Beach tennis

History of Beach Tennis

Beach tennis was born in Italy in the 1970s, when vacationing tennis players began using beach paddles on beach volleyball courts. The modern format took shape in 1996 on the Romagna coast, preserving tennis-style rules but with the all-volley requirement.

From 2003, the first official events were held in Emilia-Romagna and Lazio. In 2005, the inaugural European Championships took place, and in 2009 Rome hosted the first ITF World Championship. In 2010, the sport was officially recognized by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), and in 2012 Moscow staged the first team World Championship.

Today there is a global circuit with over 2 million dollars in prize money, and many athletes ranked within the ITF top 20–30 are full-time professionals.

How to Play Beach Tennis

Beach tennis can be played in doubles (the most common format) or in singles on a smaller court (4.5 m wide). Match formats vary by tournament:

• One set to 6 games (typical in qualifying groups)
• One set to 9 games
• Best of three sets, with a third-set match tie-break to 10 points or a standard third set

The goal is to strike the ball in the air and land it within the opponent’s court—without allowing any bounce.

Beach Tennis Rules

Beach tennis stands out for a set of simple yet specific rules that make it unique. The golden rule? The ball must never touch the ground—play is exclusively on the volley.

Court and Dimensions

The regulation beach tennis court measures 16 m x 8 m with a central net. Net height varies by category:

• 1.80 m for men’s competitions
• 1.70 m for women’s, mixed, and junior categories
• 1.50 m for under-12, played on a reduced 14 m x 7 m court

The playing surface is sand, which makes movement more demanding and rallies more dynamic and spectacular.

The Ball

Beach tennis balls must be Stage 2 (MID) and recognized by the ITF (International Tennis Federation). They are slightly depressurized compared to standard tennis balls to lower speed and promote a more technical, controlled game.

The Paddle/Racket

Beach tennis rackets are stringless, with a solid face perforated for better aerodynamics. Maximum size limits:

• 50 cm length
• 30 cm width

They’re built from technical materials such as carbon fiber, fiberglass, or Kevlar to ensure lightness, precision, and resistance to humidity.

Serve

Each point starts with the serve, executed from behind the baseline. The ball must cross the net and land in the opponent’s court without ever bouncing. There are no second serves as in tennis: it’s a single-serve format, so a service fault immediately awards the point to the opponent.

Rallies and the No-Bounce Rule

After the serve, the ball must always be struck in the air: bounces are never allowed. This makes play fast, spectacular, and physical. Volleys, smashes, and controlled shots are all permitted—provided the ball never touches the sand.

If the ball bounces or a team hits it twice in the same rally, the point goes to the opponent.

Scoring System

• Points are counted 15–30–40–game
• A set is won by reaching 6 games with at least a two-game margin
• At 6–6, a tie-break is played
• Matches may be best of three sets, with the third set played as a match tie-break (to 10 points) depending on tournament rules

Ends Change

Players switch ends at the end of the 1st, 3rd, and every odd game. During a tie-break, ends are changed after the first point and then every 4 points to maintain balanced playing conditions.

Beach Tennis Playing Levels

Beach tennis is inclusive and accessible to everyone, regardless of age or experience. From beginners to pros, it offers room for fun, training, and competition across four main tiers:

• Amateur: ideal for newcomers or those who play purely for fun. Recommended paddles are lightweight and easy to handle—perfect for developing touch and technique without fatigue.
• Intermediate: for players with solid stroke mechanics and court positioning. At this stage, matches are more structured—often in local or amateur tournaments—with a focus on balancing power and control.
• Advanced / Competitive: athletes who compete regularly in officially sanctioned events, with strong technical, tactical, and physical skills. Paddles are high-performance with advanced materials and customized features.
• Professional: the top tier, reserved for players on the ITF (International Tennis Federation) circuit. These athletes compete internationally with official rankings and technical sponsors.

Beach tennis tournaments are often organized by level to ensure balanced matches and motivating challenges, allowing each player to face opponents of similar skill.

What You Need to Play Beach Tennis

You don’t need much to get started—but the right gear makes the experience better. Essentials include:

• A dedicated beach tennis paddle (stringless), built with light and durable materials such as carbon or fiberglass.
• Stage 2 (MID) balls, slightly depressurized and ITF-approved.
• A sand court with a regulation net.
• Comfortable, breathable sportswear suitable for movement on sand.

What to Wear for Beach Tennis

Clothing for beach tennis should be practical, lightweight, and suited to heat and sand. Freedom of movement is essential to handle jumps, sprints, and volleys with ease. Generally, it’s best to wear:

• Breathable technical tanks or T-shirts
• Performance shorts or swim briefs
• Visors or caps for sun protection
• Sport sunglasses to improve visibility and shield from sand and glare
• Barefoot or neoprene booties, depending on preference and court conditions

The style is often colorful and free—just like the spirit of beach tennis: athletic with a personal, summery touch.

Beach Tennis vs. Padel

Both are modern, popular racket sports, but their techniques and dynamics are completely different.

Beach tennis is played on sand and the ball must never bounce: every shot is a volley, creating a fast, acrobatic, continuous rhythm. The court is open, with no walls, and moving on sand demands great agility.

Padel, by contrast, is played on a hard surface where the bounce is integral to rallies. Side and back walls can be used to return the ball, producing tactical exchanges with lots of variety. Padel rackets are thicker and heavier, and gameplay is more technical and strategic.

In short, padel feels closer to traditional tennis, while beach tennis blends tennis, volleyball, and showmanship.

Beach Tennis vs. Pickleball

Although both are emerging and engaging, beach tennis and pickleball differ in pace, equipment, and playing surface.

Beach tennis is played on sand with stringless, perforated paddles, and the ball must never touch the ground. The rhythm is fast, all shots are taken in the air, and matches are usually outdoors in sunny, informal settings.

Pickleball is played on a smaller, hard court similar to badminton dimensions, with flat, non-perforated paddles and a perforated plastic ball. The game is slower and more strategic, with rules that include bounces and a non-volley zone near the net.

Beach tennis emphasizes speed and physical intensity; pickleball focuses on precision, positioning, and controlled tempo.

Ball Certification

Quicksand beach tennis balls are certified by the FITP (Italian Tennis & Padel Federation), guaranteeing their quality for official competitions in Italy.

Specifically, Quicksand beach tennis balls are ITF Stage 2 approved for tournaments and sanctioned events—ideal for all playing levels and for athletes seeking professional performance.