By RADL Wire Staff
As the fireworks fade and summer stretches ahead, beach lovers across the country are trading in their towels and frisbees for something with a little more bounce—beach tennis. Blending the sun-soaked spirit of beach volleyball with the competitive thrill of racquet sports, beach tennis is capturing attention from Malibu to Miami, with permanent courts, pop-up tournaments, and a fast-growing community of players ready to serve, spike, and smash their way through the season.
Whether you’re a lifelong tennis fan or just looking to mix up your beach day, beach tennis offers a dynamic, low-barrier way to stay active and connected—with little more than a net, a paddle, and a passion for play.
The Origins: From the Mediterranean to Maryland
Beach tennis traces its roots back to the early 1970s on the sun-drenched shores of Lido degli Estensi, Italy. There, vacationing tennis players began improvising games over volleyball nets, using traditional tennis rackets and slightly deflated balls. The new game was fast, fun, and contagious.
By 1995, the International Beach Tennis Federation (IFBT) was established to codify the rules and promote the sport globally. Growth surged in coastal Europe and then South America, where Brazil now boasts over three million beach tennis players, rivaling national pastimes like soccer.
In the U.S., the sport gained momentum during the COVID lockdowns. Frustrated by the closure of tennis courts during the pandemic, Thomas Macleod decided to head to the beach, where he discovered Beach Tennis. As he began to learn about this sport, he uncovered a growing international phenomenon that was gaining popularity worldwide. His interest soon turned into a passion, which led to the creation of Beach Tennis Maryland. Macleod is now organizing tournaments and installing both permanent and temporary court fixtures throughout the mid-Atlantic region.
The Basics: How to Play Beach Tennis
At its core, beach tennis is about volleying, reflexes, and nonstop action. Unlike traditional tennis, the ball is never allowed to hit the sand. Players use paddle-style racquets to keep the ball in the air, aiming to score points by forcing errors or hitting clean winners.
Key Rules:
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No Bounces: The ball must be hit in the air—no groundstrokes allowed.
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Scoring: Matches are best-of-three sets. Each set goes to six games with no-advantage scoring (sudden death at deuce).
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Serve Rules: Only one serve per point; no second chances. Net serves that land in are playable—no lets.
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Court Size: The court is 16m x 8m for doubles (same as a beach volleyball court), with a net height of 1.8m for men and 1.7m for women and juniors.
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Equipment: Paddles are solid, stringless frames, and balls are low-compression, similar to junior tennis balls.
Why It’s Taking Off
Beach tennis is more than just a game—it’s a lifestyle sport. With minimal gear and a welcoming culture, it offers instant gratification for newcomers and serious competitive outlets for experienced players. It’s cardio without the monotony, strategy without the stress.
What’s more, the sport aligns perfectly with the boom in paddle-based racquet sports like pickleball and padel. Brands such as Drop Shot, Shark Beach Tennis, NOX, and SECY Brand are investing in beach-specific gear, with eye-catching designs and performance-focused features tailored to the demands of sun, salt, and sand.
Young competetive man, athlete in singlasses playing paddle tennis, training outdoors on warm summer evening. Match. Concept of sport, leisure time, active lifestyle, hobby, game, summertime, ad
Where to Play in the U.S.
The U.S. beach tennis scene is heating up fast, with regional hubs popping up on both coasts and beyond:
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Southern California & Miami: The OLA network offers open play and tournaments in key cities like Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and South Beach.
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South Florida: I Do Beach Tennis runs an academy with night and weekend classes, plus a well-stocked online shop for paddles, balls, and apparel.
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Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Beach Tennis Maryland provides equipment rentals, instructional clinics, and tournament play across Ocean City, Betterton Beach, and permanent installations in Chestertown and Galena.
And if there’s no beach tennis scene near you? No problem. With a portable net, a few paddles, and a pressure-reduced tennis ball, you can build your own court in minutes—no permit required.
Final Serve
Beach tennis is more than a vacation pastime—it’s a fast, inclusive, and addictive racquet sport that’s finding its footing across America. As the racquet industry continues to grow and evolve, expect to see beach tennis move from the fringes to the forefront.
So this summer, don’t hang up your racquet. Take it to the sand—and discover a sport where every point starts with a serve, and ends in a smile.
Resources to Learn More:
