What is the Difference Between Squash and Racquetball?

Squash and racquetball are both racket sports with similarities, but they have distinct differences in terms of equipment, court dimensions, and game rules. Here are the main differences between the two sports:

1. History: Squash originated in 1830 in England, while racquetball was created in 1949 by an American named Joe Sobek.
2. Equipment: Squash uses a longer, narrower racket (up to 27 inches long and 68.6 cm long). In contrast, racquetball uses a shorter, wider racket (up to 22 inches long). The ball used in squash is smaller and slower compared to the larger, bouncier ball used in racquetball.
3. Court Dimensions: Squash courts are 32 feet long, 21 feet wide, and 18 feet high. Racquetball courts are larger, and conversions of some U.S. racquetball courts to squash courts have not changed their original dimensions.
4. Service Rules: In squash, players must stand within a marked box on the court, and the ball must be sent to the opposite corner. In racquetball, players can stand anywhere in the service box, and the ball must drop behind the service box without hitting the back wall first.
5. Scoring: In racquetball, only the serving player can score points, while in squash, points can be scored by both players.
6. Popularity: Squash has an estimated 20 million players worldwide, while racquetball has around 5.6 million players.

In summary, squash and racquetball are unique sports with distinct differences in equipment, court dimensions, and game rules. While they share similarities, they offer different gameplay experiences for players.

Comparative Table: Squash vs Racquetball

Here is a table comparing the differences between squash and racquetball:

Squash and racquetball are both racket sports played on enclosed courts, but they have distinct differences in court dimensions, racket size, ball properties, and game rules.