We know how important it is for people to be active, and the particular role tennis can have in the physical and mental wellbeing of those that play it. Tennis can be a great opportunity for you to relieve stress and provide much-needed exercise, however, of primary importance is taking every precaution to help keep our Members safe. 

Because tennis does not require any direct person-to-person contact, players can enjoy the many physical and mental benefits that tennis offers, so long as you practice social distancing by keeping two metres apart from other players using our courts, to ensure you are in a safe exercise environment. 

Please follow our safety recommendations included here. 

Although there is no specific evidence that tennis balls can spread COVID-19, we know that contamination by respiratory droplets from an infected person can potentially survive on hard surfaces up to three days. If you choose to play tennis, be sure to practice our safety recommendations.

 WHO CAN PLAY? 

Until further notice, Club members can play: 

• Singles or doubles with family members or others who live in their household or 
• Singles with a Club member who does not live in your household, following our recommendations on using two tubes of balls, see guidance. 

Club members cannot play doubles with other Club members who do not live in your household, which could lead to incidental contact and unwanted proximity. 

BEFORE YOU PLAY

• Be aware that although restrictions are eased, safety precautions must remain in place until there is a universal vaccine or effective treatment for the coronavirus 
• If possible, please supervise all juniors using our courts during this period - Parents, please discuss these safety recommendations with your children and ensure that they fully understand the importance of following them if they are using our courts unsupervised. 
• Any player using our courts must have a valid Club membership. 
• Please book a court and do not just turn up and play.
• Please warm-up before playing - Given the layoff from playing tennis, some of our Club members will be more susceptible to under-training, over-use, and other injuries 
• If you are playing singles with someone who does not live in your household, follow our recommendations on using two tubes of balls, see guidance 

Do not play if any of you: 

• Are exhibiting any symptoms of the coronavirus: mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough and difficulty breathing 
• Have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days 
• Are a vulnerable individual - elderly individual and/or an individual with serious underlying health conditions, including high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, obesity, asthma and those whose immune system is compromised such as by chemotherapy for cancer and other conditions.

PREPARING TO PLAY 

Protect against infections: 

• Wash your hands with a disinfectant soap and water (for 20 seconds or longer), or use a hand sanitiser if soap and water are not readily available, before travelling to our courts 
• Clean and wipe down your equipment, including racquets and water bottles. Do not share racquets or any other equipment such as wristbands, grips, hats, and towels 
• Bring a full water bottle 
• Use new balls or follow the guidance below on using two tubes of balls 
• Consider taking extra precautions such as wearing gloves 
• If you need to sneeze or cough, do so into a tissue or upper sleeve 
• Avoid touching court gates, fences, benches, etc. if you can 

Arrive as close as possible to when you need to be at our playing venue and do not enter the courts until your court is free and the previous players have left the playing venue. Wait for your court at least two metres away from the main gate. 

• When entering the courts, please use hand sanitiser after touching the locks. If possible, wipe the lock down after use.

WHEN PLAYING         

• If you are playing on Court 2, maintain at least two metres distance from the players on Court 1, when you walk over to the court 
• Try to stay at least two metres apart from other players. Do not make physical contact with them (such as shaking hands) 
• For the time being, you should consider not playing doubles, which could lead to incidental contact and unwanted proximity, unless playing with family members or others who live in your household 
• Avoid touching your face after handling a ball, racquet, or other equipment. Use hand sanitiser to clean your hands promptly if you have touched your eyes, nose, or mouth 
• Avoid sharing food, drinks, or towels 
• Use your racquet/foot to pick up balls and hit them to your opponent 
• Stay on your side of court, avoiding changing ends 
• Remain apart from other players when taking a break 
• If a ball from another court comes to you, send it back with a kick or with your racquet 
• Do not chase a ball to recover it from the other court 

AFTER PLAYING 

• Please use hand sanitiser after coming off the court 
• All players should leave our venue immediately after play 
• No social activity or congregation after playing 

USE TWO SETS OF BALLS 

• Although unlikely, it is possible that a tennis ball can transmit the COVID-19 virus, as virtually any hard surface can transmit the disease. So, here is an extra precaution you can take to keep safe when playing tennis: 
• Open two tubes of tennis balls that do not share the same number on the ball or clearly mark one set of balls.
• Take one set of numbered/marked balls and have your playing partner take a set of balls from the other tube 
• Proceed with play, making sure to only pick up your set of numbered/marked tennis balls
• Should a ball with the other number/marking wind up on your side of the court, do not touch the ball with your hands 
• Use your racquet head or feet to advance the ball to the other side of the court 

We will keep our Club and LTA guidance under regular review. 

13th May 2020