World’s best masters squash players to descend on Perth as local Sue Hillier defends championship title

Perth will become the centre of the squash world for the first time next weekend, with more than 1500 competitors, supporters and officials from more than 55 countries set to descend on the city for the 2026 World Squash Masters Championships.

The week-long championships for players aged 35 and over will be played across 22 courts from August 30 to September 6 at Squashworld in Mirrabooka and the newly upgraded Belmont Squash & Sport Centre.

Karrinyup Shopping Centre will also host a purpose-built glass court for the event.

Among those taking to the court will be local champion Sue Hillier, who is chasing a world title on home soil.

Hillier, 63, first made her mark on the WA squash scene in 1988, almost 40 years ago, when she won the first of her eight State championships.

Since then she has enjoyed a decorated career, claiming multiple World Masters Championships and a World Masters Games crown.

She said she was excited to serve up a show at home and urged people to come along and see what squash is all about.

“I’m really hoping people come along and watch because squash is such an exciting sport,” Hillier said.

“For people who have never seen it before, masters squash is probably a great introduction because it’s not quite as fast as the professional game. People can actually see the rallies and understand what’s happening.

“My family and friends will get to come and watch, and I have a training group on Wednesdays and a lot of them are playing as well. It’s just really good to have it here.”

Hillier said squash had given her so much, from fitness and friendships to travel and “amazing experiences”, and she would love to see more people enjoy the same.

“People get to 35 and think they’re too old for sport, but that’s actually when the masters category starts,” she said.

“I just wish more people would play masters because it’s so good. It’s competitive, it’s social and it gives people a reason to stay involved.”

She will enter the tournament as the defending champion and number one seed in her division after claiming the 2024 title.