World Open (squash) - Overview

Overview

Prior to the establishment of the men's World Open, a tournament called the World Amateur Individual Championship was held in the late-1960s and 1970s. The winners of this tournament for male players included some of the game's leading figures such as Geoff Hunt and Cam Nancarrow. However many players and fans did not consider this event to be a proper world championship because several of the game's top players were ineligible to participate as they had turned professional. The British Open had for many years been generally considered to be the sport's effective world championship, and this continued to be the case until the World Open was established.

The women's World Open was held once every two years until the early-1990s, when it became an annual event. The men's event has been held every year since 1979, except for a two-year gap in 2000 and 2001 when it was not held due primarily to difficulties in securing sponsorship.

In recent years, the men's World Open has been part of the PSA Super Series.

The venue for the World Open changes every year. Normally the men's and women's events are held separately in two different locations, although on some occasions they have been held together as a combined event.