Le beach tennis transform to beach Mar del Plata in a dynamic setting where dexterity and creativity are in the spotlight.
Particularly in the neighborhood of Varesethis discipline, called beach tennis in Spanish, arouses real enthusiasm. In a city where traditional beach sportssuch as beach football, wooden paletas and volleyball, dominate the landscape, beach tennis manages to capture the interest of both locals and tourists.
THE players, barefoot, wear colorful jerseys, swimming shorts and sunglasses which combine style and comfort. THE ballon circulates back and forth across the net at high speed, challenging participants with intense flaps requiring jumps, pirouettes and acrobatic movements worthy of contortionists. This sport, with its unique dynamism, arouses the interest of those who discover it for the first time.
“I want to play, mom,” Agustín, a 9-year-old boy, exclaims to his mother, Carla, as they watch with curiosity and enthusiasm from a makeshift stand. The gaming community is diverse, including both beginners and experts, reinforcing the inclusive nature of the activity. Infobae interviewed a few players in the field to better understand this dynamic.
A doubles match ends in good humor with a casual invitation: “Let’s go to the sea and have a fernet.” This scene encapsulates the spirit of beach tennis, which combines competition, camaraderie and a typically seaside atmosphere.
The rules are simple. The court has similar dimensions to beach volleyball, but the net is slightly lower. This characteristic, combined with the speed of the game, creates a unique dynamic that attracts both players and spectators.
Carolina Vargasoriginally from Puerto Madryn, took up beach tennis just four months ago after leaving volleyball. “I’m 43 years old, two daughters, and I came to participate in my first tournament. I love this city, the sea, the people, their welcome and the level of the event. This sport is extraordinary,” she expressed enthusiastically during her meeting with Infobae.
She adds: “I thought that at 43 I would no longer be able to compete, but in this sport, we meet people of all generations. There are people aged 60 or 70 who play whatever the weather and do very well. It’s a unique experience.”
Asked about the challenges of this discipline, Vargas highlighted: “For me, the most important thing is to control your emotions. Beyond the physical and strategic challenge, establishing a good connection with your partner and managing your emotions is fundamental, not only in this sport, but also in life in general.”
Recently, Vargas took part in the National Beach Tennis Tournament held at Varese beach. This event, which proved to be much more than a simple sporting activity, marked the launch of the Playa Olímpica initiative of the Argentine Olympic Committee (COA). This project aims to encourage healthy lifestyle habits, promote emerging sports and support Mar del Plata’s bid to host the South American Beach Games in 2027.
The competition was also supported by the Beach Tennis Marpla group and was part of the Atlantic Circuit, under the supervision of the Atlantic Tennis Federation (FAT). After its first stop in Miramar in December, this event solidified beach tennis as a discipline in full expansion, wishing to become an emblem of the Argentine summer.
-Pablo Furlan, member of the organizing team of the mentioned tournament, told Infobae : “Beach tennis has existed for many years in Italy. It is a mix of beach volleyball and tennis. It is a very dynamic and fun sport, and unlike tennis, it is much more relaxed. We play it with music, the idea is to have fun.”
In terms of rules, most are similar to tennis, but with marked differences. “The ball must not bounce, everything is played in volleys, and the service is completely free. It can be done from the bottom or from the top. Additionally, sand absorbs shock much better, making it accessible to all ages,” noted Furlan.
Regarding the material, Furlan added that the paddles are similar to those of the padel, but with a design that is more reminiscent of tennis rackets. “The main difference is in the service: there is no specific side to respect and there is only one service, without double fault.” The ball used also has 50% of the pressure of those used in tennis or padel, thus making the game easier.
Regarding the possible Olympic status of this sport, Furlan explained: “It is not yet an Olympic sport, but steps are underway for its inclusion in the next Olympic Games. It is regulated by the ITF (International Tennis Federation) and has a world, South American and national calendar. Actually, in December, a world championship was held in San Paulo, Brazil, where Argentina was represented by its selection.”
The development of beach tennis is evident both on the professional and amateur scene. “What is positive is that each tournament brings together the entire community. On the same beach, you can see beginner level players alongside professionals who participated in the last world championship,” said Furlan.
The growth of this sport is not limited to Mar del Plata. “In Argentina, it is growing strongly in Rosario, Puerto Madryn and Buenos Aires. In Brazil, it is a real phenomenon. On each beach you will find numerous tennis courts. The advantage is that it is a simple sport: someone who has never played it can pick up a paddle, have fun and play immediately, which is not the case with other sports.” , he concluded.
For her part, Mirella Passano, beach tennis teacher in Mar del Plata, shared her experience and her vision of this sport: “I started in 2016 in Brazil, precisely in Rio, where I lived. What intrigued me was seeing a paddle, a small ball and a net. I’ve been playing tennis since I was four years old, so I approached out of curiosity to find out what it was.”
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Regarding the development of beach tennis in Mar del Plata, Passano said: “We are growing a lot in a short time. Tournaments bring the sport to a wider audience and encourage more people to come and play because it’s fun.”
Passano described the technical aspects of the sport: “It is played on fine sand. The height of the net is 1.70 meters for women, 1.80 meters for men and 1.50 meters for children. The paddles are special, with a precise thickness and made of carbon fiber or EVA. The balls, technically called Stage 2are low pressure, soft, do not hurt and fly a lot in the wind. The objective is to get the point in the opposing camp.”
