Smashing! Tennis is open again
Tennis lovers wasted no time getting back into the swing of things after the sport made its big return this week.
After seven weeks when they lay empty, the courts of Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis and Squash Club were once again alive with action after being given the go-ahead to re-open.
“We did not know what the demand was going to be like but so far it has been fantastic,” explained Marc Hughes, the club’s sports manager.
“We have four courts back open and they have been full almost all of the time since the club re-opened.”
The Newbridge Crescent club was back open less than 24 hours after being given the nod by the Lawn Tennis Association on Wednesday.
Four outdoor courts are open for singles, though doubles matches can also take place provided all players are from the same household.
Indoor courts, squash courts and the clubhouse remain closed, though the club plans to open its outdoor grass courts next week, while one-on-one coaching can take place provided social distancing guidelines are observed. Hughes continued: “We had been drawing up a plan for what we would do if the club was able to re-open, so when we got the go-ahead from the LTA we wasted no time putting it into place.
“Players are able to book a slot online using the mycourts section of our website and we are letting no more than 10 people in at any one time, while we’ve marked out distances for anyone waiting to use a court. It is not just open to members, anyone can book a slot.
“We’ve got seven coaches at the club who were all placed on furlough but they will be back from Monday, while we are also going to start a virtual fitness programme.
“It’s a steady process and the focus has always been on ensuring we are providing a healthy and safe environment. The booking system allows us to know who has been using which court and when so that, in the unfortunate circumstances where someone were to fall ill, we would know who they have been around – almost like our own track and trace system.
“So far things have worked out really well. People have been in excellent spirits and there has been a really nice atmosphere. People seem very happy to be back out playing sport again.”
The club has more than 1,000 members and Hughes added: “Of those, I would say 500 or so probably visit the club two or three times a week, whether that is to play tennis or socialise.
“When that is taken away it is almost like cutting an arm off.
“I don’t think you can underestimate the mental health benefits of simply coming down to the club and seeing friends and familiar faces again, even at a safe distance, after so many weeks away.”
