While beach tennis today evokes the sun of Brazil or the Caribbean, its roots actually dive deep into the sand of European coasts. This sport, which has become an official and highly competitive discipline, was born from simple summer leisure before conquering international federations.

The Birth on the Italian Riviera

It all began in the late 1970s on the coasts of Romagna, Italy, specifically around Ravenna and Rimini.

• The Volleyball Pivot: The first players had the simple yet brilliant idea of using the beach volleyball courts already installed on the beaches to play tennis.

• Improvised Equipment: At the time, sophisticated rackets were not yet in use. Pioneers played with simple solid wooden paddles (the famous "tamburelli" or classic beach bats) and standard tennis balls.

• The Golden Rule: From the start, a fundamental rule defined the sport's identity: the ball must never touch the ground. This is what made it a pure volley sport.

Technical Evolution and the First Turning Point

For nearly twenty years, beach tennis remained a local Italian phenomenon. However, in the 1990s, the sport began to structure itself.

• Net Standardization: The net height was set at 1.70 m, an ideal compromise to allow powerful attacks while maintaining a spectacular defensive dimension.

• The Arrival of Carbon: Wooden paddles gave way to composite materials (fiberglass, carbon, Kevlar) with holes to reduce air resistance. These innovations significantly increased game speed.

• The Low-Pressure Ball: To make rallies longer and more tactical, the classic tennis ball was replaced by an orange ball (low pressure), which is lighter and less lively.

International Recognition by the ITF

The real global turning point occurred in 2008 when the International Tennis Federation (ITF) officially recognized beach tennis.

• A World Tour: This recognition led to the creation of the Beach Tennis World Tour, a professional circuit with tournaments across the globe.

• The Brazilian Explosion: While Italy invented the sport, Brazil became its second home. The climate and beach sports culture allowed beach tennis to become ultra-popular, producing some of today's best world players.

• A Sport for All: Today, beach tennis is present in over 50 countries. Its success is explained by its friendliness and accessibility.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Fun and Competition

Beach tennis has managed to preserve its festive DNA while becoming a high-level athletic discipline. From a simple paddle game on an Italian beach to being integrated into the programs of major international federations, it is this duality between the "beach spirit" and the technicality of the volley that continues to attract new practitioners every year.