‘I don’t do tattoos, but I have my own Olympic reminders’: Anahat Singh keeps LA28 in sight

New Delhi: At just 18, Anahat Singh is no longer India’s brightest squash prospect -- she is already its present. A breakthrough 2025, followed by a string of statement wins in 2026, has propelled her into the world’s top 20 and firmly into the conversation as a potential Olympic medal contender. In this exclusive interview to TOI, the Delhi girl speaks about her rapid rise, evolving mindset, studying on flights and the road to Los Angeles 2028, where squash will finally make its Olympic debut. Excerpts...




Q. It’s been a standout 2025 and a strong start to 2026. How do you assess your season so far?

A. It’s been very good so far, but there’s still half the season left. I’ve had some big wins in major tournaments and I’m happy with my progress. The focus now is to keep improving, go deeper in big events, and maintain this level consistently.

Q. From junior success to becoming India No. 1, what has clicked for you?

A. The biggest shift was adapting to the senior level. Early on, I could compete in one match but struggled to sustain that level through a tournament. Now, I’m better at handling consecutive tough matches. Training intensity, understanding the pace and building consistency have made the difference.

Q. You’re now working with former world No. 1 Gregory Gaultier. What impact has he had?

A. It’s been amazing. He’s been world No. 1 and understands every aspect of the journey. He knows what it takes to climb the rankings and handles both technical and mental aspects. We’ve been working together for long now, spending more time in Prague (where Gregory is based) and at tournaments, and that understanding is really helping my game.

Q. You recently beat world No. 10 Georgina Kennedy. What worked tactically?

A. Honestly, by the final I was exhausted. My coach (Greg) told me to just fight for every point and play freely. I had lost to her 3-0 in Canada a couple of months back, so I reviewed that match to avoid repeating mistakes. It wasn’t overly tactical, more about execution and mindset.

Q. Has there been a turning point in your career where you felt ready for big wins?

A. The Canadian Open last year. I beat a top-20 player and then a top-10 player in the same tournament. That gave me belief that I could not just compete, but win against top players in big tournaments.

Q. How do you handle pressure during matches against top players?

A. I actually feel less pressure against top players. There’s no expectation to win, so I play freely. That helps me perform better compared to matches where I’m expected to win.

Q. What technical tweaks have you made while transitioning to the senior level?

A. It’s been more about fitness than technique. Matches are longer, sometimes over an hour, so stamina is crucial. I’ve worked on endurance and consistency. Technically, I’m improving all aspects of my game so I’m not reliant on one style and can adapt when needed.

Q. You’ve broken into the top 20. How are you dealing with the spotlight?

A. It gives me a sense of belonging. I now feel comfortable training with top players and competing with them. It also guarantees entry into major tournaments, which is very important for progress.

Q. Squash is now in Olympics. As a medal prospect for LA28, how are you approaching that journey?

A. The Olympics is the big goal, but there are many steps before that. I’m taking it one tournament at a time. Qualification is tough with only 16 spots, so my priority is to improve my ranking to secure a place. Once that’s done, I can focus fully on preparing for a medal.

Q. The qualification pathway seems complex. How do you navigate it?

A. It’s quite detailed. Continental events like the Asian Games offer direct qualification, and the rest is largely ranking-based with country limits. I don’t think any player feels they have a 100% guaranteed chance because things can change at any point. I’m focusing on improving my ranking to avoid any uncertainty.

Q. Some athletes get Olympic ring tattoos for motivation. Do you plan to do something special like that?

A. I wouldn’t get a tattoo! But I keep reminders, like an LA28 poster next to my bed and on my phone wallpaper. It’s the first thing I see in the morning, and it keeps me motivated to train.

Q. Fitness seems central to your goals. How are you working on it?

A. I focus a lot on on-court work — long rallies, sprints and endurance. I’ve added some gym work recently, but stamina remains the biggest priority because of the length and intensity of matches.

Q. Tell us, who is Anahat outside of squash?

A. I enjoy spending time with friends and family, trying new restaurants, and shopping — especially when I win a match. I also love sleeping and painting whenever I get time.

Q. What was your last painting?

A. It was for a school project about my identity. I painted the streets of Delhi because that’s where I’m from.

Q. How do you deal with losses?

A. I take a day or two to process it, then move on. I discuss the match with my coaches immediately to understand what went wrong. The key is to learn quickly and focus on the next opportunity.

Q. How do you balance studies with professional squash?

A. I study as much as I can while traveling — on flights, in cars or at night. My school is very supportive, and my teachers help me manage everything despite my schedule.

Q. You’ll be missing the World Championships due to board exams. How tough is that?

A. It’s disappointing, but I don’t have a choice. Exams are important. I’m training as much as I can now so I can focus fully on studies closer to the exams.

Q. Have you decided on college... in India or abroad? And what subjects interest you?

A. Not yet. I’m discussing it with my parents and coaches. I’m interested in art and architecture, but those are tough subjects to balance with squash, so I need to find the right balance

Q. Finally, your expectations from the JSW Indian Open?

A. I’m excited to play at home. I’m the top seed and feeling confident. My main competition will be players like Joshna (Chinappa) and a few Egyptians. There’s strong competition, but winning is very important to me because it offers a significant boost in ranking points.

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