New Zealand’s top male and female squash athletes are set to be joined by some of the best squash players in the world, with a strong entry list from across 17-nations announced for the New Zealand Squash Open.

Women’s world number four Joelle King and men’s number five Paul Coll are returning home for the Open, which will be played as part of the NZ Festival of Squash in Tauranga in early December.

Joining King in the Barfoot & Thompson NZ Women’s Open is five-time US Champion Amanda Sobhy who boasts a career high world number three ranking.

World number seven and ten Nele Gillis and Tinnie Gillis from Belgium will also be looking to give King a run for her money as she looks to defend her 2022 title.

The other athlete to watch in the women’s competition will be young Egyptian up-and-comer Fayrouz Aboelkheir who will be seeded ninth in the women’s draw despite being only 17 years old.

Rounding out the draw is New Zealand Commonwealth Games athlete Kaitlyn Watts, who joins the entry list as the Kiwi wildcard.

In the Robertson Lodges NZ Men’s Open are the top 10 world ranked Marwan ElShorbagy from England,

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Joel Makin from Wales, and Egypt’s Tarek Momen who also has a career high world number three ranking.

France will also be well represented, with Victor Crouin, Baptise Masotti, Auguste Dussourd and Gregorie Marche all on the bill. Up and coming Auckland athlete Elijah Thomas takes the men’s wildcard.

“It’s a pretty stacked field,” says Coll.

“It’s awesome to get to face that competition at home and there’s going to be some great matches and some really aggressive squash on display.”

Men’s number five Paul Coll.

The draw consists of 24 men and 24 women with King saying it’s an impressive lineup on both sides.

“It’s great to have such a quality field for an event in our backyard,” says King.

“With squash just announced for the 2028 Olympics everyone’s really excited and I have no doubt that some of these athletes will be Olympians, so I’d really encourage the community to come and enjoy the action, it’s going to be world class.”

The New Zealand Squash Open will be played in New Zealand’s Mercury Baypark Arena, from December 5-10.

It is followed by the Men’s World Team Championship from December 11-17.

“This is an opportunity to see the best squash players in the world, right here in New Zealand,” says Tournament Director Wayne Werder.

“The Festival of Squash was really successful last year and this year is going to be even bigger and better so make sure you snap up your tickets to avoid missing out.”

Tickets for the 2023 NZ Squash Open are on sale through the event website www.festivalofsquash.co.nz