6 Reasons why Squash is the Hardest Sport

Squash confronts players with relentless physical and mental challenges.

It combines high-intensity sprints with precision under pressure.

But why is squash considered the hardest sport?

This compelling question merits a deep dive into the sport’s demanding nature.

Table of Contents

#1 Relentless Intensity: A Squash Rally is a Sprinting Battle
#2 Precision Under Duress: Accuracy When Exhausted
#3 Tactical Sophistication: Chess at Breakneck Speed
#4 Brutal Solo Training: Preparation Requires Isolation
#5 Extreme Physical Demands: The Composite Athlete
#6 Mental Grit in the Glass Box: Pressure in a Fishbowl
Do you agree?

#1 Relentless Intensity: A Squash Rally is a Sprinting Battle

Unlike many sports where play ebbs and flows with moments of low activity, squash is a constant barrage of high-intensity rallies.

Players often maintain a heart rate upwards of 80% of their maximum throughout the entire match, due to the non-stop movement and rapid changes in direction.

Professional squash players can run more than 4 km in an hour-long match, with the added challenge of having to instantly stop, pivot, and sprint numerous times per point.

This is analogous to repeatedly running the 100-meter dash with little to no recovery time in between.

Squash demands not just endurance but also the ability to repeatedly exert maximum effort after having done so again and again – a clear indication of its brutal intensity.

#2 Precision Under Duress: Accuracy When Exhausted

In squash, the accuracy required for each shot is extraordinary.

The standard squash court measures 9.75 by 6.4 meters, and professionals aim to hit a ball approximately the size of a golf ball into areas of the court that can be as small as a few dozen centimeters.

They do this while the ball travels at speeds exceeding 150 mph, requiring split-second timing and impeccable hand-eye coordination.

To add to the challenge, this precision has to be maintained while the player is under considerable physiological stress.

Data suggests pros can maintain shot accuracy of over 90% while under match duress, a testament to the skill and concentration squash demands.

#3 Tactical Sophistication: Chess at Breakneck Speed

The tactical element in squash is like playing chess while running a marathon.

Players must constantly think several moves ahead, setting traps and crafting points while on the fly.

The variety of shots, including drives, boasts, drops, and lobs, combined with the angles and spins that a player must read and respond to, make for a deeply strategic battle.

A study analyzing squash tactics found that championship-level players make up to 4 tactical changes per game, illustrating the need for quick strategic thinking intertwined with physical prowess.

#4 Brutal Solo Training: Preparation Requires Isolation

Unlike many team sports where training can be a social and group-oriented activity, much of squash training is done alone.

Players spend countless hours on solo drills, focusing on shot repetition and accuracy.

The level of self-motivation required to engage in such solitary and repetitive training at the highest level is enormous.

It’s not uncommon for elite squash players to spend 6 to 8 hours a day training, with the majority of this time spent on court, alone.

#5 Extreme Physical Demands: The Composite Athlete

Squash demands an athlete to be a master of several forms of physicality.

They must exhibit the strength of a weightlifter for power shots, the flexibility of a gymnast to stretch and retrieve impossible balls, and the reflexes of a sprinter for quick bursts of speed.

Research indicates that a professional squash player exhibits a VO2 max – a measure of the maximum volume of oxygen an athlete can use – that is among the highest of athletes, rivaling even that of long-distance runners.

Moreover, caloric expenditure during a match can exceed 1000 calories per hour, showing the immense energy requirement of the sport.

#6 Mental Grit in the Glass Box: Pressure in a Fishbowl

Squash courts, often referred to as a “glass box,” place players in an enclosed, transparent arena where every emotion and physical reaction is on display.

This creates an intense pressure cooker environment where mental toughness is key.

Studies have shown that mental stamina in squash is critical, with players needing to remain composed and tactical despite immense physical strain and the scrutiny of spectators from all angles.

This aspect of the game requires a level of psychological resilience that is arguably unmatched in other sports.