"The hands are the instruments of man's intelligence," Maria Montessori once observed, recognising the profound connection between thought and touch.
In the world of squash, this connection is displayed with every flick of the wrist and every perfect rolling nick that stuns the opponent. The hand is not just part of the body—it is a tool of expression, an extension of the mind and will.
Each player’s hand tells a unique story, reflecting their individual style, strategy and personal relationship with the game.
This photo essay explores the diverse ways squash players wield their rackets, showcasing how no two grips are exactly alike. Coaches may advocate for specific techniques, offering a blueprint for how the racket should be held. However, the reality on the court is far more nuanced.
At the highest level, each player develops a grip that feels intuitive to them, as distinctive as their playing style - one likely moulded the very first time a racket was held. These grips, like a painter’s brushstrokes or a sculptor’s chisel marks, reveal the artistry inherent in the game.
Hands shape the very flow of the match. Just as Montessori saw the hand as a bridge between the mind and the world, on the squash court the hands are the bridge transforming thought into action, strategy into reality and practice into perfection.
Each grip is a testament to the uniqueness of the player, and in their hands, the game of squash becomes a canvas where intelligence and creativity converge.
Nour El Sherbini
Ali Farag
Mohamed ElShorbagy
Georgina Kennedy
Mazen Hesham
Karim Gawad
