A PATHWAY that will allow players to return to the court has been laid out by the Lawn Tennis Association – prompting fresh hope for Evesham, Fladbury, Pershore and Stratford-upon-Avon’s tennis clubs.
There is now some light at the end of the tunnel for local tennis fanatics in the wake of the Government’s plans to lift lockdown restrictions in the coming months, as per Monday’s statement by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to the House of Commons.
While precautions will still remain in place for the time being, with an end date of June 21 for all coronavirus measures to be removed, recreational players can now start counting down the days before returning to competitive action.
As a sport that can be enjoyed outdoors and is ideal for maintaining social distancing, the guidelines in place for tennis are more lenient compared to some other sports, with activity once again permitted from March 29 onwards.
Recreational tennis, in both singles and doubles formats, will be allowed in addition to the restart of regional competitions and one-to-one coaching.
Furthermore, tennis played during school hours and in after-school clubs will once again resume, in line with the reopening of schools on March 8.
The national body for the sport have spoken positively in the aftermath of the news, and have reassured clubs nationally that indoor venues will return as soon as coronavirus guidelines allow.
“We know sport has a key role in supporting the physical and mental health of the nation, so its return will give a boost to the whole country, and is very welcome,” said the LTA, in a statement.
“It is also important that indoor facilities can reopen as soon as it is safe for them to do so. Many of the country’s network of indoor tennis facilities have suffered real financial challenges so it is vital that we protect these community assets to avoid them closing permanently, and we are keen to work with the Government on this.”
