Where Did Squash Originate? History & Facts

By Sarah Miller · July 7, 2035

Squash originated in England in the mid-19th century, specifically at Harrow School, where students began hitting a punctured rubber ball against walls and corridors, leading to the formal development of the game.

History and Origins of Squash

The sport of squash evolved from older racket games played in English schools. While tennis was gaining popularity in the 1800s, students at Harrow School in London sought a more accessible alternative using available indoor spaces.

The Birth at Harrow School

During the 1830s, students at Harrow began playing a game with a solid rubber ball that had been accidentally punctured. This damaged ball became softer and slower, allowing for longer rallies and better control. The squashed ball gave the sport its name.

The original game was played in school corridors and walled courts.
The soft, deformed ball allowed for dynamic wall rebounds.
Harrow students adapted rules from rackets, an earlier indoor sport.

Evolution into a Formal Sport

By the 1860s, dedicated squash courts were constructed at Harrow and other British public schools like Eton and Charterhouse. The first official rules were codified at Harrow in 1875, marking the transition from informal play to structured competition.

The sport spread through the British Empire, particularly to India, Egypt, and Commonwealth nations, where it gained elite status and competitive depth.

How Squash Differs from Similar Sports

Squash is often confused with racquetball or handball, but key distinctions exist in equipment, court size, and gameplay.

Court Dimensions: A standard squash court measures 9.75m x 6.4m, significantly smaller than racquetball courts.
Ball Type: Squash balls are small, hollow, and made of rubber with varying dot ratings for speed.
Racket Size: Squash rackets are smaller and lighter compared to racquetball rackets.
Scoring: Modern squash uses rally scoring up to 11 points, whereas older systems required serving to score.

Global Growth and Competitive Landscape

From its British roots, squash has become a globally competitive sport governed by the World Squash Federation (WSF). Over 20 million people now play squash in more than 185 countries.

Country	Estimated Players (2024)	Top Professional Player	Major Domestic League
Egypt	1,200,000	Ali Farag	Egyptian Squash League
England	850,000	James Willstrop	PSA Tour Events (UK-based)
India	600,000	Saurav Ghosal	Indian Squash Premier League (proposed)
USA	300,000	Timothy Brownell	US Open Squash Championships
Australia	250,000	Donna Lobban	Australian Pro Series

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows Egypt leads in both player base and elite performance, dominating the Professional Squash Association (PSA) rankings. The concentration of top talent in Egypt highlights the country's investment in youth development and coaching infrastructure. Meanwhile, Western nations like the USA and Australia are growing participation through school programs and urban fitness centers.

Modern Rules and Gameplay

Understanding how squash is played today helps contextualize its historical evolution.

Basic Rules

The ball must hit the front wall above the tin and below the out line.
Players alternate shots; the ball can hit side walls before the front wall.
Rally scoring is used: a point is awarded on every serve, up to 11 points.
Games are best of five.

Equipment Standards

Squash balls come in different speeds indicated by colored dots: double-yellow (slow, controlled), yellow (standard), red (faster), and blue (beginner). Rackets must not exceed 68.5 cm in length and 21.5 cm in width under PSA regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Squash Origins

Where did squash originate?

Squash originated in England in the 1830s at Harrow School, where students used a punctured rubber ball to play a wall-based racket game that evolved into modern squash.

Why is it called squash?

The sport is named after the "squashed" rubber ball used by Harrow students. The damaged ball became softer and easier to control, creating longer rallies and defining the game’s pace.

How is squash different from racquetball?

Squash is played on a smaller court with a smaller, less bouncy ball and a narrower racket. The scoring system and wall dynamics also differ significantly, making squash faster and more physically demanding.

Is squash an Olympic sport?

As of 2025, squash is not an Olympic sport, despite decades of lobbying. It will be included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as part of a broader effort to add fast-paced urban sports.

Which country dominates international squash?

Egypt currently dominates men’s and women’s professional squash, with multiple world number one players and strong performances in PSA World Championships and major tournaments.