May 24, 2011-The
Women's International Squash Players' Association has confirmed that
the 2011 US Open will become part of the WISPA World Series - and boast
the biggest prize-fund in its history.
The move will see the prize-fund
double from the 2010 figure to $60,000 - and the prestigious event join
the raft of events on the re-branded WISPA World Series, the top tier
events on the women's tour.
Drexel University will host the 2011
US Open Squash Championships at the newly-renovated Daskalakis Athletic
Center, in downtown Philadelphia, from 1-6 October.
The event will enjoy a similar
status to the men's PSA event in what will be only the second time in
the history of the competition that the two events have been staged
simultaneously.
"We are delighted that US Squash has
been able to confirm that the US Open in Philadelphia will be part of
this exciting new era," said WISPA Tour Director Tim Garner.
"It is only right that such a
prestigious title is part of the elite group on the WISPA World Tour.
The US is key market for squash and we are keen to be able to help push
the profile of the sport there. We hope to add further events to the
WISPA World Series in the near future."
US Squash CEO Kevin Klipstein is
also delighted to be backing this historic initiative: "We are proud to
have the US Open as part of the WISPA World Series. We support the
increased partnership between WISPA and PSA, and bringing the men's and
women's tour naming into alignment makes sense.
"Drexel University will be an
outstanding host this year as we run the men's and women's
championships simultaneously for only the second time ever. This is a
major first step towards our long term goal of making the US Open the
largest prize money squash tournament in the world."
Malaysia's world No1 Nicol David
currently leads the WISPA World Series Standings after winning the
inaugural event, the Cedrus Investments Cayman Islands Open in April.