US Squash has announced the dates for the 2021 U.S. Open Squash Championships, marking a key milestone in the comeback of the sport. The PSA World Tour Platinum tournament—the highest level on the professional tour—will be held October 2-9, 2021, for the first time at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center. The best professional squash players from around the world—forty-eight women and forty-eight men—will descend on Philadelphia to compete for the coveted U.S. Open title and equal prize purses. In 2013, the U.S. Open led the charge for pay equality for the sport’s professional game, becoming the first major tournament to offer prize money parity.

In its return after the 2020 event was cancelled due to the pandemic, the 2021 U.S. Open marks the 10th edition of the event run in partnership between US Squash and Drexel University, during which time the event has secured its place as one of the world’s most prestigious events, and a mainstay on the Philadelphia sports calendar. The U.S. Open will anchor the opening season of the Specter Center on Drexel University’s campus in Philadelphia’s burgeoning University City.
As momentum continues in the return of players to the squash courts, US Squash has announced a preliminary schedule of summer junior tournaments and posted additional information on policies and procedures that will apply to Stage 2 of the phased transition to junior national competition and tournament points-based rankings, beginning May 28, 2021. More detailed information is available on www.ussquash.org/return.

In a virtual program on April 7, the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions Squash Championships honored the 1980 U.S. Junior Women’s Team with its Women’s Leadership award. Alicia McConnell accepted the award saying, “What an honor to accept this on behalf of the team, and that’s the word I think we all took away from the experience. Win or lose, it was how much we supported each other and enjoyed the journey.”

The 20th anniversary edition of World Squash Day takes place on Saturday, October 9 during the U.S. Open finals. “Squash is so much more than the 45-minute time slot you booked to play," said Amanda Sobhy, Team USA's world No. 5. "It’s the amazing benefits you’ll get for your mental health and physical health. It’s the lifelong friends you’ll make and the community you’ll be a part of because of it. It’s the fun that you’ll have when you’re a part of this amazing sport.”
US Squash will host the US Squash Junior Awards Night celebrating commitment, excellence and sportsmanship in the junior squash community on Wednesday, May 5 at 8pm EDT. The evening will also provide an opportunity to welcome back players as the sport marks its comeback from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Head Pro sets the standard and serves as a leader to the squash professional instructors and staff-at-large. The Head Pro is an ambassador in a highly visible position and engages with members and guests to ensure an exceptional squash experience at the Specter Center.

Views From the Arlen Specter US Squash Center
The Arlen Specter US Squash Center shows off its colors during lighting testing.

The Specter Center is planned to open later this year and will feature eighteen singles courts and two hardball doubles courts. Developed in partnership with Drexel University, it will anchor the US Squash Community Affiliate Network and provide broad community access from its location in one of twenty-two federally-designated Promise Zone neighborhoods. The Specter Center will also house the U.S. Squash Hall of Fame, offer world-class high-performance training resources to Team USA athletes, serve as the US Squash national headquarters and operate a Learning & Innovation Center in partnership with SquashSmarts.