SQUASH | Tandon targets this year’s Asian Games after the heartbreak of 2022

Ramit Tandon says he is keen to play more tournaments at home this year as he targets a place in the Indian men’s squash team for the Asian Games to be held in Japan in September.

Currently Indian No. 2 in the Professional Squash Association (PSA) rankings at 39 behind Abhay Singh (WR 27), the 34-year-old will begin his domestic campaign at the JSW Indian Open in Mumbai from March 18 to 22.

Speaking to The Hindu on Friday, Tandon said competing at home was always special though opportunities had been limited in recent years.

“It’s always wonderful playing at home. The issue is that we don’t get to do it frequently. But with squash making it to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, we are seeing a big boost.

“There was a PSA event in Indore at Daly College in November last year, which was the first glass-court event after a gap of a few years following Covid.”

Having missed selection for the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, Tandon hopes to make the squad this time when the Games are held in Aichi_Nagoya.

“The Asian Games is the biggest event for us this year. India has always been a strong contender and, as the defending champion in the men’s team event, we will be looking to do well again. There will be a training camp cum selection trials in June,” said Tandon.

He also felt Indian men’s squash was currently in a strong phase. “I can’t remember the last time we had four male players (Abhay, Tandon, Veer Chotrani ranked 45, and S. Velavan 49) inside the world’s top 50.”

On qualifying for the 2028 Olympics, Tandon said it was still early. “With PSA rankings changing every week, it gives players an opportunity to push up,” he said.

He added that he now prefers a lighter schedule. “I don’t want to play back-to-back tournaments. I want to play about 12 events at most, with training blocks in between.”