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An Introduction to Beach Tennis
Welcome to the exciting world of Beach Tennis! Imagine a sport that blends the fast-paced action of tennis, the laid-back vibe of the beach, and the teamwork of volleyball. That's beach tennis in a nutshell.
It's played on a sand court with paddle bats and a low-compression (orange) tennis ball. The goal is simple: hit the ball over the net, so your opponents can't return it before it touches the sand. It's a social, fun, and athletic sport that's easy for beginners to pick up but offers endless room for mastery. Beach tennis offers a highly aerobic cardio workout with low impact to the knees and joints because it is played on sand.
The story of beach tennis begins on the sunny shores of Ravenna, Italy, in the early 1970s. Initially started by vacationing tennis players looking for a fun way to play on the sand, the sport quickly gained popularity along the Italian coastline, and what began as a casual beach game evolved into a structured sport.
In 2008, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) officially recognized and began managing beach tennis, helping to standardize the rules and promote its growth worldwide. The ITF now manages the most well-known and reputable international ranking of beach-tennis players. Today, it is a global sport, with vibrant communities and professional tournaments held on beaches from Brazil to Japan.
Beginner's Guide: Getting Started
Ready to hit the sand? Here are a few tips to get you started on your beach tennis journey.
Your First Time
The best way to learn is to play! Join a social game and don't be afraid to ask questions. The community is welcoming, and everyone was a beginner once. Focus on making contact with the ball and having fun.
Basic Shots
- Serve: Start with a simple underhand serve. It's easier to control and will help you get points started consistently. As you improve, you can develop a more powerful overhand serve.
- Volley: This is your bread and butter. Stand ready, keep your paddle up, and use a short, compact motion to block the ball back over the net. Aim for consistency, not power.
- Lob: A high, deep shot that sends your opponents scrambling to the back of the court. It's a great defensive shot to buy yourself time.
- Drop Shot: A soft, delicate shot that barely clears the net, forcing your opponents to run forward. It's a great surprise tactic.
- Smash: When your opponent hits a high, short ball, this is your chance to be aggressive. Hit down on the ball with force to end the point.
Buying Your First Racket
Once you've played a few times, you may want to invest in your own racket. Here's what you need to know:
Budget: Beach tennis paddles range from $30 to $300+ depending on brand and materials. As a beginner, expect to spend $50-$100 for a solid starter racket.
Material: Most rackets are made from:
- Fiberglass: Good balance of price and performance.
- Carbon Fiber: Premium option, lightweight and highly responsive, but more expensive
Weight: Lighter rackets (< 300g) are easier to maneuver, while heavier ones (> 300g) generate more power. Beginners should start with lighter options.
Recommendations:
- Start with a mid-range fiberglass or beginner carbon fiber racket
- Look for brands that specialize in beach tennis (avoid regular tennis rackets)
- Try borrowing or testing different rackets at the club before buying
- Consider getting a racket cover and grip tape to extend the life of your equipment
Popular beach tennis brands include Sandever, Ianoni, Shark, Drop Shot, and Nox. Focus on finding a racket that feels comfortable in your hand rather than overspending. Sandever rackets are available at Decathlon (SG), while other brands can be found online through Amazon, AliExpress or their official websites.
The Rules of the Game
Learn The Rules Of Beach Tennis | ITF (video)
rules-of-beach-tennis-2026.pdf
While it shares a name with tennis, beach tennis has its own unique set of rules.
The Court & Equipment
- Court: A standard beach volleyball court (16m long x 8m wide).
- Net: The net is 1.8m high for men, 1.7m for women and mixed.
- Paddles: Players use solid paddles (no strings) made of materials like carbon fiber or fiberglass.
- Ball: A low-compression "Stage 2" (orange) tennis ball is used, which is slightly larger and softer than a standard tennis ball, making it perfect for rallies on the sand.
Scoring
- Scoring is identical to tennis: 15, 30, 40, and game.
- The key difference is no-ad scoring. At deuce (40-40), the next point wins the game (sudden death).
Gameplay
- The Serve: You only get one serve per point. The serve can be overhand or underhand, and you must serve from behind the baseline. If the serve hits the net and lands in the opponent's court (a "let"), it is in play and the rally continues.
- The Rally: The ball cannot bounce on the sand. All shots are volleys. A point is lost if you fail to return the ball over the net, hit it out of bounds, or let it touch the sand on your side.
- Net Play: Players are not allowed to touch the net or the posts with their body or paddle during a point.
Winning a Match
- Matches are typically played as the best of three sets.
- A set is won by the first team to win 6 games with a margin of at least two games (e.g., 6-4).
- If the score reaches 6-6 in a set, a tie-break is usually played to decide the winner of the set.