Joseph Sobek

Joseph Sobek (April 5, 1918 – March 27, 1998) was an American professional tennis and handball player, who invented racquetball in 1949; originally called "paddle rackets".^[1][2][3] Sobek founded the National Paddle Rackets Association in 1952^[3] and was the first person to be inducted into the Racquetball Hall of Fame.^[1][2][4]

Joseph Sobek sporting his own designed "paddle racket"

Joseph Sobek
2021
Born	Joseph George Sobek (1918-04-05)April 5, 1918 Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
Died	March 27, 1998(1998-03-27) (aged 79) Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
Occupation	Professional Tennis player
Years active	1937–1985
Known for	Inventor of Racquetball and founder of Paddle Rackets Association
Spouse	Nancy Erlichman
Children	1