You may not know, but, we also have a pickleball newsletter that's written by Sara McInnes and emailed out every two weeks (if you're a pickleball player, I'd highly recommend signing up, by the way)!
Anyway, Sara shared an article a while back that went through some of her favourite things about the sport that keep her coming back to the pickleball court year in year out.
Although I haven't mentioned it in a while (as I didn't want to bore you all), I am still struggling with my back injury (as well as a new shoulder injury I picked up at the gym), so it's not been a great squash season for me.
But, reading Sara's article got me thinking about that topic. Because, despite not being able to play a squash match for almost 7/8 months, my love for the game hasn't gone away.
I've been to watch my home club's team play almost all of their matches and I'm still watching SquashTV pretty much any time there is a tournament on.
Of course, writing these blog posts also keeps my mind on squash which I love too.
So, in this article, I'm going to talk about some of the main elements of the sport that keep me coming back.
No Two Matches Are Ever the Same
One of the things I love most about squash is that no two matches play out the same way.
Even when the players are of a similar level, the style and approach they bring to the court can lead to very different outcomes.
It’s one of the reasons squash is such an endlessly fascinating sport. Even though I've been stuck as a spectator for so long, this is one of the main things that draws me to our local club to watch our team matches.
You could take three players who are the same standard on SquashLevels, let’s call them player 1, player 2, and player 3, and on paper, you’d expect them to have close, competitive matches with similar results.
But squash doesn’t often work like that. Player 1 might beat player 2 comfortably, maybe even 3-0, but when player 1 faces player 3, they could lose just as decisively without taking a game.
To add another layer of unpredictability, player 3 might struggle against player 2, barely scraping through in five.
I dabble in betting on professional squash, and even at that level, upsets are so common that it makes it exciting to watch.
It’s all about how styles match up.
Some players can be incredibly aggressive, taking the ball early and putting relentless pressure on their opponent; others might be more patient, relying on accuracy and length to wear their opponents down.
Then there’s the grinder, who loves long, physical rallies, forcing errors through sheer endurance.
Even within these styles, there are tons of variations of specific strengths and weaknesses. When these contrasting styles clash, the results can be unpredictable.
Again, touching on the professional level, we see this dynamic play out time and again.
I saw a great example of this today when I watched Egypt's Youssef Ibrahim play against Wales' Joel Makin.
Makin is ranked at World No.5 and Ibrahim at World No.14, but it seems like every time they play, it's unbelievably tight. Youssef, who plays with ridiculous pace, power, and tricky angles, seems to be a bit of a boogeyman for Joel.
Joel Makin has rightfully earned his spot in the top 5 and is renowned for his relentless fitness and retrieval, as well as the accuracy and consistency of his length game, however, there's something that seems to really throw him off-guard when he comes up against Youssef.
Makin does tend to come out on top, however, the pair have had their share of five-setters. Today's match was 3-0 to Makin, but all three of those games could have just as easily gone to Ibrahim; the scores were 12-10, 12-10, and 15-13.
A 3-0 match can't get much closer than that!
As cliche as it might sound, squash is a tactical game of chess where the smallest adjustments can swing the momentum.
Watching these subtle shifts unfold, whether in person at my local club or on SquashTV, reminds me just how intricate squash can be.
That variety is part of what keeps me hooked.
Even after all these months away from playing, I find myself watching matches and thinking about how I’d handle different situations.
Would I change the pace? Would I take the ball earlier to cut off my opponent’s time? Or would I try to stay solid and grind them down until the mistakes creep in?
It's often hard to know!
The Grind: Physical Fitness
Even though I haven’t been able to play full-on squash matches for 7-8 months now, I’ve been doing some light drills and length games to try and keep my shots sharp.
Although my back won't let me play high-intensity matches, I can hit like this for 30-45 minutes without it getting too painful (as long as I stretch thoroughly before and after).
After so much time off, even these ‘lighter’ sessions have been a brutal reminder of just how physically demanding squash is.
I’ve been doing a lot of cycling on my mountain bike over the past few months, and while that’s been great for keeping my cardio up, it doesn’t even come close to the kind of fitness squash demands.
It’s not just about endurance either.
Squash challenges almost every aspect of your fitness in ways that few other sports can.
The constant stop-start movements mean your heart rate is spiking and recovering over and over again, which builds incredible cardiovascular endurance.
But at the same time, you’re also engaging your legs, core, and upper body in short, explosive bursts, which improves power and strength.
Even after a short 2-3 minute length game on each side, my legs are burning, my lungs are working overtime, and I’m drenched in sweat.
Then, there’s the agility and balance side of things.
Squash forces you to be light on your feet, constantly adjusting your position to get into the right spot.
You’re lunging, twisting, and recovering, all while staying balanced and ready for the next shot. It’s a full-body workout that tests your coordination as much as your endurance.
And because the rallies can be so dynamic, you’re not just moving in straight lines, you’re stopping, starting, and changing direction all the time.
I've been keeping my legs strong at the gym; however, after playing a bit of squash, my core strength and balance have taken a hit. I can feel myself being unstable and off-balance in bigger lunges.
My core is definitely on my list of things to work on now!
What I’ve always found interesting is how squash combines aerobic and anaerobic fitness so effectively.
During longer rallies, you’re relying on your aerobic system to keep you going, but when you’re sprinting to retrieve a tight drop or smashing a loose ball into the nick, it’s your anaerobic system that kicks in.
This mix of high-intensity bursts and sustained movement makes squash one of the best sports for overall conditioning, as most of you probably know.
Beyond just keeping you fit, squash works wonders for your mental sharpness too.
Staying focused, making quick decisions, and staying composed under fatigue is all part of the game.
Even during these lighter drills, I’ve felt that familiar mental engagement kick in, where you’re constantly thinking ahead and trying to stay one step ahead of the ball.
Perhaps it's because I've missed the sport so much, but the feeling after I come off court after even a light drill session is unmatched for me.
It’s been a humbling reminder that no matter how much I try to stay fit off the court, nothing quite replicates the demands of a good squash session.
And honestly, that’s part of what I love about it.
The feeling of knowing that you’re building strength, endurance, and mental toughness with every rally is quite addictive to me.
These sessions have reminded me how much work I'll have to put in to be match fit again if/when my back ever decides to get better!
Image credit: Steve Cubbins
Team Squash And The Club Atmosphere
Even though I haven’t been able to play competitively for a while now, I’ve found a lot of joy in being a spectator, especially when it comes to watching Northern RFC (my home club) play their team matches.
There’s something about the atmosphere during team squash that’s completely different from regular club nights or solo practice sessions.
The energy is higher, the stakes feel more real, and the support from the sidelines makes every point feel more intense.
I’ve been at almost every home and away match this season, and it’s been a great way to stay connected to the game, even while I’ve been sidelined.
Watching the team battle it out, seeing the momentum shift from player to player, and feeling the collective tension when we're up against one of our rival clubs.
It’s all been a reminder of just how much I love the sport.
When the matches get tight, the noise from the balcony ramps up, and you can feel the whole club willing the players on. It’s such a unique buzz that you don’t quite get in friendlies or even tournaments to a certain extent.
What’s also struck me is how team squash brings people together in a different way.
It’s not just about the players on court, it’s the supporters, the club members, and even the opposition, all sharing that same passion for the game.
There’s a real sense of team, where everyone’s invested in the result and celebrating (or commiserating) together afterward.
Plus, I've been lucky/sneaky enough to stay for food after a lot of these matches which is always a very nice bonus... even if it makes me feel like a bit of a vulture.
Even though I’ve been watching from the sidelines, being part of that atmosphere has kept me connected to the club and the squash community.
It’s another reason why, even after all this time off, I know I’ll never drift too far from the game.
The fact that we won the league this season makes things even better too!
Always Something to Learn
Another one of the things I love most about squash is that there’s always something new to learn, whether it’s from watching the pros or even just observing my own teammates during club matches.
Squash is such a deep and nuanced sport that no matter how long you’ve been playing, there’s always another layer to uncover.
When you watch or play against a better player, you learn a lot and it's easy to think that that's it.
But, there's always a bigger fish.
There's some players I know who I've see as almost unbeatable in the past, but, then I'll see them get dismantled by someone I've never seen before.
I’ve spent plenty of time watching SquashTV recently, and every time I tune in, I end up noticing something different.
One of the main things I've been trying to observe is how players on the losing end switch up their tactics to try and get back on top. And the pros are a great example of this since they often have expert coaches in their corner.
You'll often see the pace dramatically change half way through a match, for example, when a losing player is trying a different approach.
Seeing the best players in the world adapt their tactics, adjust their positioning, and problem-solve mid-match is like a masterclass in squash, and I always come away with something I want to try (once I’m back to playing properly, of course).
But it’s not just the pros, I’ve learned a lot just by watching my own club’s team matches. When you’re not caught up in your own game, you notice all the small details that often go unnoticed when you’re on court.
When we're playing new teams with new players, you get to see new styles that you've perhaps never seen before.
Watching veterans who obviously have extensive experience in the game, for example, is a great way to learn about the power of shot selection and strategy.
You can often be sure that a lot of thought is going into every shot they're playing, so then you can think to yourself 'why did they play that shot'? If you can answer that, then you'll have learned something that you can implement in your own game.
What’s interesting is that sometimes I’ll spot something during a match that reminds me of my own game, things I’ve done well in the past or, more often, things I could be doing better.
Watching from the sidelines has given me a bit of a fresh perspective, and I’ve got a growing list of ideas I’m eager to work on once I’m back to full fitness.
Image credit: Steve Cubbins
Growth of the Game
Squash has always had this niche feel to it, and honestly, that’s something I’ve always appreciated.
It’s not a sport that everyone plays or even fully understands, which gives it a certain charm. When you’re part of the squash community, it feels a bit like being in a little club.
Just to clarify, I'm not trying to gatekeep at all and the more people that take up the sport the better, but, in my life, my squash friend group is like a whole different part of my life when I compare it to my day-to-day work life (for example), and I really like the.
While squash has certainly struggled to break into the mainstream in recent years, there are signs that things might finally be turning a corner.
The biggest boost, of course, is squash’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics.
After years of near misses and frustration, it’s amazing to think that the world’s best players will finally get to showcase their skills on the biggest sporting stage.
I genuinely believe this could be a game-changer for the sport, giving it the exposure it’s always deserved and hopefully inspiring a new generation of players.
I've shared a bunch of articles from different international mainstream media platforms showcasing that country's best local players and interviewing them about their hopes for LA28 (I've actually included another one of these in this week's 'Around the Web' section).
But also, closer to home, I’ve noticed some positive signs as well.
The junior scene at my local club seems to be thriving, with more kids picking up a racquet and getting stuck into the game.
Seeing courts packed with young players on weekends and evenings is such an encouraging sight, it feels like there’s real momentum building at the grassroots level, which can only be a good thing for the sport’s future.
Of course, this is just my local area, and, I imagine that this isn't the case everywhere, but it's definitely a start!
On the professional side, PSA prize money has also been steadily increasing year after year, which is another promising sign.
Higher prize money means more incentive (and freedom) for players to dedicate themselves fully to the sport, and it also reflects a growing recognition of the incredible athleticism and skill that squash demands.
It’s still early days, but with these positive developments and the Olympics on the horizon, it feels like squash might finally be getting the platform it needs to grow and thrive.
And while I’ll always love the niche, close-knit feel of the squash community, I’m excited to see where this next chapter takes the game. It would be awesome to see it begin to join the mainstream a bit more!
Imagining That First Game Back
Not that I'm trying to put it on a pedestal or anything, but I can’t help but picture what that first game back will feel like.
I know I’ll probably be a bit rusty, my length will be all over the place, and my touch at the front might take a while to return, but that’s part of the fun.
What I’m really looking forward to is feeling that competitive edge kick in again.
Whether it’s a friendly match or something a little more serious, there’s no feeling quite like getting into a tight rally, testing yourself physically and mentally, and finding that flow where everything clicks.
I haven't felt the feeling of winning or losing something in so long and I miss them both!
Even just the rhythm of moving around the court, getting into position, and reacting instinctively are all things I’ve been craving.
I also can’t wait for the simple things that come with a game of team squash, in particular.
The fun social side of things before and after the match, those moments where you catch your breath between games, and the feeling of knowing you’ve left it all out there by the end.
There’s a satisfaction that comes with that, win or lose, that I’ve really missed.
It’s one thing to stay connected to the game through watching, writing, and spectating, but nothing beats actually being out there, feeling the intensity of the game firsthand.
After being out this long and trying so many different physios, stretching routines, and exercises, it's certainly hard to stay positive that I'll even be able to play again.
But, squash is such a big part of my life, that's not really an option!
I'll stop going on about my injury now, I promise! I did finally get an MRI a week or so ago and am still awaiting the results. Hopefully, this finds something and then I'll be able to have a better sense of direction with my recovery.
From a broader perspective, I hope this email has inspired you to love squash that little bit more!
This article was taken from our On The 'T' Newsletter, if you're interested in receiving more content like this, please feel free to sign up using the subscribe section located at the bottom left of this page (or underneath the article if you're on mobile), thanks!
