It seems like Maddie Choi has always carried a racquet or paddle in her hand. Tennis, pickleball, even table tennis — she’s fond of them all.
But the Park Cities teenager didn’t find her true passion until she tried squash, a niche sport in which she’s now ranked in the top 100 in the country in her age group.
Choi’s enthusiasm extends off the court and into Rally for Squash, a nonprofit she started last summer aimed at growing the sport’s popularity, most notably for her generation.
“Squash is really not that accessible here in Dallas, especially for younger kids who want to try out the sport — and especially for girls, because this sport is very male-dominant,” said Choi, who is a junior at Hockaday. “Squash resources here are very limited. Not everyone has the opportunity to travel every weekend to tournaments. I started this so I could give younger kids the opportunity to see what the sport is like.”
Squash is played in a four-walled court with a hollow rubber ball, using racquets that are longer and thinner than those for tennis. The sport, which originated overseas more than a century ago, will be featured at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, which could help boost its popularity.
Choi’s first introduction came in seventh grade, and she was instantly hooked by the combination of speed and strategy.
“I didn’t even know this sport existed. It’s super fast-paced and it’s so technically difficult. The whole motion of the swing is different,” she said. “It’s really intense when you’re moving so fast in a tiny box.”
Choi trains frequently at a club in Houston where some of the best players in the country are based. She’s played as far away as Egypt, and earlier this year participated in the British Junior Open.
Competition closer to home is scarce, and that’s what Choi hopes to rectify through Rally for Squash. The group has conducted clinics at local recreation centers, held a fundraiser for kids in the Houston area, and given community presentations on the sport’s history and rules.
The entire leadership team consists of high school students looking to leverage the value of peer role models or mentors. Choi is particularly focused on creating opportunities for young girls.
“I saw that around me, it was really just guys that I had to play with. It was difficult to adapt,” Choi said. “They can see other people who are closer to their own age, so the younger generation can be inspired.”
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