Used to see some players using separate balls, but very rarely see this anymore.
Has it now been established that this is not necessary?
What are your experiences?
I never saw anyone do this, even just after they re-opened the courts last May.
If a ball comes onto my court, I will send it back without touching it, more out of respect to the other player than fear I'm going to contract CV.
Dunlop makes a 4 ball can, meaning for tournaments each player gets 2 balls, however cause it’s the same number on the balls they get mixed up almost immediately. I wouldn’t mind shaking hands, but like I said in another thread, easy excuse for not having to shake the hands of an annoying opponent.At many clubs, separate balls were required.
During the early days , the USTA was recommending separate balls, but apparently those guidelines have been dropped.
Shaking hands is still prohibited but still not clear why handling the same balls for two hours is much different than shaking hands.
During the early days , the USTA was recommending separate balls, but apparently those guidelines have been dropped.
Shaking hands is still prohibited but still not clear why handling the same balls for two hours is much different than shaking hands.
Dunlop makes a 4 ball can, meaning for tournaments each player gets 2 balls,
Ever see a slow-mo of someone hitting a ball: there's a mini-explosion of fuzz at contact. If there are virus particles on the ball, they're going in your face. So unless the opponent never touches your 3 and vice versa, I don't see much point of the rule.
I don’t know much of Dunlop’s product history but it is definitely smart to make a 4 ball can in this time. Btw I meant each player is given 2 balls from the 4 ball can that they keep.Did not know that. So that is the purpose of four ball cans? Each player is supposed to use his own balls? Or do you mean each player takes two balls home?
The signs at the courts still mention the separate cans but again, I've never seen anyone follow that
Has there been any data collected over the last year that virus cannot survive and transmit from the ball?
Tennis has natural 60 plus feet distancing but as you point out that is meaningless when handling the balls. Constantly see people wiping their nose and touching the ball and then tossing ball to the opponent.
Btw I meant each player is given 2 balls from the 4 ball can that they keep.
From what I remember reading, the virus can definitely survive outside the body for days and it's light enough to become airborne
This was at one tournament however, the others have just been two cans majority of the time or one can and the players share. I definitely keep them, why let fresh balls go to waste?Did not know that. The winner should just keep the balls.
Think you are saying that it can survive on a tennis ball. If that is the case, it is not a case of being overly concerned. It is a legitimate concern.
OTOH, don't think we've had many cases traced to the tennis court, i.e. some infected player maintaining distance but still spreading it to his hitting partners via shared balls... But it is not clear how much data has been collected on this issue.
With four balls the game goes 25% faster...
Especially with the heavy topspin, wipes away any particles, no?no one uses their own balls where I play. The mere act of hitting the ball likely gets rid of any potential virus on it. fomite transmission is minimal with COVID so I’m not concerned. I do wash my hands after play.
no one uses their own balls where I play. The mere act of hitting the ball likely gets rid of any potential virus on it. fomite transmission is minimal with COVID so I’m not concerned. I do wash my hands after play.
I think it can survive. However, one must prioritize one's concerns. Catching CV from a tennis ball is fairly low on my list.
I have only played with separate balls with one person who is immuno-compromised, and that was early on when it wasn't clear yet that it is transmitted via aerosols and not through surface contamination.
What is the reason for shutting off the water fountain if surfaces are very low risk?
Tennis players are so cheap I'd say more than half the time they won't open a new can regardless, they would literally rather die than open 2.
J
The rules make no sense whatsoever. It’s just bureaucrats and lawyers making up nonsensical rules that have no rhyme or reason.At many clubs, separate balls were and are still officially required. During the early days , the USTA was recommending separate balls, but apparently those guidelines have been dropped.
Shaking hands is still strictly prohibited but it is still not clear why handling the same balls for two hours is any safer than shaking hands.
Yes, the CDC just updated guidelines saying surface transmission was not an issue (aerosol is the issue).Has there been any data collected over the last year that virus cannot survive and transmit from the ball?
Tennis has natural 60 plus feet distancing but as you point out that is meaningless when handling the balls. Constantly see people wiping their nose and touching the ball and then tossing ball to the opponent.
I remember the first time I saw someone opening the court fence gate with their racket. I though, boy, how silly you're going to feel in a month or two.Yes, the CDC just updated guidelines saying surface transmission was not an issue (aerosol is the issue).
Used to see some players using separate balls, but very rarely see this anymore.
Has it now been established that this is not necessary?
Tennis players are so cheap I'd say more than half the time they won't open a new can regardless, they would literally rather die than open 2.
J
Yes. It was already known the surface to human transmission was exceedingly rare. CDC now says risk of COVID infection from surfaces is 1 in 10,000.
CDC says risk of COVID-19 transmission on surfaces 1 in 10,000
The risk of getting a COVID-19 infection from contaminated surfaces is extremely low, according to updated guidance published Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).”I…thehill.com
I remember the first time I saw someone opening the court fence gate with their racket. I though, boy, how silly you're going to feel in a month or two.
It has taken some time, though.
If a ball comes onto my court, I will send it back without touching it, more out of respect to the other player than fear I'm going to contract CV.
What if the ball is not struck. Infected opponent picks up the ball, contaminates the ball, and then leaves it for you to collect... Does not seem much different than shaking hands.
Outrageous fear-mongering for over a year. Unbelievable.
The CDC guidance, coming more than a year into the pandemic, is the strongest argument yet against what some critics have dubbed "hygiene theater."Despite the fact that scientists at the CDC have been fairly certain since at least last spring that transmission is almost entirely through airborne particles, establishments have continued to insist on strict sanitization protocols, like constantly wiping down shared surfaces with disinfectant, and closing schools and subways for "deep cleaning."According to the CDC, cleaning surfaces using soap or detergent, and not disinfecting, is enough to reduce risk in most situations.
If someone throws me a ball, I knock it down with my racket, bounce it a couple times before grabbing it.
Hand to ball to hand doesn't happen to me and it's still better than hand to hand. No middle man in the latter situation.
Used to see some players using separate balls, but very rarely see this anymore.
Has it now been established that this is not necessary?
What are your experiences?
If surfaces are low risk, what is the reason for shutting down the water fountains?
It saves money for the club
We had a guy who owned a company which supplied those huge containers. We now no longer have that expense.
If surfaces are low risk, what is the reason for shutting down the water fountains?
Freq contact surfaces increase the risk substantially. If one person has touched something there's a low risk. If 500 have touched it, that 1/10000 risk climbs to 500 to 1/200.
It’s all kabuki theaterSafeway was wiping down the shopping cart handles for months but that has now apparently stopped. Just visited Safeway and did not see the "sanitized carts here" sign. Maybe this is a result of the recent CDC announcement that surface transmission is very low risk.
At the Y yesterday noticed the water fountains are still disabled. However indoor basketball, volleyball, and swimming are still happening. Weight room closed.What is the reason for shutting off the water fountain if surfaces are very low risk?
A little strange, eh?We started out using our own balls but after many, "oops, I touched your balls," we said forget it. As others have mentioned, I will be respectful to any request to only touch our own balls.
When I heard of the rules, I opted out. Maybe next lifetimeWhen I first heard of the rules, I immediately thought, "No crossing streams!" haha