Squash is coming to the 2028 Olympics. What to know about rules for new Olympic sport
One of the five new sports added to the Olympic Games for 2028, squash was invented in England in the early 19th century and has been played on a world-championship level since the 1970s.
Like tennis, squash is a racket sport. However, the squash racket is a more elongated, or triangular oval, as compared to a more circular oval racket seen in tennis.
Also, the competitors play inside a four-walled area, with the players on either side of a center line. All shots must hit the forward wall above a line 43 centimeters (17 inches) off the floor (the "tin line") and must be returned before bouncing twice on the floor.
The ball can be played off the side walls or the back wall as long as it hits above the tin line before hitting the floor.
Squash will be making its debut in Los Angeles after several previous applications to get Olympic status failed.
How to play squash
The game begins with one player serving from inside one of two service boxes, located in 1.6 meter square areas adjoining both side walls. The receiving player stands on the other side of the half-court (center) line.
The serve must hit the front wall between the service line (1.78 meters above the floor) and out line (4.57 meters) and land on the opposite side of the court between the back wall and the half-court line.
Players continue alternating shots until one side fails to make a legal return or the ball bounces twice. Points can also be lost for interfering with an opponent or for making contact with the ball with something other than a racket (such as a body part or a piece of clothing).
A player continues to serve, switching sides of the court after every point, until the server loses the point. Then, the other player takes over serving -- with the option of choosing either service box to start.
What is squash's scoring system?
The winner of a game in squash is the first to reach 11 points. However, a game must be won by at least two points.
With most matches being a best-of-five, the first side to win three games is declared the victor.
Who are the best squash players?
The top-ranked men's squash player is Ali Farag of Egypt. He's one of five Egyptians ranked among the world's top 10 players. The top-rated U.S. men's player is Timmy Brownell, 26, of Philadelphia, who's currently ranked No. 45 in the world.
The current No. 1 women's player is Nour El Sherbini of Egypt. The top-rated U.S. women's player is 30-year-old Amanda Sobhy of Philadelphia. Sobhy is ranked fifth in the world.
Squash champions to be crowned at 2023 Pan Am Games
Entrants from a total of 10 nations will compete in squash at the upcoming Pan American Games, which will be held October 31-November 5 in Santiago, Chile.
Medals will be awarded in singles, doubles, mixed doubles and the men's and women's team competitions.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Squash will be an Olympic sport in 2028: Rules, how to play and more
