Beach tennis combines elements of tennis, badminton, and volleyball, played on sand. It’s a fun, fast-paced sport that’s easy to pick up and suitable for all ages.

Our beach tennis court at Cape Weligama follows the standard dimensions, the same as beach volleyball: 16 meters long and 8 meters wide. You’ll be playing right where the views are at their best.

For a slower-paced yet equally engaging option, try your hand at pétanque, a classic French game played on the beach with metal boules. It’s a game of precision and strategy that’s just as enjoyable for beginners as it is for seasoned players, perfect for relaxed competition by the ocean.

Beach Tennis – The Rules:

Players:
 Singles (1 vs 1) or Doubles (2 vs 2)

Scoring:
Follows classic tennis scoring: 15, 30, 40, Game
No advantage rule; next point wins at 40-40 (Deuce)

Serving:
Serve underarm or overarm
Only one serve per point (no second serves)
Server must stand behind the baseline

Gameplay:
The ball must never touch the ground; keep it in the air
Only one hit allowed per side
No volleys using the hand or body

Match Format:
Matches are usually best of 3 sets
First to 6 games wins the set (must win by 2 games or tie-break at 6–6)

Fair Play & Safety:
Always respect your opponents
Avoid powerful shots aimed at the body
Play barefoot or wear appropriate beach footwear

Equipment:
Beach tennis paddles and low-pressure orange balls are required (we’ve got these ready for you)

Pétanque – Quick Rules & Etiquette:

Objective
 Throw your boules as close as possible to the small wooden ball, the jack (cochonnet). The team with the closest boule scores points.

Teams & Boules
Singles: 1 vs 1 (3 boules each)
Doubles: 2 vs 2 (3 boules each)
Triples: 3 vs 3 (2 boules each)

Playing Area & Start
Circle: 35–50 cm drawn on the ground
Jack: Thrown 6–10 m away, at least 1 m from obstacles
Both feet stay in the circle until the boule lands

Order of Play
Team that throws jack plays first boule
Opponents throw until one boule is closer
Alternate until all boules are thrown

Scoring
Team with closest boule scores
1 point per boule closer than opponents’ nearest
First team to 13 points wins

Common Fouls
Stepping out of the circle before throw lands
Jack not landing 6–10 m away
Throwing out of turn
Exceeding 1-minute time limit
Jack knocked out of play → end is replayed or dead

Etiquette
Stay quiet & still when others throw
Don’t walk between circle and jack
Measure carefully when unclear
Shake hands before & after game
Respect the terrain & equipment

Ready to play? Whether it’s a fast-paced rally of beach tennis or a laid-back game of pétanque, gather your friends and family, and make every game a moment to remember.

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