World Rackets Championships

'Rackets' is the ancient forerunner of squash and began in the 18th-century Debtors’ Prisons like the King’s Bench and the Fleet. Gentlemen debtors in search of amusement, exercise and the chance to gamble on a game of skill began knocking a small hard ball around the walls of the outdoor courtyards where they spent part of their day. This fast and furious game soon caught on in the public schools and fashionable ale-houses would often erect an outdoor court to attract more customers (and encourage them to work up a thirst.)

Nowadays there are around 30 rackets courts in Britain, several of them in the public schools which mostly run evening clubs, so the game is now played by people from a variety of backgrounds, many with a grounding in squash, tennis or cricket because to play it to a high standard demands fast reflexes, anticipation and speed of foot.

'Rackets' is played on high, black-walled indoor courts using chunky wooden rackets like longer and more powerful squash rackets and the scoring system and rules are very similar to squash. The small, hard, white ball cracks around the walls at speeds of up to 180 mph and the game is believed to be the world’s fastest rackets sport, just holding the edge over Pelota.

This World challenge was between the holder, US-based British professional Neil Smith, and former world champion James Male. It was staged over 2 legs, one in New York and the 2nd round in London.

In the end, it was a ​victory for the double-handed Male, an outstanding all-rounder who is also a top Real Tennis player, gives him the chance of an extraordinary double; becoming the first man this century to hold the world Real Tennis and rackets championships simultaneously.

Filmed in 2001 at St Pauls School, London.