Racquetball is a racket sport played with a short-handled racket and a hollow rubber ball on a four-walled enclosed court, in which players alternate hitting the ball against the front wall while it may also strike any other wall in play. The sport was invented in the United States in 1950 by Joseph Sobek, who combined elements of handball, squash and paddleball. It is governed internationally by the International Racquetball Federation and, while it has been a demonstration or exhibition sport at some multi-sport games, is not part of the Olympic program.
Facts
Originating Region International Governing BodyInternational Racquetball Federation 1 Classification
Olympic Programme Status Connections
Derived From
Source Racquetball, Wikipedia
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Sources
1. Racquetball, Wikipedia
Invention section
Joseph Sobek invented the modern sport of racquetball in 1950, adding a stringed racquet to paddleball.
Location section
Joseph Sobek is credited with inventing the sport of racquetball in the Greenwich, Connecticut, YMCA.
Governance section
The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) is the international sports federation, recognized by the IOC, that governs the sport of racquetball.
Governing bodies section
Racquetball has also been included in the World Games on seven occasions: 1981, 1985, 1993, 2009, 2013, 2022, and 2025. The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) is the men's professional organization, and the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) is the women's professional organization, both starting in the 1980s. The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) is the international sports federation, recognized by the IOC, that governs the sport of racquetball.
Derived From: Squash, History section
devised a set of rules, based on those of squash, handball, and paddleball
Derived From: Handball, History section
devised a set of rules, based on those of squash, handball, and paddleball
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