The shores of the Baltic Sea will see Beach Tennis explore new territory this month, with the first edition of the BT400 Pärnu in Estonia taking place on 19-21 August.

With a host of Top 10 players including world number ones Michele Cappelletti, Antomi Ramos, Giulia Gasparri and Ninny Valentini, the tournament is sure to attract the highest quality of competition as players do battle in Pärnu Bay.

Estonian Tennis Association General Secretary Allar Hint is delighted with how the sport has grown in recent years.

“It has been great to follow how beach tennis has been booming in Estonia in participation levels,” he said. “Thanks to the two indoor facilities built during the last five years, beach tennis is not only a summer sport but accessible all year around. The BT400 tournament in Pärnu is a great possibility to see the world’s best beach tennis players in action and is a motivation for our younger beach tennis generation to try our great sport.”

Tournament director Kärt Lebedev added: “I am very happy to organise the largest ITF Beach Tennis Tournament in the Baltics. The beautiful small town of Pärnu has been a resort destination for around 200 years and we are excited to show it to the world.

“I am so fortunate to be able to welcome so many world-class athletes from all over the world.”

With players from over 20 countries poised to compete, the BT400 in Pärnu forms part of a European swing. After starting in France with the BT200 Open International de St Georges de Didonne (11-13 August), the Pärnu tournament will be followed by the Sand Series Saarlouis Classic Germany (25-28 August).

The BT200 Carcavelos in Portugal (8-10 September) kicks off September before the world’s best descend on Terracina in Italy for the World Championships (19-25 September).