The (English) Squash Rackets Association conducted its first British Open championship for men in 1930, using a 'challenge' system: Charles Read was designated champion, but was beaten in home and away matches by Don Butcher. This championship continues to this day, but now using a knockout format since 1947.
Since its inception, the men's British Open has been dominated by relatively few players: F. D. Amr Bey (Egypt) in the 1930s; Mahmoud Karim (Egypt) 1940s; brothers Hashim and Azam Khan (Pakistan) 1950s and 1960s; Jonah Barrington (Great Britain and Ireland) and Geoff Hunt (Australia) 1960s and 1970s; Jahangir Khan (Pakistan) 1980s; Jansher Khan (Pakistan) 1990s. Recent championships have been shared by players from England, Scotland, Wales, Australia and Canada.
The women's championship started in 1921, and has similarly been dominated by relatively few players: Nancy and Joyce Cave (England) in the 1920s; Margot Lumb (England) 1930s; Janet Morgan (England) 1950s; Heather McKay (Australia) 1960s and 1970s; Susan Devoy (New Zealand) 1980s; Michelle Martin (Australia) 1990s.
Because of its traditions, the British Open is considered by many to be more prestigious than the world championships, which commenced in the mid-1970s.
Heather McKay, with her lengthy and absolute dominance of the game during the 1960s and 1970s, is undoubtedly the greatest woman player of all time. Amongst the men, most modern commentators consider Hashim Khan (1950s) or (the unrelated) Jahangir Khan (1980s) to be the greatest men players. Other worthy contenders are Jonah Barrington, Geoff Hunt and Jansher Khan.
