Squash (sport)

Squash

A squash player prepares to strike the ball with his racket
Highest governing body	World Squash (WS)
First played	19th century, England
Characteristics
Contact	Limited
Team members	Singles or doubles
Mixed-sex	Separate competitions (mixed sometimes in leagues)
Type	Racket sport
Equipment	Squash ball, squash racket, goggles, non-marking gum soled shoes
Venue	Indoor or outdoor (with glass court)
Presence
Olympic	To be included in 2028 Summer Olympics
World Games	1997, 2005–present

Squash, sometimes called squash rackets, is a racket sport played by two (singles) or four players (doubles) in a four-walled court with a small, hollow, rubber ball. The players alternate striking the ball with their rackets, directing it onto the playable surfaces of the four walls of the court. The object of the game is to hit the ball in such a way that the opponent is not able to play a valid return. There are about 20 million people who play squash regularly worldwide in over 185 countries.^[1] The governing body of squash, the World Squash Federation (WSF), is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the sport will be included in the Olympic Games, starting with the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.^[2] The Professional Squash Association (PSA) organizes the pro tour.