What is beach tennis? Sand Courts, Global Sport

If you're asking, what is beach tennis? Then you are in the right place, Beach Tennis is an exhilarating sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and volleyball, offers a unique and engaging athletic experience. This guide is designed to introduce you to the world of beach tennis, explaining its rules, gameplay, equipment, and the role of its governing body, while also highlighting its rising popularity. Beach tennis combines elements of tennis, beach volleyball, and badminton, creating a unique and exciting game.

This post aims to elucidate the rules, gameplay, and growing appeal of beach tennis, drawing from the International Tennis Federation's (ITF) 2023 rules.

The genesis of beach tennis can be traced back to the 1970s in Italy. It began as a casual beach activity, where players used wooden paddles and a tennis ball. The game was initially played over a simple net, often improvised, and without formal rules. This simplicity and accessibility contributed to its rapid popularity along the Italian coastlines.

As the sport gained popularity, the equipment evolved. The early wooden paddles were replaced with more sophisticated composite rackets, made of carbon fiber, fiberglass and foam specifically adapted for beach play. Which is what Copa Beach Tennis sells. The balls used also evolved, with depressurized tennis balls becoming the standard to suit the beach environment.

In the 1980s and 1990s, formal rules began to emerge. Local tournaments started to standardize the court dimensions, net height, and scoring systems. These developments were crucial in transforming beach tennis from a recreational activity to a more structured sport.

The standard beach tennis court measures 52.5 Feet (16 meters) in length and 26.25 Feet (8 meters) in width, similar in size to a beach volleyball court but a little smaller. The net, positioned at a height of 1.7 meters, is lower than in beach volleyball, allowing for a range of dynamic shots and volleys.

In beach tennis, players use solid, paddle rackets without strings, typically made from composite materials like carbon fiber or fiberglass. These rackets offer a larger sweet spot and are more suited to the beach environment. The ball used in beach tennis is depressurized, slightly larger and softer than a regular tennis ball, which adapts well to sand surfaces and outdoor play.

Drawing from the ITF 2023 rules, beach tennis shares similarities with regular tennis in scoring and service rules but has distinct differences. Matches are typically best-of-three sets, with each set played to six games. A tie-break is played at 6-6. The no-ad scoring system is employed, meaning games are won by the first player to reach four points, and at deuce (40-40), the next point wins the game.

Beach tennis is played either as singles or doubles, with doubles being more popular. The fundamental objective is to hit the ball over the net into the opponent's court without allowing it to bounce twice on one's own side. The scoring system is akin to that of regular tennis, including points, games, sets, and matches. However, there are some modifications:

Service alternates between teams, and each player must serve in rotation. The server must stand behind the baseline and can serve underhand or overhand. Unlike regular tennis, a let (when the ball touches the net on the serve and lands in the correct service box) is a fault in beach tennis.

The ball is allowed to bounce once before being returned, or players can choose to hit it in a volley (without a bounce), similar to beach volleyball. However, unlike beach volleyball, using any part of the body other than the racket to hit the ball is not permitted.

Sets: Matches are typically played as best of three sets, with each set played to six games.

Each point in beach tennis begins with a serve, which must be hit diagonally across the net into the opponent’s service box. Unlike lawn tennis, the server gets only one attempt. The ball must be struck while it is in the air. Players then rally the ball back and forth over the net until one side fails to return it correctly.

Several specific rules in beach tennis enhance the game's pace and excitement:

No Bounce: The ball cannot touch the ground on either side.

Touching the Net: Players are not allowed to touch the net during play.

Serving Rotation: In doubles, partners must alternate serving each game.

Doubles in beach tennis requires coordinated teamwork and strategy. Players often adopt specific positions – one at the net and the other further back – to cover the court effectively. Communication and positioning are key to success in doubles play.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) oversees beach tennis, ensuring standardized rules and organizing the ITF Beach Tennis Tour. This tour comprises various international tournaments, providing a platform for the world’s top players to compete.

The 2000s marked a significant era for beach tennis as it began to spread beyond Italy. Countries like Brazil, Spain, and the United States saw a growing interest in the sport, leading to the establishment of national and regional tournaments. The sport's appeal in beach destinations and its accessibility contributed to its international spread.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) recognized beach tennis in the mid-2000s, a pivotal moment that propelled the sport onto the global stage. The ITF's involvement brought standardized rules, international tournaments, and a ranking system, lending credibility and structure to beach tennis.

Beach tennis is rapidly gaining popularity worldwide, particularly in coastal areas and countries with beach volleyball or tennis traditions. Its accessibility, requiring minimal equipment, and the ability to be played by individuals of varying skill levels contribute to its growing appeal. The sport's festive, community-oriented atmosphere, often accompanied by music and beach festivities, further enhances its attractiveness.

The allure of beach tennis lies in its simplicity and the joy of playing a sport on the sand. It offers a full-body workout, emphasizing agility, reflexes, and coordination. The sport is also highly social, often bringing together friends and families for recreational play or spectating.