Beach tennis: the sport that unites beach volleyball, tennis and badminton –

It’s easy to be conquered by beach tennis: in addition to burning hundreds of calories (600 in an hour!) and strengthening your legs, the sport also provides a totally relaxed #AttitudeBoaForma activity. Even those who have never practiced the modality can take advantage of it, since the fun – and the workout – is guaranteed even if the ball falls more frequently in the sand. Extra point for the stunning scenery that usually accompanies the match: a radiant sun (golden bronze activated) and a cool breeze coming in from the ocean.

The novelty, which has been gaining ground all over the coast of Brazil, is a mix of beach volleyball (you play in pairs and score a point when the ball touches the opponent’s “ground”), badminton (the net is 1.70 meter) and tennis (the match is divided into up to three sets with six games each). Not familiar with any of these sports? All good! The beach tennis technique is not that difficult: just hold the racket (specific to the modality) at face level and try to pass the ball, at once, over the net – it comes at a slower speed than that of racquetball .

And you can take advantage of the match to replace the day’s training, as the sand intensifies muscle work on your butt, arms and abdomen while challenging your breath and cushioning the impact on your joints. “There is a good variety of quick shots to reach the ball and moments of recovery during the match, which helps with weight loss”, says coach Alice Miranda, from Rio de Janeiro. “You also improve coordination, concentration and agility,” she adds. And the players don’t even stop when the point is over – after all, you have to look for the ball that falls in the sand.

The athletes from Ipanema

Imported from Italy, beach tennis arrived in Rio de Janeiro in 2008. Among the pioneers is Joana Cortez, 39, from Rio de Janeiro. “I had just retired from tennis when I found the beach version a way to keep competing at a high level and keep in good shape”, says the athlete. “I was soon third in the world.”

By coincidence, the current number 1 in Brazil, Rafaela Miller, 24, from Paraná, also abandoned cement and was delighted with the relaxation of the sand. “During competitions, music is playing all the time!” Since that’s how it is, turn up the sound, put on a comfortable bikini, leave the caipirinha aside and try out this new fitness trend that is boiling on the country’s beaches and clubs.

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beach tennis x-ray

Origin: Italy, 1980s.

Where to play: along the Brazilian coast or in clubs in cities without a beach.

Featured for: Rio de Janeiro (@mettabt), São Paulo (@beacharenasp), Fortaleza (@acbt_bt_bm) and Florianópolis (@arenabeachfloripa).

Good for… arms, abdomen, legs and butt.

Racket: there are carbon or kevlar models starting at R$300 (the main brands are Drop Shot, Head and Dranix).

Ball: it is the same used in tennis with children (more withered).