Beach Tennis takes centre stage at Mediterranean Beach Games

The third edition of the Mediterranean Beach Games gets underway later this week, with a number of the world's best players descending on the Karteros Sports Centre in Heraklion, Crete to bid for gold in the men’s, women’s and mixed doubles competitions.

Eight nations will take part in the Beach Tennis competition, which runs from 13-16 September as one of 13 sports in the Games.

Tommaso Giovannini will look to defend his gold medal, this time partnering Mattia Spoto, who currently tops the ITF Beach Tennis World Tour Rankings.

Antomi Ramos and Gerard Rodriguez Querol will look to go one better than their silver medal in 2019, though will be wary of the stiff competition from neighbours France, who are fielding two teams in co-world No. 1 Nicolas Gianotti and young compatriot Paul Gotarda, as well as Theo Irigaray  and Mathieu Guegano.

Representatives from Morocco, Algeria, Portugal, Cyprus and Greece round out the field.

The women’s competition will see familiar Italians seeking gold in Greece. In the last edition, Italy had already guaranteed victory going into the women’s gold medal match in 2019 with a clean sweep in the final.

Nicole Nobile will look to defend her gold medal this time, partnering Flaminia Daina, while Giulia Gasparri and Sofia Cimatti will also represent Italy as they look to continue their impressive summer form on the ITF Beach Tennis World Tour.

 “We are proud to be involved in such a great event as the Mediterranean Beach Games which helps the development of the sport of Beach tennis in the region and the whole country," said Beach Tennis Competition Manager Antonis Kalaitzakis. 

“We look forward to welcoming all the athletes and even more to provide quality services for everyone involved."

The Mediterranean Beach Games will be broadcast on MedGames.tv,  beginning with the Opening Ceremony on Saturday 9 September.