First, many areas are beginning to slowly re-open and tennis courts that were closed are starting to be made available again. In my area most high school and other public courts were closed, and players had to scrounge to find the few private or community courts that were still open. Thankfully, a couple weeks ago as phase 1 of reopening begin some high school courts were opened, and they have been mostly flooded with players, many from my club (it is about a mile away). However, my club remain closed.
That changes later this week though as tennis clubs are being allowed to reopen, it seems for just tennis. My club is a health club with a pool as well and only tennis is being opened and with these rules:
- Court times will be 1 hour and 15 minutes with a 15 minute changeover period [we are normally 90 minute court times]. You must exit the court when your court time is up.
- Singles play only. The only exception for doubles play is immediate family members living under the same household.
- Maintain the 6-foot social distancing requirement.
- Please go directly to your court and avoid socializing before or after.
- No bathrooms will be available.
- All garbage cans, benches, and scorecards have been removed.
- No towels or water will be accessible (please bring your own).
This is a step forward and will ease the burden on local high school and other public courts.
What about USTA League play? Several sections have outlined plans to begin play again, I wrote about Southern California having a plan to resume and even play Sectionals, while Pacific Northwest threw in the towel on 2020 leagues and will just begin league play with our 2021 early start leagues in the Fall.
Other sections have been trying to map out plans to complete leagues and even get playoffs in, but Southern has canceled most Sectionals (18/40/55/65/Mixed/Combo) and I wouldn't be surprised to see more follow suit.
What is going on in your area? Are courts and facilities reopening? Is there a plan to get league play going again in June or July?
Utah is planning a rather ambitious league schedule starting June 1, trying to squeeze in somewhat shortened schedules for all 2020 leagues except for one (Mixed 40+), though Intermountain sectionals are cancelled. Some of the normal venues for Utah league matches opened earlier this month, others have not - we'll see if they're actually able to find courts for all these matches. They're even planning to go back to the 2S/3D format for 40+ leagues.
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