What IsBeach Tennis?
A fast, addictive volley game on sand. think tennis meets volleyball, played with paddles and no bounce. Here is what it is and how it works.
Beach Tennis, Explained.
Beach tennis is a racket sport played on a sand court with a net, using solid perforated paddles and a depressurized (low-pressure) tennis ball. It blends tennis scoring with volleyball-style play: the ball is struck in the air and may not bounce, so points are fast, reflex-driven volleys. It is most often played as doubles (2 v 2), with singles and mixed doubles also common.
The court is the same footprint as a doubles beach volleyball court. 16 m long by 8 m wide. with a net at 1.70 m. There are no service boxes; the whole court is in play. Governed internationally by the ITF (International Tennis Federation), beach tennis has a growing professional tour and a huge recreational following, especially in Brazil and Italy.
How a point works
One player serves (underhand or overhand, usually a single attempt) from behind the baseline. The ball must be returned before it bounces. Rallies are short and explosive. winners come from angles, lobs, and smashes. Scoring uses tennis numbers (15, 30, 40, game) but is no-advantage: at 40-40 the next point decides the game.
Want the full ruleset? See beach tennis rules, or jump to how to play.
How BeachTennisRef.App Handles It.
- Pick singles or doubles and the app applies the correct ITF format automatically.
- It tracks serve, score, sets, the tie-break, and ends changes. you just tap who won the point.
- Works offline on the sand and shares a live scoreboard link for spectators.
Common Questions.
No. Beach tennis is played on sand with paddles (no strings) and a depressurized ball, and the ball may not bounce. it is a volley game. It borrows tennis scoring but with no-advantage points and its own serve and tie-break rules.
Both exist, but doubles (2 v 2) is by far the most common format, along with mixed doubles. Singles is played on the same court.
No. The ball must be played in the air. allowing it to bounce loses the point. This is the biggest difference from regular tennis.
Just Play. We'll Keep Score.
Beach tennis scoring with ITF rules built in. serve rotation, the tie-break, ends changes, and a live shareable scoreboard.
First matches free. Any device. No install.