Beach tennis is the latest sensation. Every day, more and more people are taking up this new sport, which only became popular in Brazil in 2008.

It emerged in Italy in the 80s as a sport that combines elements of beach volleyball with tennis and gained popularity on Brazilian beaches and in the tropical climate.

Similarities and differences with traditional tennis

The game is very similar to traditional tennis, except that the ball cannot touch the ground at any time (this is one of the ways to score points), and the net is much higher, measuring 1 m and 70 cm in height. The area is also smaller compared to court tennis, measuring 16 meters long and 5 meters wide in singles (one against one) and 16 m by 8 m in doubles.

The goal is to pass the ball over the net without letting it escape the demarcated area, and your opponent will do the same, all without letting it fall to the ground within the area on their side of the net. Simple, right?

But what are the advantages of this type of sport? There are many benefits. Exercising is essential for physical and emotional well-being. Its benefits range from improved blood circulation and breathing to improved self-esteem and a sense of well-being.

These benefits are, above all, enhanced even more when it comes to practicing outdoors, such as in sand sports, which also bring a feeling of freedom, leisure and contact with the climate and nature.

Outdoor practice

Beach tennis offers all the advantages of playing outdoor sports. It is an excellent way to combine physical and mental well-being and health benefits with leisure and fun. The moving environment promotes attention, improves reflexes, exercises concentration and also provides the pleasant sensation of being under the open sky, especially at a time when much of our time is spent in front of screens and indoors, whether at work, school or even at home.

Seeking out outdoor environments is a great way to expand your senses, improve your mental health and reduce the stress of modern life. Physical activities in general are always positive for improving your mood, reducing anxiety and stress, improving sleep quality, preventing diseases, reducing cholesterol, among other benefits, and all of these are enhanced when we move outdoors.

Fitness and toning

Moving on sand requires much more effort than on a silt court, as in traditional tennis, for example. The fact that the sand shifts when it is pressed by the feet, during an impulse to move, reduces the body's ability to move, requiring us to use more force, or even take more steps, to reach the desired destination. This causes the lower limbs to tone up more quickly and efficiently, which increases strength, reduces the chances of cardiovascular diseases, stimulates circulation and favors the lymphatic system and even the emergence of new blood vessels.

Furthermore, using the racket in this sport places a high demand on the arms and abdominal muscles, increasing strength and reducing fat levels in the torso and upper limbs.

In other words, it is a complete sport that not only improves body aesthetics but also considerably improves physical conditioning and muscular capacity throughout the body. Playing on the sand also helps to prevent injuries and bruises, as it cushions the damage caused by possible falls or the impact of “diving” to “save” the ball.

Vitamin D

This type of sport is usually practiced during the day, mainly because it is difficult to follow the rapid movements of the ball without proper lighting, which is much easier in sunlight.

This simple fact is enough to convince those who still have doubts about the benefits of practicing this sport, since controlled exposure to the sun favors the synthesis of vitamin D, which occurs when ultraviolet rays come into contact with the skin. This vitamin is mainly responsible for the calcification of bones and is essential for strengthening the skeleton. Vitamin D can be found in foods such as dairy products, fish and seafood, but sun exposure is essential for maintaining good levels of this substance.

“Mano a mano” or in pairs

In addition to the benefits for mental and physical health, the sport is also versatile and competitive. You can play in pairs or one-on-one mode, depending on whether you brought just one or several friends to enjoy the beach. Another way to increase the fun is to get more friends to play together. Playing in pairs encourages teamwork and exercises communication and interaction skills. If the group is smaller, you can play “one-on-one” and have faster matches.

Did you see how interesting this type of sport is? It is worth remembering that it is very important to maintain healthy eating habits and especially to drink plenty of water to make the most of the benefits of sports and outdoor leisure, respecting the limits of your own body and the recommendations of doctors and nutritionists.

Now that you know a little about the sport and the advantages and benefits of beach tennis, you can invite your friends over to enjoy the sun on the beach or at the club, and bring your rackets and ball to enjoy some healthy leisure time by the sea or even in the pool!