Squash is an extremely fun sport to play but it still hasn’t garnered the attention that tennis has got. So how much do professional squash players earn?

Both sports are formidable in their own aspects and players go under a strict training routine. Yet professional squash players earn considerably less.

If you want to know what professional squash players earn, the answer will be disappointing. The average professional squash player on a tour can earn around $100,000 a year. This is somewhat discouraging for new squash players who want to make a career in this sport.

The fact is, there are several factors behind the less earnings which we will cover in this article. Although the earnings have been restructured, there is still a long way to go. We will also look at the struggles of low-tiered squash players.

As an experienced squash player, I have played the sport in local and regional tournaments. However, my main drive wasn’t to earn money as being a squash player isn’t the most lucrative of careers. I have done a lot of research on why squash players earn less than other sports players.

What is Squash?

Squash is a popular sport that is played with a racquet and a ball. Squash is one of the few sports that can be played alone. However, people often prefer to play it with others as it adds to the challenge

The object of the game is to hit the ball on the playable surface of a four-walled court. The maximum number of players allowed is four. Players must strike the ball in such a way that their opponent is unable to play it back.

What Do Professional Squash Players Earn?

With squash's recent restructuring and growing popularity as a professional sport, many wonder what professional squash players earn. According to data from the Professional Squash Association (PSA), men's prize money has increased by 33%, while women's prize money has grown by 50% over the past five years.

While squash is a growing sport, with more money being funneled into professional prize pools, men still earn significantly more than women. The top-earning male player in 2018, Mohamed El Shorbagy, earned over $625,000 while the top-earning female player, Nour El Sherbini, earned just over $350,000.

There is a clear disparity between men's and women's earnings in squash, but that is not to say that the sport isn't making progress in terms of gender equality. In fact, the PSA has made a commitment to increasing prize money for women and ensuring that all World Tour events offer equal prize money for both men and women by 2020.

Highest Earning Male Squash Players

• Mohamed El Shorbagy (Egypt): $625,000
• Gregory Gaultier (France): $410,625
• James Willstrop (England): $362,500
• Ali Farag (Egypt): $347,500
• Nick Matthew (England): $325,000

Top-Earning Women Squash Players

• Nour El Sherbini (Egypt): $350,000
• Raneem El Welily (Egypt): $286,250
• Camille Serme (France): $267,500
• Nouran Gohar (Egypt): $265,000
• Joelle King (New Zealand): $247,500

Is it Lucrative to Become a Professional Squash Player?

However, it is important to keep in mind that squash is still a relatively small sport compared to tennis. It does not have the same global appeal or following and thus does not generate the same amount of revenue. As squash continues to grow in popularity, it is likely that prize money will continue to increase.

While the prize money for professional squash players has increased in recent years, it is still not on par with other professional racket sports such as tennis. For context, the winner of Wimbledon takes home $3 million while the US Open champion earns $3.8 million.

In 2018, Rafael Nadal earned over $10 million dollars while Novak Djokovic earned nearly $9 million dollars. In contrast, the top-earning squash player only made less than a tenth of that amount.

However, squash is unique in that it is one of the only professional racket sports that is played indoors, meaning that tournaments can be held year-round regardless of weather conditions. This makes squash a more viable option for professional athletes as they don't have to take breaks in between seasons.

For many aspiring professional squash players, the sport provides an opportunity to earn a good living while doing something they love. While the prize money may not be on par with other outdoor racket sports, squash is a growing sport with a bright future.

What is PSA?

The Professional Squash Association is the governing body for professional squash. It was formed in 1977 and is responsible for organizing professional squash tournaments and setting the rules of the game.

The PSA World Tour is the main professional squash tour for men and women. It features over 100 events across more than 30 countries with prize money totaling over $5 million.

Squash Earnings After Restructuring

With squash's recent restructuring and growing popularity as a professional sport, many are wondering what do professional squash players earn? According to data from the Professional Squash Association (PSA), men's prize money has increased by 33%, while women's prize money has grown by 50% over the past five years.

The restructuring was done to make squash a more viable and sustainable professional sport. This was done by increasing the number of tournaments, adding new events, and creating a ranking system. All of these changes have helped to increase the prize money available to professional players.

The total prize money for 2018-19 was $5,365,000 with $3,325,000 going to men and $2,040,000 going to women. The prize money is distributed among the players based on their ranking. The top-ranked player in the world earns the most money while lower-ranked players earn less.

Lower Tiered Squash Players

While the prize money has increased for professional squash players, it is still not enough to support a lower-tiered player. For example, a player ranked outside of the top 100 in the world may only earn a few thousand dollars a year from prize money. This is not enough to cover the cost of travel and living expenses, let alone make a living.

As squash continues to grow in popularity, it is likely that the prize money will continue to increase. This will attract more top players to the sport and help to raise the standard of play. It will also provide more financial security for lower-tiered players and help them to pursue their dream of playing professional squash.

Squash World Tours

The PSA World Tour is the main professional squash tour for men and women. It features over 100 events across more than 30 countries with prize money totaling over $5 million.

The tour culminates with the World Championships, which is the most prestigious event in squash. The top 32 players in the world compete for a first-place prize of $160,000. The total prize money for the tournament is $1 million.

The Women's Squash Association (WSA) also has a professional tour, which is called the Women's World Squash Tour (WWST). It has a similar structure to the PSA World Tour but with fewer events and less prize money. The total prize money for the WWST is $500,000.

While the PSA and WSA are the two main professional squash organizations, there are also a number of regional tours. These include the North American Squash Tour (NAST), the European Squash Tour (EST), and the Asia-Pacific Squash Tour (APST).

Factors Affecting the Earnings of Professional Squash Players

There are a number of factors that can affect the earnings of professional squash players. The most important factor in their ranking. The higher a player is ranked, the more money they will earn from prize money and sponsorship deals.

Other factors that can affect earnings include the number of tournaments a player competes in, their results in those tournaments, and their popularity. For example, a player who is popular with fans and sponsors may be able to earn more money than a player with the same ranking but less name recognition.

Popularity of Squash

Squash is a growing sport with a large and passionate fan base. The popularity of squash is one of the factors driving the growth of prize money in the sport. As more people watch and follow the sport, there will be more interest from sponsors and broadcasters. This will result in more money being available for prize funds and player salaries.

The majority of squash fans are based in Europe and North America. However, the sport is also popular in Asia, South America, and Africa.

There are a number of reasons why squash is so popular with viewers. The fast-paced nature of the game makes it exciting to watch. The rallies can be very long, which adds to the suspense. And, because the players are often close to each other, there is a lot of opportunity for dramatic shots and acrobatic retrievals.

Squash is also popular because it is easy to understand. The scoring system is simple, and the rules are straightforward. This makes it an ideal sport for people who are new to watching or playing racket sports.

Countries Where Squash is Played the Most

Squash is a global sport with players from all over the world competing on the professional circuit. However, there are some countries where squash is more popular than others.

The United States is the largest market for squash. This is due to the popularity of college squash and a large number of squash courts in the country. There are also a number of top-ranked American players, which helps to raise the profile of the sport.

England is another major player in the squash world. The game originated in England, and it has been very popular there for many years. English players have won a number of prestigious tournaments, including the British Open, which is one of the oldest and most respected squash events.

Other countries where squash is popular include Canada, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

How Has Covid-19 Affected Squash?

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on squash. Many tournaments have been canceled or postponed, and the prize money has been reduced. This has had a significant financial impact on professional squash players.

However, the pandemic has also created some opportunities for squash. The sport has been featured more on television and online, which has helped to raise its profile. And, with many people spending more time at home, there has been an increase in interest in playing squash.

While the short-term effects of the pandemic have been negative for professional squash players, the long-term effects are likely to be positive. The increased exposure to the sport is likely to result in more interest and more investment. This could lead to an increase in prize money and more opportunities for squash players around the world.

Challenges for New Professional Squash Players

One of the challenges facing new professional squash players is the restructuring of the sport. In recent years, there have been a number of changes to the professional circuit. The most significant change has been the introduction of the World Squash Tour (WST).

The WST is a new professional tour that combines the PSA World Tour and the WSA World Tour. It is designed to create a more unified professional squash circuit with bigger prize funds and more exposure for the sport.

However, the WST has been criticized by some players and commentators. They argue that it favors the top-ranked players and makes it harder for lower-ranked players to break into the top echelons of the sport.

Another challenge for new players in the increasing popularity of squash. As the sport continues to grow in popularity, there will be more competition for places on the professional circuit. This means that players will need to work harder to stand out from the crowd and earn a place on tour.

Initiatives to Make Squash Enter Mainstream Audience

There are a number of initiatives being undertaken to make squash more popular with mainstream audiences. One of the most significant is the World Squash Federation's (WSF) partnership with ESPN.

This partnership will see squash being shown on ESPN's networks in the United States. This is a major coup for the sport as it will raise its profile and give it greater exposure to American viewers.

The WSF is also working with broadcasters around the world to ensure that squash is featured on more TV channels. This will help to increase the sport's reach and make it more accessible to viewers.

Finally, the WSF is investing in grassroots initiatives to grow the sport at a grassroots level. This includes supporting national squash associations and developing programs to get more people playing squash.

These initiatives will help to increase the popularity of squash and make it more accessible to viewers. This, in turn, should help to attract more sponsors and generate more interest in the sport.

The Future of Squash

Squash is a growing sport with a bright future. The prize money is increasing, the number of tournaments is increasing, and the sport is becoming more popular around the world. This has attracted more top players to the sport and helped to raise the standard of play.

While there is still some way to go before squash can rival other sports in terms of popularity and prize money, it is likely that we will see even more changes in the coming years. This could include an increase in prize money, more events, and more opportunities for players to pursue a professional career in squash. The PSA is committed to furthering the development of the sport and its athletes and working towards a bright future for squash.