By Tom Poor
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Like most people, I have a quirky habit: I like to buy things in bulk. Now this affliction is okay if you’re stocking up on frozen meats or deodorant sticks. It’s not so good if you buy in bulk items that are likely to improve with advancements in technology. That’s how I came to be stuck in 1978 with 20 Spalding World wooden racquets that I thought were the last word for my doubles game.
The technological improvements in squash, like tennis, have centered on racquets. Oh sure, we have snazzier protective glasses and sneakers which are more supportive and comfortable, but the change in racquets in shape, weight and composition over the 40+ years I’ve been playing have been remarkable.
I can remember beginning to play with the wooden Bancroft in the early ’60s. This behemoth (by today’s standards) had a single throat, round face and weighed close to 12 ounces. It cracked easily, had thick strings and no competition. In succeeding years other names appeared with variations on the same theme: Craigin-Simplex, Grays (popular in Europe), Wilson, and others.
As the squash market slowly grew, more companies entered the racquet business. I first became aware of significant changes in the mid-’80s with the arrival of Prince. Head and others soon followed. The squash racquet now had a framed triangular throat to reduce torque, was made of composite graphite and even titanium, was more oval in the face and most dramatic of all, weighed less than six ounces.
These whippet racquets have changed the game by enabling players to hit the ball with more power yet be much more deceptive with shots since the weight allows a more deceptive short stroke, powered by the forearm rather than the full arm required of heavier racquets. The resulting diversity of shots has often provided more attractive games to both watch and play; however, the downside is that almost any ball is reachable until your conditioning begins to fail. In the professional softball game superb conditioning, racquet control and the height of the tin has made the risk/reward trade-off tilted too much towards playing safely up and down the walls. This style is not overly entertaining.
The same is true in North American doubles. Yes, the professionals are bigger, better conditioned and play constantly compared to amateurs years ago. But the light racquets encourage these players to pound the ball mercilessly, aiming for points on opponents’ errors or dead nicks. After a while, this approach is not great fun to watch either. In Boston, the pros use a singles hardball in their doubles tournament to reward more artistry and skill—a much more entertaining match for spectators. And the pros are amenable; if the money’s right, they’d play with a rock. After all, they’re in the entertainment business.
Have I learned my lesson? Nope. In my basement are 12 Head 140G’s, the greatest racquet for doubles known to man (until I try another).
Tom Poor has won many singles and doubles national titles during his 50 years in the game.
Read Chris Walker's thoughts on technology and squash HERE.
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