As the ITF’s November to Remember continues, the 2022 ITF Beach Tennis World Cup will be the latest event to join the international team extravaganza when it gets underway on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro today.

Sixteen nations will do battle on the Brazilian sands with the aim of being crowned world champions, with hosts and defending champions Brazil among the favourites to top the podium. Four-time champions Italy are also among the frontrunners as are Spain and France.

Much-fancied Italy, runners-up 12 month ago after succumbing to Brazil during a thrilling final in front of a boisterous crowd, have been drawn in Group A alongside Puerto Rico, Japan and Portugal.

Italy will be keen to exact revenge for that defeat and within their ranks have formidable duo and world No. 1s Giulia Gasparri and Ninny Valentini, who have a tour-leading eight titles this year as a pair.

One of their triumphs this term came at September’s ITF Beach Tennis World Championships on their home soil of Terracina, so the Italians enter the event with confidence, pedigree and significant form on their side.

“We've prepared really well for this tournament,” said Italy captain Simona Bonadonna. “We want to win and we are ready to put our hearts into the matches.”

Brazil’s team, meanwhile, includes newcomers Allan Oliveira and Vitoria Marchezini, who have both enjoyed stellar years having picked up titles at BT400 Marechal Deodoro and the 2021 Sand Series Brasilia respectively. 

Brazil have a rich history at the event and are looking for their fourth successive World Cup triumph after topping the podium in 2018, 2019 and 2021. They have been drawn in Group B alongside Latvia, Poland and Curaçao.

“This year, on paper, it looks like a more comfortable group although Latvia are a good team, with great servers, so they are dangerous,” said Brazil captain Alex Mingozzi. “Poland ha vea good female duo, although Curaçao have less experience.”

Elsewhere, Spain, whose title charge will be spearheaded by Antomi Ramos, who has collected an impressive nine titles this year, have been pitted in Group C and will do battle with Germany, Chile and Thailand for a place in the quarter-finals.

Having picked up two of the three gold medals at last month’s European Beach Tennis Championships, on-song France will draw swords with South Africa, USA and Venezuela in Group D. Let battle commence.

Draw: ITF Beach Tennis World Cup

Group A: Italy, Puerto Rico, Japan, Portugal

Group B: Brazil, Poland, Curaçao, Latvia

Group C: Spain, Germany, Chile, Thailand

Group D: France, South Africa, USA, Venezuela

Juniors

Group A: Spain, Poland, Germany, Chile

Group B: Italy, Brazil, France, Venezuela

Photo credit: Marcello Zambrana/DGW