Fontaine made the statement in a message on the impact of the coronavirus crisis on squash and the overall sporting movement.

"One of the first conclusions clearly indicates that we need to prepare ourselves for a lasting, shaky period of uncertainty," Fontaine wrote.

"International travel has been almost entirely stopped.

"For the travellers who decide to take the plane, they have to follow strict quarantine conditions which prevent the players/athletes from participating in any international events.

"Clearly squash’s challenges have a worldwide dimension as this crisis affects our global community.

"We all feel that our sport could be in great danger but we also know that squash has a real capacity to overcome this crisis if we are confident of the strength and potential of our sport and on the other hand if we can build a new positive mindset for the future

"We have to realise that a new framework is necessary to emerge from this crisis stronger.

"I am convinced we probably have to 'reshape' our sport and ensure its full resumption as many squash club owners, National Federations, squash stakeholders all over the world are trying to keep their activities alive.

"Squash’s recovery and future must be collectively constructed.

"The withdrawal will only worsen our capacity to rebound.

"A lonely recovery exercise is financially and technically unable to achieve what is at stake today.

"All our squash partners (of today and tomorrow) and the players are committed to show the unrivalled uniqueness of squash, but we should also use this particular period to think about new offer by all means."

Fontaine highlighted the challenges caused by the postponement and cancellation of several events, saying that traditional public financial support for competitions may be "rerouted to other legitimate priorities" due to the crisis.

He suggested this could lead to stronger competition from sporting bodies to receive funding from the private sector.

The challenge of social distancing for the sport was also noted, with squash considered as a "high risk" in several international studies.

Fontaine said the "assumption" has affected squash players of all levels and competitions.

WSF Medical Commission chair Anne Smith has been asked to review official guidelines to support members to help restart squash activities without endangering the health and safety of players.

It was claimed to be critical for members to provide local health authorities with documentation which shows how squash can be played in compliance with measures introduced by Governments.

Fontaine added that the sport’s economic partners are also suffering due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The WSF President said the organisation are working with the Professional Squash Association on projects which it hopes will benefit the sport and strengthen the relationship between bodies long-term.

"The WSF and PSA are the two entities which govern our sport with their specifics," Fontaine said.

"They are the pillars of the squash world landscape and I believe our strengthened relationship will enable us to collectively find the appropriate solutions for our sport.

"Several joint initiatives are currently under discussion to tackle all the challenges this coronavirus has brought to our sport and I’m confident squash will strongly benefit from this common willingness to partner and to put all efforts into the development of our sport from grass roots to the elite level.

"Innovation, empowerment and sustainability are the values that should lead our new thinking.

"The recovery phase will take time, but our sport has everything in its hands to emerge stronger than ever from this crisis.

"I am fully aware of the ongoing difficulties of many of our members however nobody will look after our sport except us and we have no option but to encourage a strong sense of solidarity within our community and consider innovation as the future backbone of our sport."