Link to BBC Sports
article - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/52630799
...and here's what
it says .....
Playing tennis during coronavirus: What are the latest rules on safety?
By Russell Fuller BBC tennis correspondent
The suspension of
the professional tennis tours because of coronavirus has been extended to 7
June
People in England can take unlimited outdoor exercise from Wednesday
under the government's latest guidelines on the coronavirus pandemic.
Tennis, along with
golf and angling, has been cited as a sport that can be played safely, while
keeping two metres apart from anyone else.
The Lawn Tennis
Association (LTA) has published detailed guidelines, based on discussion with
government, on what is now permitted. So what can you expect to find open, and
how are you advised to stay safe?
What can I do on Wednesday?
Outdoor courts in
England will be open for singles, but only for doubles if all four players are
members of the same household.
The LTA guidelines
say indoor and bubble courts should remain closed, along with all social spaces
and gyms.
But on outdoor
courts, one-to-one tennis coaching, as well as a game of singles with someone
from outside your household, will be permitted.
Players are being
advised to initial their tennis balls, so they only pick up and serve with
their own set, and the LTA also recommends players do not change ends - or, at
the very least, do so at opposite sides of the net.
Can I play anywhere?
Venues have been
advised to take time to ensure the are set up to reopen safely, so players in
certain places might have to wait a little longer.
And if you are in
Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you will will have to show even more
patience, as all tennis facilities and courts there remain closed.
How to stay safe
Bring your own
equipment - the minimum necessary - and only touch your own tennis balls.
Initial those
balls, so you know which ones to serve with, and return ones which aren't yours
with either your racquet or foot.
Avoid changing ends
every couple of games, and bring a full water bottle and some hand sanitiser to
the court with you.
Do not try to
adjust the net. Venues are being told to ensure they remain at the appropriate
height, and to take the net winders away.
What other differences will I notice?
People are being
encouraged to use their own tennis balls
You may have
nowhere to sit because unnecessary equipment such as benches should be removed.
Doors and court
gates may be left open, and session times slightly altered. Venues and clubs
have been advised to leave a gap of about 10 minutes between bookings, to avoid
unnecessary contact at the changeover.
Can I take lessons?
Yes - individual
lessons can restart for both adults and children.
Coaches should
position themselves on the other side of the net, limit the use of equipment,
and use new or fresh balls for each lesson where possible.
Balls that are
stored for 72 hours can then be reused.
Only the coach
should touch the balls, but if your serve needs a bit of work, the advice is to
bring your own set of balls.
When will I be able to watch tennis on TV again?
The professional
circuit is still some way away from a return.
The tours are
currently suspended until 12 July, but the tournaments scheduled to take place
in the last three weeks of July are likely to be called off by the end of this
week.
The US Tennis
Association will decide in June whether the US Open can be staged in New York
from 31 August.
Before any
tournaments can resume, however, the elite will have to train. Sport England is
due to explain how and when that can happen over the next 24 hours.
13th May, 2020 - News Update Part 2
More courts available to book -
The committee has
decided to open up all courts for use.
However, if we get
complaints about social distancing then we will revert back to only using
courts 2, 3, and 5.
I have put a
combination lock, usual code, on the gate that accesses Court 5 directly.
The gate is at the back of Court 5.
This means that the
only court not accessible directly is court 1.
I have had to put a
normal keyed lock on the gate of court 3, that leads to the field, as we are
short of combination locks. The key is on the net. If you use it then please
make sure you lock up and put the key back.
More slots available to book -
I have removed all
club session court bookings so these are now available for anyone to use.
Net Height Winders -
I have removed all
net height winders, as per LTA guidelines. I have made sure all of the nets are
at the right height so this should not be an issue.
Have fun, stay
safe, and observe social distancing.
