ITF issues first set of ‘Return to Tennis’ guidelines
The ITF has published a first set of ‘Return to Tennis’ guidelines to assist national tennis associations in restarting competitive tennis in their country once government restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have been lifted and the appropriate health, safety and integrity measures are in place.
The guidelines – at this stage for local- and national-level competitions only – seek to provide a framework in which tennis can be played again in a manner that protects against the risk from transmission of or infection by the COVID-19 virus, and provide a number of practical suggestions as to how this might be achieved. They have been developed in accordance with the WHO guidelines on the organisation of sports events and with input from the chair of the ITF Sport Science and Medicine Commission.
However, the guidelines also emphasise that decisions made by national governments take precedence and that tennis (either competitive or recreational) should not be played until governments have sufficiently relaxed any restrictions that are currently in place.
Specific guidelines for the return of international competition will be provided at the appropriate time in accordance with the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Examples of some of the suggested measures include:
- Players remain at least 2m from one another and have no physical contact (such as a post-match handshake)
- Players go around opposite sides of the net at changeovers
- Players use separate sets of balls (and mark them clearly prior to play)
- Players should not share equipment (rackets, towels, water bottles, etc)
- Only singles matches should be played
- Matches should be played without spectators
While following measures such as these will ensure that the risk from COVID-19 is minimised, the guidelines are clear that the risk cannot be eliminated altogether.
The guidelines contain specific advice for five different sets of tennis stakeholders: national associations, players and officials, event organisers, tournament staff, and spectators.
To read the full guidelines in English, French or Spanish, click the links below: