely, fans are filled with emotions as the man who represents the sport of squash in India - Saurav Ghosal - has announced his retirement from the professional game. The two-time Asian Games gold medalist, in a lengthy statement posted on social media, stated that he is stepping away from the professional tour but would like to continue playing for India.
The 37-year-old athlete was the only Indian to enter the top 10 of the Professional Squash Association world rankings, rising to world No. 10 in April 2019 and holding the spot for six months. Witnessing the retirement of this remarkable player from professional squash saw fans flooding Twitter to praise and express how it marks the end of an era.
In his post, he wrote, "As I travelled across the world, playing on some of the biggest stages our wonderful sport offered, I thought it would never come to an end. But, there’s always an endpoint. 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."
The seasoned player clinched 10 PSA titles, with his most recent win coming at the Malaysian Open Squash Championships in November 2021. In total, Ghosal has reached 18 finals and emerged victorious in 281 out of 511 matches on the PSA tour. Not just that, he also boasts an impressive record of 13 Indian Nationals title victories, with the latest secured in 2020. During the 2014 and 2022 Asian Games, Ghosal played a pivotal role in the Indian teams' gold medal victories while also securing the men's singles silver at both events.
With squash set to debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Ghosal looks poised to finally accomplish his long-standing ambition of competing on the big stage. While he will be 41 by then, if he opts for doubles and achieves notable results at the 2026 Asian and Commonwealth Games, he stands a strong chance of participating in the pinnacle of sporting events.