PLAY ADAPTATIONS FOR Covid-19 SAFETY
We know the concerns about Covid-19 are still great for many people. We hope to follow all federal and MN state guidelines. The USTA has put out the following “Tips and Recommendations”:
As they say, “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 physical distancing by keeping six feet apart from other players to ensure you are in a safe exercise environment and follow other 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 these safety tips and recommendations.”
Based on this and hopefully some common sense, we offer the following recommendations:
Cancel with your opponent immediately, if you:
• Are exhibiting any symptoms of the coronavirus: fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell. Checking your temperature the day of the match is recommended.
• 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 requiring such therapy.
Protect against infections:
• Wash your hands with a disinfectant soap and water (for 20 seconds or longer), or use a hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available, before going to the court.
• 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 to avoid touching a tap or water fountain handle.
• If you need to sneeze or cough, do so into a tissue or upper sleeve. I will add, consider carrying a cloth handkerchief in a pocket to catch sneezes; or for those last second coughs or sneezes, while “into the elbow” is often recommended, this doesn’t seem particularly effective in short sleeves, so pulling up the front of a T-shirt may be more effective.
• Arrive as close as possible to when you need to be there.
• Avoid touching court gates, fences, benches, etc. if you can.
While Playing:
• Try to stay at least six feet apart from other players. Do not make physical contact with them (such as shaking hands or a high five). If possible, store gear and make changeovers on opposite sides of the court.
• When playing doubles, coordinate with your partner to maintain physical distancing.
• Avoid touching your face with your “ball hand” after handling a ball, racquet or other equipment. Wash/sanitize your hands promptly if you have touched your eyes, nose or mouth. Consider wearing a wrist sweatband for wiping your face.
After Playing
• Leave the court as soon as reasonably possible.
• Wash your hands thoroughly or use a hand sanitizer after coming off the court.
Balls and ball handling
• To avoid handling of balls, and since few people are now working on-site at 3M Center, THE LEAGUE WILL NOT BE PROVIDING BALLS for Open Play this season. One player will be assigned to provide balls on a rotation basis. If desired, a player may bring their own can of balls for the match for their use only, and each player uses their can of balls when they serve. In that case, do not touch your opponent’s set of balls with your hand! Use your racket and/or foot to pick up balls and hit them back to your opponent.
• Please purchase balls comparable to those used by the league in the past—Penn, Wilson or Dunlop “Championship All Court” or “Pro” preferred. These are generally about $3-4/ can. (You may use the same can for 2 or 3 matches within a 3 week period. Technically, a ball dropped from 100 inches should bounce 53-58”; I guess dropped from 6’ should bounce 38” would be comparable.)
Generally standard league play is a full 3 sets; if agreed by both players (preferably before the start of the match), a first-to-10 point tie-break may be played in place of the 3rd set.
Last change: 04/01/25
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