Beach tennis and badminton have one thing in common that most racket sports do not: the ball (or shuttle) must never bounce. In beach tennis the ball is volleyed back and forth over a high net on sand, which makes it feel a bit like a cross between tennis, beach volleyball and badminton. It started in Italy and is now popular in Brazil and across southern Europe.
Badminton vs beach tennis in brief
- Court: beach tennis 16 m x 8 m on sand (doubles); badminton 13.4 m x 6.1 m indoors
- Net: beach tennis 1.8 m (men) or 1.7 m (women); badminton 1.524 m at centre
- Object: low-compression tennis ball vs shuttlecock
- Bounce: not allowed in either sport
- Scoring: beach tennis uses tennis scoring with no-advantage; badminton uses rally scoring to 21
- Equipment: solid paddle bats vs strung rackets
Side-by-side comparison
| Beach tennis | Badminton | |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | Sand, outdoors | Indoor court, wood or mat |
| Court (doubles) | 16 m x 8 m | 13.4 m x 6.1 m |
| Net height | 1.8 m men, 1.7 m women | 1.524 m at centre |
| What you hit | Low-compression (stage 2, orange) tennis ball | Shuttlecock, 4.74 to 5.50 g |
| Equipment | Paddle bat with no strings | Strung racket |
| Bounce | Not allowed: every shot is a volley | Not allowed: rally ends when it lands |
| Serve | Underarm or overarm, one attempt, no service lets | Underarm, below 1.15 m, diagonal, one attempt |
| Scoring | Tennis scoring with no-advantage at deuce | Rally scoring to 21, best of 3 |
Specifications for beach tennis follow the ITF’s guide to the sport.
How the games feel
Both sports are played entirely in the air, so quick hands and anticipation matter in each. In beach tennis, the sand slows your movement and the ball is heavier and faster through the air, so rallies are punchy volley exchanges near the net with occasional lobs. In badminton, the light shuttle decelerates sharply, which opens up steep smashes, soft drops and deep clears over a larger range of court positions. See badminton shots.
Fitness
Moving on sand is hard work and easy on the joints, so beach tennis gives a strong lower-body workout with low impact. Badminton is more explosive on a hard surface, with sharper changes of direction. See badminton benefits.
Difficulty and access
Beach tennis is easy to start and very social, but needs a sand court and good weather. Badminton can be played year-round indoors and in many more locations. For outdoor badminton in the garden or on the beach, wind is the main problem; see badminton sets and nets.
Which should you choose?
| Choose beach tennis if you… | Choose badminton if you… |
|---|---|
| Love being outdoors in the sun | Want a sport you can play all year |
| Want low-impact exercise on sand | Want a faster, more explosive game |
| Have a beach tennis club nearby | Have a sports hall or club nearby |
FAQ
Can you let the ball bounce in beach tennis?
No. Like badminton, the point ends when the ball touches the ground.
Is beach tennis the same as padel?
No. Padel is played on a walled court where the ball bounces and can come off the glass. See badminton vs padel.
Can you play badminton on the beach?
Yes, with a portable net and outdoor shuttles, on a calm day.
More comparisons: badminton vs tennis and pickleball vs badminton.
