An Interview with Lewis Doughty, Winner of the 2026 British Squash Open Masters Championships.
Winning the 2026 British Open Masters Championship is a milestone many players would celebrate as the pinnacle of their career. For Lewis Doughty, however, it’s simply another step in an ongoing journey of improvement.
Now Head of Squash at Wimbledon Racquets Club, Lewis has successfully balanced elite competition with coaching, bringing fresh perspectives from the court into every lesson he delivers. His philosophy is refreshingly simple: great players, great coaches and never stop learning.
Preparing for a Masters tournament isn’t dramatically different from preparing for any other event, according to Lewis. The focus remains on constant refinement.
“I’m always looking for ways to improve my own game,” he explains. “As a coach, it’s important to keep checking in on your own technique because it’s easy to fall into habits when you’re spending so much time feeding and coaching.”
That mindset extends beyond technical work. Long hours in the gym and on court build the physical resilience needed for demanding matches, while confidence comes from knowing the preparation has been done properly.
The Masters circuit itself has become a rewarding experience, bringing together former professionals and passionate competitors who continue to share ideas and push one another to improve.
Lewis’ move to Wimbledon Racquets & Fitness Club marked a significant shift in his career.
Taking on the role of Head of Squash naturally meant placing greater emphasis on coaching than personal competition, but it hasn’t diminished his own ambitions as a player.
Coaching and competing have become mutually beneficial. Competing regularly in both the Surrey leagues and for Warrington Squash Club has helped Lewis continue playing some of the best squash of his career, while the experiences gained in competition feed directly into his coaching sessions.
At the same time, he’s focused on creating something bigger than individual success. His vision is to establish Wimbledon as one of the country’s leading squash hubs, growing a junior programme alongside a community that continues to compete at a high level.
Throughout his career, Lewis has worked with outstanding coaches, and one lesson has remained with him. “Start the exercise well.” Simple advice, but incredibly effective.
The quality of focus and intent at the beginning of any practice often determines the value of everything that follows. It’s a principle he now passes on to his own players, alongside another coaching priority: creating a positive environment where players enjoy learning.
Whether coaching beginners or elite athletes, Lewis believes players improve most when they’re engaged, encouraged and challenged in equal measure. Like many young professionals, Lewis once measured success through rankings and tournament results. Over time, that perspective changed.
Rather than obsessing over rankings, his focus shifted towards becoming a better player every single day. That might mean refining a particular shot, improving movement, or simply arriving early enough to prepare properly.
It’s a philosophy reinforced by watching the world’s very best. The top players consistently win the tight moments, the 11-9s and 12-10s and those decisive points are often built upon countless hours spent mastering the fundamentals.
For Lewis, coaching isn’t just about passing on knowledge; it’s about continuing to experience the game yourself. Training and competing regularly provide fresh ideas, new challenges and a deeper understanding of what players experience under pressure.
Those experiences make conversations with players more authentic and more practical.
The strongest coach-player relationships, Lewis believes, are collaborative. Sharing personal experiences often helps players see problems from a completely different perspective.
When asked what he enjoys coaching most, the answer isn’t complicated.
-Accuracy.
-Quality line hitting.
-Controlling the pace of rallies.
-Understanding when to change it.
The beauty of these fundamentals, he says, is that they apply equally to beginners and professionals. One session in particular stands out each week: the women’s beginner and intermediate group on Friday mornings.
Watching players suddenly understand a concept, grow in confidence and begin enjoying the game even more is one of the most rewarding parts of coaching.
Although Lewis continues to compete whenever opportunities arise, his greatest ambition now lies in developing the sport.
Growing squash at Wimbledon Racquets Club remains his biggest priority, particularly through building a thriving junior programme and creating opportunities for players of all ages and abilities.
When asked what advice he’d give parents, his answer may surprise some. Rather than specialising too early, Lewis encourages children to play as many sports as possible.
-Football develops movement and agility.
-Tennis improves racket skills.
-Athletics builds speed.
-Even cricket helps with hand-eye coordination.
Each sport contributes valuable skills that eventually transfer onto the squash court. Above all else, though, one principle matters most.
“If children are having fun, developing movement skills and building a love for sport, the technical side can always follow.”
It’s a philosophy that perfectly reflects Lewis Doughty’s own journey, from elite competitor to British Open Masters Champion, coach and leader committed to helping the next generation discover the same passion for the game.
Lewis provides private coaching at WR&FC and also supports group sessions for different levels and age groups. Please feel free to enquire by emailing:
lewis.doughty@wimbledonclub.co.uk