Beach tennis is a doubles-focused racquet sport played on sand with a low net and solid paddle racquets, governed internationally by the ITF.
Beach tennis looks like a cross between tennis and volleyball, but the differences matter more than the similarities. It’s played on a sand court — not a hard court — with a depressurized ball and paddle-style racquets that have no strings. The sport has exploded in popularity over the past decade, and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) now publishes official rules and regulations that define everything from court dimensions to net heights.
Whether you’re thinking about trying it at a local club or just spotted it during a beach vacation, here’s what makes beach tennis its own sport, plus the exact rules you need to know before stepping onto the sand.
The Court And Net: Exact Dimensions
The official beach tennis court is smaller than a standard tennis court, and the net hangs much lower than you might expect. The ITF’s “Rules of Beach Tennis 2025” document specifies a court that is 16.0 meters long and 8.0 meters wide for doubles — the standard format for the sport.
Singles matches, which are rarer but still played, use a narrower court at 4.5 meters wide. The length stays the same either way, and juniors playing U18 competition use the same full-size court rather than a scaled-down version.
Net height varies by event category, which is one of the most common setup errors. Men’s pro events use a net height of 1.80 meters. Women’s pro, mixed doubles pro, and junior U18 events all use a net height of 1.70 meters. So if you’re setting up for a mixed game, measure carefully — using the wrong height changes the entire rhythm of play.
Equipment And Playing Style
Beach tennis uses a solid paddle-style racquet — no strings, just a rigid hitting surface that’s usually made of carbon fiber or similar composite materials. The ball is a standard tennis ball, but it’s depressurized to roughly half the normal pressure, which slows it down considerably and makes long rallies the norm.
The ITF rules govern equipment standards alongside court dimensions, so tournament play requires approved paddles. For casual play, almost any beach tennis paddle works, and the sport is forgiving enough that beginners can rally within their first session.
Gameplay is fast and aggressive. Because the court is compact and the ball is slow, points often hinge on sharp angles, overhead smashes, and reflex volleys at the net. Doubles is the format that defines the sport, and most recreational players never compete in singles at all.
How Scoring Works
Scoring follows standard tennis conventions, but matches are quicker. Sets are typically first to 6 games, and a set tiebreak is played at 6-6. Matches are usually best of three sets, though recreational play often condenses this to a single set or a timed match.
The fast pace comes from the serving rules: each player serves for one full game in rotation, and the serve is an underhand or overhand shot that must land in the diagonal service box. If you’ve played tennis, the structure feels familiar — but the sand underfoot changes everything about positioning and footwork.
Getting Started
You don’t need a tennis background to enjoy beach tennis, but you do need sand. The most common mistake new players make is trying to play on a regular hard court with beach tennis equipment. Beach tennis demands a sand court — the surface is part of the sport’s identity and strategy, affecting both movement and bounce.
If you’re ready to give it a try, you’ll need a paddle, a depressurized ball, and a group of three other players for your first doubles match. Courts are common at beach clubs and resorts, and many cities now have indoor sand courts for year-round play. Browse our tested picks for beach tennis equipment to find a paddle that fits your budget and playing level before you hit the sand.
For the complete official picture, the ITF’s Rules of Beach Tennis 2025 document covers court markings, equipment standards, scoring, and conduct in full detail. The ITF also maintains a beach tennis rules and regulations hub where you can check for the latest updates.
| Element | Official Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court length | 16.0 m | Same for doubles, singles, and U18 |
| Court width | 8.0 m doubles / 4.5 m singles | Doubles is the standard format |
| Net height | 1.80 m men’s / 1.70 m women’s, mixed, U18 | Differs by event category |
| Racquet | Solid paddle, no strings | Carbon fiber or composite |
| Ball | Depressurized tennis ball | About half normal pressure |
FAQs
Is beach tennis the same as beach volleyball?
No. Beach volleyball uses a net more than 2 meters high and a large inflatable ball, with players using their hands and arms. Beach tennis uses a lower net, a paddle racquet, and a depressurized tennis ball, and the scoring follows tennis conventions rather than volleyball’s rally scoring.
Do I need to be good at regular tennis to play beach tennis?
No, and many beach tennis players never played tennis before. The slower ball and compact court make rallies more forgiving, and the sand forces a different style of movement. Solid hand-eye coordination helps, but the sport is beginner-friendly compared to its hard-court cousin.
Can beach tennis be played indoors?
Yes. Many clubs now offer indoor sand courts that keep the same playing dimensions and surface year-round. The sport’s governing body applies the same ITF rules whether the court sits outdoors on a beach or inside a dedicated facility.
References & Sources
- International Tennis Federation. “Rules of Beach Tennis 2025.” Official rulebook covering court dimensions, net heights, equipment, and scoring.
- International Tennis Federation. “Tennis Rules and Regulations – Beach Tennis.” Current regulatory hub for beach tennis governance.