The Torneo Tenis Playa, also named as Trofeo Juan Avendaño is an exhibitiontennis tournament played annually in La Ribera beach in Luanco, Asturias, Spain.
It is the only tennis tournament in the world organized on the sand of a beach, during low tide. Stands installed on the beach seat 2,000 spectators.
History
The first tournament was played in 1971, by initiative of a group of friends who didn't have any court to play in the town. In 1973, Juan Avendaño played his first tournament and since that year it has grown in popularity. In 1995, the tournament was re-organized due to Avendaño and other professional players that started to play.
The tournament is played between July and August, when the low tide comes in the night. In 2006, the Torneo Tenis Playa was declared as tourist interest activity and is now broadcast on TV by Asturian TPA.
In 2014, the board of the Torneo Tenis Playa did not reach any agreement for the organization of the tournament and it was not played.[1] This agreement arrived in January 2015, and it was announced the tournament would be recovered for July 2015,[2][3] but ultimately the tournament did not take place.
After a stint of seven years without being played, the tournament was due to return in 2020.[4] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic it was postponed for one more year.[5]
Tournament winners
Feliciano López, before the final of the 2005 edition.