ITF announce the inaugural ITF Beach Tennis Sand Series Tour Finals

• Brasilia will host the inaugural Sand Series Tour Finals from December 3 – 7, 2024.
• A record-breaking $100,000 in prize money will be available to competitors.
• The event will feature the top 8 men’s and top 8 women’s doubles teams competing for the title.
• Brazil hosts 13 of the 18 premier events on the ITF Beach Tennis Tour, including three Sand Series tournaments, underscoring its position as a global leader in the sport.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has announced today the first ever ITF Beach Tennis Sand Series Tour Finals, scheduled to be held from 3 – 7 December at the Ginasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia.

This major event, marks a new milestone in the ITF Beach Tennis World Tour, offering players the opportunity to compete for a record-breaking $100,000 in prize money – the highest in the history of the Sand Series.

For the first time, the top players from around the world will converge in Brazil to compete in this historic event.  The Sand Series Tour Finals will feature the top 8 men’s and top 8 women’s teams, based on their combined doubles rankings as of November 18, following the completion of the Aruba Sand Series event which takes place from 14-17 November.

The competition will follow a round robin format, with teams divided into two groups of four. Over the course of three days, each team will play three round robin matches. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, where the group winners will face the runners-up from the opposite group. The tournament will culminate in a knockout format with the semi-finals and finals held over the final two days.

All matches will be played as best of three tie-break sets, providing an intense and competitive environment that differs from the usual two-set format with a 10-point match tiebreak used on the regular tour.

The tournament will take place across two indoor courts. The centre court will be located inside the BNB Basketball Arena, which seats 10,000 spectators, while a second temporary indoor court will accommodate 2,000 fans. This world-class venue is located next to the iconic Estadio Mane Garrincha, which hosted the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final, ensuring an unforgettable atmosphere for both players and spectators.

The ITF Sand Series has grown significantly in 2024, with two of the seven events, Reunion and Aruba, increasing their prize money to $75,000. The Tour comprises a total of 462 tournaments, with prize money across the entire season reaching an impressive $1,944,500. The Sand Series is the premier tournament tier, part of the ITF Beach Tennis World Tour:

2024 Sand Series Events:

11 – 14 April: Ribeirão Preto - $50,000

10 – 12 May: Réunion Classic - $75,000

17 – 19 May: Gran Canaria Classic - $50,000

13 – 15 June: Brasília Classic - $50,000

15th – 17th August: Saarlouis Classic - $50,000

10th – 12th October: São Paulo - $50,000

15th – 17th November: Aruba - $75,000

This Sand Series Tour Finals promises to be a landmark event for the sport, elevating beach tennis to new heights and providing a fitting conclusion to a thrilling 2024 season.

The Brazilian Tennis Confederation (CBT) continues to solidify Brazil's status as the global hub for beach tennis, hosting 13 of the 18 premier Beach Tennis Tour events annually. Among these, three of the seven prestigious Sand Series events are held on Brazilian shores, including standout tournaments in Brasília, São Paulo, and Ribeirão Preto.

Brazil’s influence extends far beyond the Sand Series. With eight of the nine BT400 events held in the country, Brazil has become a focal point for elite-level beach tennis. The CBT’s decision to approve São Paulo as the host of the Beach Tennis World Cup and Brasília for the Sand Series Tour Finals showcases Brazil's commitment to remaining at the forefront of the sport. With an estimated 30 countries set to host ITF Beach Tennis tournaments in 2024, there is tremendous scope for further expansion. By fostering world-class tournaments and cultivating the next generation of beach tennis stars, Brazil has become a blueprint for other nations to follow, setting new standards and providing unmatched opportunities for both beach tennis players and fans alike. With the CBT’s continued leadership, beach tennis in Brazil thrives as a beacon of excellence on the international stage.

Patricia Diaz (VEN) and Rafaella Miiller (BRA) in action at the Sand Series Brasília Classic

Rafael Westrupp, President of the Confederação Brasileira de Tênis (CBT), said, “We are incredibly proud to host the inaugural ITF Beach Tennis Sand Series Tour Finals in Brasilia. This landmark event not only underscores Brazil’s commitment to elevating beach tennis on the global stage but also highlights the dedication and passion that our nation brings to this sport.”

“By hosting nearly 25% of the global ITF Beach Tennis Tour events, Brazil has firmly positioned itself as the epicentre of beach tennis, showcasing our deep passion for the sport. Our partnership with the ITF has been instrumental in advancing beach tennis’s international growth and we are excited to welcome the top 8 men’s and top 8 women’s doubles teams from around the world to Brasilia and offer them an opportunity to compete for a record-breaking prize of $100,000. This event is a testament to Brazil’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of beach tennis stars and providing unmatched opportunities for both our athletes and fans. We look forward to showcasing our vibrant nation and the spirit of beach tennis on this prestigious Brazilian stage.”

Sergio Oprea, President of Brasília Tennis & Beach Tennis Federation (BT&BTF), said, "Brasília hosting an event of this size is a milestone for the city and for Brazil. The first time in the history of Beach Tennis, hosting the ITF World Tour Sand Series Finals with the participation of the best players in the world will be an international spectacle for the general public. Brasilia is certainly prepared to receive, organise and deliver this event of enormous importance and prestige for the international Beach Tennis community."

Renato Junqueira, Secretary of Sport and Leisure, said, "Brasília has become an exclusive destination to host sporting events of great relevance. We will give all our support in holding the ITF World Tour Sand Series Finals 2024 here in the Federal District, since tournaments like this heat up our economy, generate jobs and above all move the tourism sector in the city.”

Iain Smith, Head of Beach Tennis, stated, “The launch of the inaugural Sand Series Tour Finals in Brasília marks a pivotal moment for beach tennis. We are deeply grateful to Confederação Brasileira de Tênis and to all those involved at BT&BTF for their support to make the Event a possibility in 2024.  The Ministry of Sport convinced us of their passion for Beach Tennis and we have every confidence that the world’s best players will enjoy their time in Brasilia and competing in an arena which showcases their talent on an appropriate stage.”