Beach tennis has gone from being a pastime to a full-fledged sport

In Ukraine, beach tennis is still often perceived as a seasonal pastime by the sea. However, in fact, it is one of the most dynamically developing and technically sophisticated beach sports, which has already formed a professional international ecosystem and continues to gain popularity all over the world.

Beach tennis did not originate in the tropics at all, but in Italy in the late 1970s. The first matches were played with ordinary tennis rackets, and from the very beginning the game itself was characterised by a strict rule: the ball must not touch the sand - all the games are played from the flight. The high net (about 170 cm) and the doubles format make the game particularly demanding for coordination and co-operation between partners.

Unique rules distinguish beach tennis from classical tennis. The serve is executed from below or from the waist level, power serves from above are prohibited. Topspin is practically not used in the game - flat and slashing strokes prevail, and the decisive role is played by reaction, reading the trajectory of the ball and speed of decision-making. At the same time, playing on the sand constantly engages the muscles of the body and legs, which significantly increases the physical endurance of athletes.

Special attention in beach tennis is paid to the equipment. Rackets have no strings and are solid carbon or composite panels with holes to reduce air resistance. The balls are softer than classic tennis balls, but the pace of play remains very high. The stress on the forearms and shoulder girdle can be even higher than in regular tennis, and the quality of the sand directly affects the speed of play and the risk of injury.

At the professional level, beach tennis is developed under the auspices of international federations and national associations. In major tournaments athletes sometimes play several matches a day, and the preparation of top players includes work in the gym, development of explosive power and coordination. Today, leading beach tennis schools have been formed in Italy, Brazil, Spain and France, and in a number of countries the sport is already included in government development programmes.

The growing popularity of beach tennis is also due to its relative accessibility. The sand reduces the impact load on the joints and spine, which makes the discipline attractive for people over 30 years old. Athletes with experience in tennis, volleyball or badminton adapt especially quickly, and the game can be played all year round - both on outdoor and indoor sand courts.

Experts note that in Ukraine beach tennis is considered one of the most promising areas of beach sports development due to the growing interest and infrastructure potential. All this confirms that beach tennis is not a simplified version of classical tennis, but an independent, technically rich and demanding sport discipline.