Joey White targeting strong Aus Open performance

The Squash Australian Open has come a long way in just a few years, with three-time national champion Joseph White seeing first-hand the growth of the tournament as it continues to establish itself as a major event on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour.

Now in its third year at Brisbane’s South Bank Piazza, the Squash Australian Open has become a standout fixture on the international calendar, bringing world-class players to a spectacular glass court in the heart of the city.

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The tournament’s rise from a Bronze-level event to Gold status reflects the growing ambition of Australian squash, with the event providing a platform to showcase the sport to new audiences as it builds towards its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032.

For White, the evolution has been exciting. 

“It's been fantastic to see the growth of the Australian Open. Obviously, it went from a Bronze event several years ago to now being a Gold event, and hopefully we can push it even further in the upcoming years as we lead into LA and Brisbane 2032,” White said.

“It's been really amazing to see that progression. I think it's great to see the amount of support from the local community in Brisbane, but also from the Australian squash community.”

The South Bank setting has become a key part of the tournament’s appeal, with the glass court placing the action in front of a live audience in one of Brisbane’s most recognisable precincts.

As the tournament progresses into the latter stages, the crowds and atmosphere have continued to build, giving players an opportunity to compete in a setting that is markedly different from the traditional indoor squash environment.

“It's great to see how many people are coming out to watch matches, especially from the quarter-finals onwards. There seems to be a really good atmosphere,” White said.

The outdoor conditions also present a unique challenge for competitors, with Brisbane’s heat and humidity adding another dimension to the tournament.

White believes those conditions can work in favour of Australian players, who are more accustomed to the local climate than many of their international opponents.

“It is obviously tough playing in Brisbane in March outdoors, so it's always tough on court there. It's nice, though, because I think that gives the Aussies a little bit of an advantage,” he said.

“We're probably more used to the heat and humidity than everyone else coming across, because they're usually coming out of a pretty stiff winter in the Northern Hemisphere. It's a very different change in weather.”

For Australia's emerging players, the Australian Open also offers an important opportunity to test themselves against some of the world's best, with wildcards providing access to a Gold-level field they might otherwise struggle to enter.

The experience can be invaluable, both in terms of world rankings and the lessons gained from competing against established international stars.

“It's definitely a great opportunity for the players coming through that we have these wildcards into a Gold event. It's a very big help for the rankings, but also for the experience against those players,” White said.

“It's not something you regularly get the opportunity to do, play guys inside the top 20 and 30 in the world. It's a great experience and a very valuable one, too.”

Those matches give Australian players a benchmark for the level required to progress on the world tour, helping them identify areas for improvement and measure their development against elite opposition.

“You're trying to get that experience against the top-30 guys, seeing where the gaps are and trying to close them every time you play. It's about that constant improvement towards that level,” White said.

The home crowd and the presence of Squash Australia support staff also make a difference, offering Australian players a level of backing they do not always receive when competing overseas.

For White, who competes internationally across North America, Egypt and Asia, having familiar faces on site at the Australian Open provides valuable support before and during matches.

“Having a little bit more home support, having the crowd behind you and having Squash Australia support staff there, being on site to work with you before and during the match, has been a really big help over the last couple of years,” he said.

“It's awesome to have access to that, which is something we don't really have when we're playing World Tour events around different parts of the world.It's normally just yourself and your friends on tour, and you're very much left to your own devices.”

With the Squash Australian Open continuing to grow in stature, the tournament represents an important opportunity for Australian players to compete at home while helping raise the profile of squash in Brisbane.

And for White, the chance to return to the South Bank glass court is one he continues to look forward to.

“I enjoy playing at home and competing on that glass court, so I'm looking forward to it again next year and hopefully can make it a couple of rounds into the event.”

Pack the Piazza. Be part of squash history. Secure your tickets here.