Club, Facility, and Camp re-opening protocols.

J011yroger

Talk Tennis Guru
Crowd sourcing some ideas.

What are you guys doing at your facilities to open again?

I am especially concerned with the following.

Touch points: Handrails, doorknobs, faucets, toilets, scorekeepers.

Benches: Tables, bag rests, viewing areas, food service.

Balls: In carts, for pickup, for personal play.

Lessons: Groups, privates, camps.

Small children: Less able to adhere to instructions, maintain distance.

Proshop sales: Do not allow customers in, bring all merchandise out to the courts.

Bathrooms: Sanitation procedures, touch points, community products.

Amenities: Towels, bug spray, sunscreen, water.

Shared or loaned equipment: Junior racquets for campers, ball pick up tubes and hoppers, bag rests.

J
 

E46luver

Professional
This may not be as bad as it sounds.

Touch points: Glove or pocket rag
Benches: Don't use them. Sit on ground during breaks. Just like an outdoor lesson at a public court
Lessons: Privates only?
Small children: See above
Proshop sales: Close
Bathrooms: Don't touch anything but your own willy
Amenities: BYOA
Shared or loaned equipment: BYOE

Balls is the x-factor. Only the coach picks up the balls. Students never touch the balls
 

Dan R

Professional
Good question. I'm in Minnesota and the stay at home order has been extended until mid-May. So the clubs are still closed, but I know that they are working on protocols for all businesses. I would guess that health clubs are going to be one of the hardest places to secure in general, but a tennis only club might not be as bad. The club I use has both mixed facilities and a couple of tennis only clubs.
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
Some points were covered in actual club guidelines posted in another thread. Can't find a way to dig it up now, but some points were:

No drinking water - bring your own
No food allowed - internal or external
Only teaching pros pick up the balls during lessons, not students (this rule should be made permanent, make them work hard)
No bags - leave them in the car and bring the minimum stuff to play with
Get out of the club once your play is over
 

Dan R

Professional
Some points were covered in actual club guidelines posted in another thread. Can't find a way to dig it up now, but some points were:

No drinking water - bring your own
No food allowed - internal or external
Only teaching pros pick up the balls during lessons, not students (this rule should be made permanent, make them work hard)
No bags - leave them in the car and bring the minimum stuff to play with
Get out of the club once your play is over
Stay out of the locker room - change and shower at home.
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
As far as pro shop sales go, are pro shops in clubs today anything more than a stringing service drop off point and an office from where administration work can also be done, with a few rackets and caps placed for show?
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
More than the virus, I am worried about self-righteous types policing everyone once tennis restarts. Already see many such people posting on Nextdoor app. Now that they can see in close proximity what people are doing, they will not let this opportunity go to waste.
 

Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
Touch points: Frequent sanitization, sanitizers at entrance and exit of facility, limited access to locker rooms

Benches: Should be removed

Balls: No communal balls or rotating communal balls based on day of the week, encourage each server to play with his own set

Lessons: Privates only

Small children: privates, consider some small outdoor camps and ensure parents make children hand sanitize before and after leaving the courts

Proshop sales: Limit customers in shop, wear masks

Bathrooms: Signs to remind everyone to wash hands before leaving a washroom. This is easiest since there are hand washing facilities in every washroom.

Amenities: Remove and enforce people bring their own towels and water to courts.

Shared or loaned equipment: Remove
 

Dan R

Professional
This will be controversial. I know a lot of business are worried about getting sued is someone gets Covid at their facilitates (which will be hard to prove - but that won't stop plaintiff lawyers). Should clubs ban players in the vulnerable categories, like seniors?

It would certainly be advisable for older people to limit their risks until this has passed, but it's another thing for them to be banned.
 

Curiosity

Professional
Some points were covered in actual club guidelines posted in another thread. Can't find a way to dig it up now, but some points were:

No drinking water - bring your own
No food allowed - internal or external
Only teaching pros pick up the balls during lessons, not students (this rule should be made permanent, make them work hard)
No bags - leave them in the car and bring the minimum stuff to play with
Get out of the club once your play is over

I'll bring my bag to the court: It's what holds my sanitizer, towel, shirt change, spare can of balls, spare racquet in case I break a string!!
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
This will be controversial. I know a lot of business are worried about getting sued is someone gets Covid at their facilitates (which will be hard to prove - but that won't stop plaintiff lawyers). Should clubs ban players in the vulnerable categories, like seniors?

It would certainly be advisable for older people to limit their risks until this has passed, but it's another thing for them to be banned.

Businesses will be given immunity from this
 

ByeByePoly

G.O.A.T.
I'll bring my bag to the court: It's what holds my sanitizer, towel, shirt change, spare can of balls, spare racquet in case I break a string!!

You just beat me to this ... racquets, towels, wrist bands, iPhone, extra shirt, water bottle, hat, sweat gutter (no way I am putting that on before I get to the court) ... add hand sanitizer now. I guess I could put it all in a pile where the bench used to be. 8-B
 

ByeByePoly

G.O.A.T.
All you need is one racket and a can of balls. Sanitizer will be in the club.

How is my bag going to give anyone covid more than my racquet, bottom of my shoes, etc? Just keep your paws off my bag sir. 8-B

I am a tidy well organized tennis player because of my bag.

The bottom of my shoes walks through public places ... the bottom of my bag only touches my closet floor, my car seat and the court.
 
Last edited:

sureshs

Bionic Poster
How is my bag going to give anyone covid more than my racquet, bottom of my shoes, etc? Just keep your paws off my bag sir. 8-B

I am a tidy well organized tennis player because of my bag.

The bottom of my shoes walks through public places ... the bottom of my bag only touches my closet floor, my car seat and the court.

Your bag occupies too much space and reduces the social distancing radius. And who knows what virus is sitting on it. Just come and go with minimal stuff - one racket with single racket case (which will also hold wallet and keys, and also 1 water bottle when racket is taken out, which you do when you get out of your car) + 1 can of balls. Actually can of balls also goes into your empty racket case when racket is taken out. Wear your cap all the time. If you sweat a lot, no changing. Just go home.

So that is it - just one racket inside a racket case. Put water bottle, wallet and keys inside the case as you exit the car while taking the racket out. Reverse the procedure when leaving.

Another place to put the can of balls is down your shorts, but that is not advisable.
 

ByeByePoly

G.O.A.T.
Your bag occupies too much space and reduces the social distancing radius. And who knows what virus is sitting on it. Just come and go with minimal stuff - one racket with single racket case (which will also hold wallet and keys, and also 1 water bottle when racket is taken out, which you do when you get out of your car) + 1 can of balls. Actually can of balls also goes into your empty racket case when racket is taken out. Wear your cap all the time. If you sweat a lot, no changing. Just go home.

So that is it - just one racket inside a racket case. Put water bottle, wallet and keys inside the case as you exit the car while taking the racket out. Reverse the procedure when leaving.

Another place to put the can of balls is down your shorts, but that is not advisable.

No ... no bag ... no BBP.

Me and my buddy playing singles with our bags at the park are a lot safer than 4 club players playing doubles with their one racquet and carrying their towel around. My towel stays on top of my bag.

Your loss ... I’m fun to play and have good jokes. 8-B
 

Crisp

Professional
We have started with private lessons only, all shared equip is no longer available, balls are picked up by staff only. Gates are left open, disposable gloves available if serving in lesson. Maintain 1.5 m distance at all times. Bring own hydration, toilets off limits. using only outside court.
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
No ... no bag ... no BBP.

Me and my buddy playing singles with our bags at the park are a lot safer than 4 club players playing doubles with their one racquet and carrying their towel around. My towel stays on top of my bag.

Your loss ... I’m fun to play and have good jokes. 8-B

We are talking clubs, not public courts, where there is lot more stuff happening.
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
We have started with private lessons only, all shared equip is no longer available, balls are picked up by staff only. Gates are left open, disposable gloves available if serving in lesson. Maintain 1.5 m distance at all times. Bring own hydration, toilets off limits. using only outside court.

Restricting toilet use is not acceptable, may even be illegal.
 

1stVolley

Professional
My club wisely now allows only singles or private lessons with one student. It is very difficult playing doubles to consistently maintain the six foot separation rule. And, unfortunately, six feet is not really a magic distance as experiments have shown that a cough or sneeze can propel droplets a good twelve feet. Only singles gives you the safer distance.

Also, my club is securing all doors and gates open so no touching is required. Benches and courtside water jugs are removed and the clubhouse is locked.
 

WildVolley

Legend
Play limited to outdoor courts due to evidence of importance of UV. No putting the tennis ball or your hands in your mouth during play. Don't shake hands after play. Wash your hands after leaving the court and ... that's basically it.
 
Last edited:

Curiosity

Professional
Your bag occupies too much space and reduces the social distancing radius. And who knows what virus is sitting on it. Just come and go with minimal stuff - one racket with single racket case (which will also hold wallet and keys, and also 1 water bottle when racket is taken out, which you do when you get out of your car) + 1 can of balls. Actually can of balls also goes into your empty racket case when racket is taken out. Wear your cap all the time. If you sweat a lot, no changing. Just go home.

So that is it - just one racket inside a racket case. Put water bottle, wallet and keys inside the case as you exit the car while taking the racket out. Reverse the procedure when leaving.

Another place to put the can of balls is down your shorts, but that is not advisable.


Aside from reflecting that my shorts, at least, are full of other things, I can only ask this: How did you reason to the notion that a tennis bag, inert and sitting by the fence, affect social distancing? I'm actually curious. Have you, like WHO's Tedros Adhanam, Dr. Berx, and Dr. Fauci, fallen into the misconception that surfaces are a significant transmitter of SARS-CoV-2 viroids? That masks and hand-washing aren't the keys? It is a respiratory virus. It spreads primarily through particles launched into the air by coughs, sneezes, and even propulsive speech. For that matter, why on earth would you be touching my tennis bag? I've never put my hands on other people's. As for bringing at least two racquets, I've done that since forever: A second racquet is cheap. I need to have one regardless so that I can play during the few days the other one is now and then in for restringing. Even with two racquets in good shape I have too often (and this goes triple for my adult son) spent time, a little money, and a schedule involving other players, but broken a string. A second racquet prevents the waste of time, mine and other people's. Ah, the effect of spending so much time in my home office: Not enough conversation, no novel face-to-face contacts. On a cheerful note, my street is a favorite of local walkers, and the weather has finally warmed up. No more puffy coats shrouding (ha!) the passers-by.
 

onehandbh

G.O.A.T.
The club I play at has the following rules in place:

1. All Group Activities including Junior Academy sessions have been suspended until further notice.

2. Private lessons and court rentals remain without changes.

3. No entry for those who unwell. We will not allow both customers and staff to enter the facility with flu-like symptoms. Please stay at home if you feel even mild symptoms.

4. Requests that no-one arriving from overseas within the last 14 days can visit the facility.

5. If you decide to sit at cafe, please ensure that you don’t sit next to each other and keep the social distance of at least 1m. If there are available tables, we recommend choosing different tables.

6. We ensure that our cafe, kitchen and housekeeping teams follow the highest hygiene standards when it comes to clean furniture and premises. Only single-use paper cups and plates to be used for serving foods and beverages at our cafe.
 

onehandbh

G.O.A.T.
As others have mentioned, balls are a factor.

I'd recommend not putting tennis balls in pockets or dresses. Was hitting with a guy the other day and one of the balls was quite wet from being in his pocket. I hope it was from sweat.

One possibility if you are just rallying or playing points is to never touch the balls during play. Just use your racquet to pick up the balls and store against the back fence behind you.
 
Last edited:

stapletonj

Hall of Fame
This will be controversial. I know a lot of business are worried about getting sued is someone gets Covid at their facilitates (which will be hard to prove - but that won't stop plaintiff lawyers). Should clubs ban players in the vulnerable categories, like seniors?

It would certainly be advisable for older people to limit their risks until this has passed, but it's another thing for them to be banned.
as a plaintiff lawyer with 42 years of experience, I can tell you with 100% certainty that almost no such suit will be even filed unless that attorney has an expert witness already on board saying that based upon their expertise that the specific negligent actions of the defendant caused the plaintiff to become infected. These are contingent fee type cases. and most of the time the attorney has to front the expenses, which essentially makes that contingent too.

The notion that attorneys file meritless suits on a whim in the hopes of a nuisance settlement is a myth.

Virtually no one is wanting to work for free and put their own money into a project that has a small chance of success. The burden of proof is on the plaintiff and has always been.
 

Raul_SJ

G.O.A.T.
Aside from reflecting that my shorts, at least, are full of other things, I can only ask this: How did you reason to the notion that a tennis bag, inert and sitting by the fence, affect social distancing? I'm actually curious. Have you, like WHO's Tedros Adhanam, Dr. Berx, and Dr. Fauci, fallen into the misconception that surfaces are a significant transmitter of SARS-CoV-2 viroids? That masks and hand-washing aren't the keys? It is a respiratory virus. It spreads primarily through particles launched into the air by coughs, sneezes, and even propulsive speech. For that matter, why on earth would you be touching my tennis bag? I've never put my hands on other people's.

No sitting on a bench might be an overreaction. If incoming players spray/wipe down the bench, it should be fine. Or the club can do it,
We will have to check with Dr Fauci on this (if Trump hasn't fired the little guy).
 
Last edited:

Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
My club wisely now allows only singles or private lessons with one student. It is very difficult playing doubles to consistently maintain the six foot separation rule. And, unfortunately, six feet is not really a magic distance as experiments have shown that a cough or sneeze can propel droplets a good twelve feet. Only singles gives you the safer distance.

Also, my club is securing all doors and gates open so no touching is required. Benches and courtside water jugs are removed and the clubhouse is locked.

Because a virus can be propelled more than 6 feet doesn't mean that 6 feet isn't adequate spacing for appropriate social distancing. It's all about innoculum and less about where a few particles of virus are. You can probably be right next to your partner as long as you are running by each other.

But I imagine most places will work with singles first even though I'm sure doubles outdoors is perfectly safe with this virus. If it could be acquired as easily as some people seem to worry about we'd have billions of sick people out there and we'd all have been in official quarantine long ago.
 

ByeByePoly

G.O.A.T.
.
No sitting on a bench might be an overreaction. If incoming players spray/wipe down the bench, it should be fine. Or the club can do it,
We will have to check with Dr Fauci on this (if Trump hasn't fired the little guy).

You are going to have some adults in my hot state run into big trouble if they don't get to sit on changeover (even if you don't change sides). We don't all live in San Diego and San Francisco. Heck ... I would not have finished many tournament single matches even at 25-28. Many of us brought our own chair then because some early rounds might be played at surrounding park/school courts where there might not be a bench. I never lost that habit ... I have a small folding chair I bring to park courts. Maybe that would be safer than the benches ... just space out the chairs. If outside match, I would still change sides ... just keep some distance (opposite side of net for example, or let one pass, then you).

Even the pros sit.

I think it's a valid question "is any tennis safe enough now and worth it". I am wrestling with this now ... they just opened our courts.
 

ByeByePoly

G.O.A.T.
@J011yroger ... our public tennis center opened and I checked for you:

Published rules:

  • No walk up play allowed. Courts must be reserved and paid for online via the Court Reserve App. Court Assignment will be made upon reservation.
  • Players under 18 years of age must be accompanied by parent or guardian.
  • No more than 10 people will be allowed in the building at one time. This includes staff.
  • Players should arrive no more than 10 minutes before their start time and must exit the facility immediately upon completion of play.
  • Do not touch any fixture marked off with caution tape.
  • Showers, lockers, water and ice refill stations, ball machine rental and demo racquets will not be available.
  • Comply with markers on the floor indicating 6-ft social distancing.
  • Payment for all transactions must be by credit card or check, no cash.
  • Indoor courts are not available at this time.
  • No lingering or socializing in any area – inside or outside of the facility.
  • Players must enter courts through open gates only, which must be left open at all times.
  • Arriving players must allow finishing players to exit court before entering.
  • Players must provide their own water container-no large coolers allowed.
  • A new can of balls should be used for each match.
  • Score tenders and trash cans will not be available on courts per USTA guidelines. Please remove and recycle any drink containers.
  • When returning stray balls to an adjacent court, players should send it back with a kick or racquet.
  • No physical contact allowed during play - no handshakes or high fives.
  • No spectators or other congregation allowed on premises.
Talked to my buddy who played there yesterday on opening day:

- they played doubles ... doubles on most courts ... if you restricted to singles only, you would render the facility mute 8-B
- they have stuff you aren't suppose to touch/use marked off with yellow tape, including the benches. Not being honored ... even teaching pro sat on bench
- intended to keep empty court between booked court, but place was full on opening day and used all courts
- my buddy wore a mask into clubhouse ... he said he never saw anyone else with a mask
- clubhouse was suppose to be "distancing" ... but gals :p kept grouping ... yeah, good luck with that
- no one was really making much attempt on the courts to distance ... basically "screw it ... take my chances"
- drill groups restricted to four ... they can't make $ with four.

Friend 's take ... probably will now avoid playing there, we will start hitting on park with two quality courts he found (surprising ... our public courts not maintained since our excellent public tennis center was built). He isn't particularly risk adverse, but was not comfortable with what he witnessed yesterday.
 

J011yroger

Talk Tennis Guru
@J011yroger ... our public tennis center opened and I checked for you:

Published rules:

  • No walk up play allowed. Courts must be reserved and paid for online via the Court Reserve App. Court Assignment will be made upon reservation.
  • Players under 18 years of age must be accompanied by parent or guardian.
  • No more than 10 people will be allowed in the building at one time. This includes staff.
  • Players should arrive no more than 10 minutes before their start time and must exit the facility immediately upon completion of play.
  • Do not touch any fixture marked off with caution tape.
  • Showers, lockers, water and ice refill stations, ball machine rental and demo racquets will not be available.
  • Comply with markers on the floor indicating 6-ft social distancing.
  • Payment for all transactions must be by credit card or check, no cash.
  • Indoor courts are not available at this time.
  • No lingering or socializing in any area – inside or outside of the facility.
  • Players must enter courts through open gates only, which must be left open at all times.
  • Arriving players must allow finishing players to exit court before entering.
  • Players must provide their own water container-no large coolers allowed.
  • A new can of balls should be used for each match.
  • Score tenders and trash cans will not be available on courts per USTA guidelines. Please remove and recycle any drink containers.
  • When returning stray balls to an adjacent court, players should send it back with a kick or racquet.
  • No physical contact allowed during play - no handshakes or high fives.
  • No spectators or other congregation allowed on premises.
Talked to my buddy who played there yesterday on opening day:

- they played doubles ... doubles on most courts ... if you restricted to singles only, you would render the facility mute 8-B
- they have stuff you aren't suppose to touch/use marked off with yellow tape, including the benches. Not being honored ... even teaching pro sat on bench
- intended to keep empty court between booked court, but place was full on opening day and used all courts
- my buddy wore a mask into clubhouse ... he said he never saw anyone else with a mask
- clubhouse was suppose to be "distancing" ... but gals :p kept grouping ... yeah, good luck with that
- no one was really making much attempt on the courts to distance ... basically "screw it ... take my chances"
- drill groups restricted to four ... they can't make $ with four.

Friend 's take ... probably will now avoid playing there, we will start hitting on park with two quality courts he found (surprising ... our public courts not maintained since our excellent public tennis center was built). He isn't particularly risk adverse, but was not comfortable with what he witnessed yesterday.

Thanks,

That's my biggest fear. People just don't give a heck.

They make all these claims about how safe tennis is and how they can be responsible and distant and that nothing should have been closed and then the second they are allowed to do something they ignore all the guidelines.

J
 

ChaelAZ

G.O.A.T.
USPTA Southwest is asking us to update a shared list of our clubs with notes on if they are open, what measures are in place for protection and distancing, are lessons being offered and what kinds, and any other relevant info. Helps other facilities and their pros see what is being done and helps everyone do better for public safety.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Ronaldo

Bionic Poster
This will be controversial. I know a lot of business are worried about getting sued is someone gets Covid at their facilitates (which will be hard to prove - but that won't stop plaintiff lawyers). Should clubs ban players in the vulnerable categories, like seniors?

It would certainly be advisable for older people to limit their risks until this has passed, but it's another thing for them to be banned.
No player over 62, no dubs, and no communal balls? No members
1588396446_exihibition-tennis.png
 

Chas Tennis

G.O.A.T.
Many problems are technical and the best that you can do is to find the best technical information available.

Do not accept poster information without the relevant references to technical information. The original research publications are always best as some of the reporters or others that cut and paste information on the internet can not screen out the bad information very well. There is a lot of bad information.

One very touchy problem is to communicate - as rapidly as possible - Covid 19 tested cases or possible cases or sickness to all players that have been on the tennis courts or the club facilities when the infected player was there. This requires keeping records of who was at the facility, where and when. This also requires self reporting when people that have recently played get sick. Search: tracking contacts of Covid 19 cases. If you don't limit sources of Covid 19 from coming back and spreading it, it might go through the club, for example, by people playing doubles.

If interested people get very serious and look over a lot of information very seriously, but are not educated in virus issues, they can be choosing the wrong thing.

I hope the warmer weather will slow the virus.
 
Last edited:

ByeByePoly

G.O.A.T.
Thanks,

That's my biggest fear. People just don't give a heck.

They make all these claims about how safe tennis is and how they can be responsible and distant and that nothing should have been closed and then the second they are allowed to do something they ignore all the guidelines.

J

I don't think tennis players that have been in lockdown for a month can be trusted ... we all cra-cra. Even in normal times, any adult doubles is often more talk than play (you know I wanted to type ladies doubles ... kids, vacations, dog, college :love: ). Yeah ... you have no chance for less talk and more distance ... ZERO.

This is one of those times where another's heck can affect my heck. I guess it will depend on your tennis herd. The doubles player that hooks often doesn't get invited for doubles. It might be time to shun the "close talker".

 

Ronaldo

Bionic Poster
How bout the tennis players that haven't played or even struck a ball in 6 months? Will they play this year?
 

time_fly

Hall of Fame
Our club is reopening in the middle of the month. However, it's basically like members-only public courts. The building itself won't be open; we will just have access to outdoor courts. We are allowed to play only singles with other members (or doubles but only with members of our own households), every player must bring his own balls, and not touch other players' balls or equipment. Given all that, frankly, I would only go there if our local high school were full.
 

Ronaldo

Bionic Poster
Our club is reopening in the middle of the month. However, it's basically like members-only public courts. The building itself won't be open; we will just have access to outdoor courts. We are allowed to play only singles with other members (or doubles but only with members of our own households), every player must bring his own balls, and not touch other players' balls or equipment. Given all that, frankly, I would only go there if our local high school were full.
That no-touch other players' equipment and/or balls is going too far. Demand freedom,
gettyimages-1211398273-531b1074a74472185e7b78758412930d80efcb60-s800-c85.jpg
 

myke232

Semi-Pro
....doesn't mean that 6 feet isn't adequate spacing for appropriate social distancing...
...It's all about innoculum and less about where a few particles of virus are...
...even though I'm sure doubles outdoors is perfectly safe with this virus...
Thanks Doc, where did you get your medical degree? Wait you are a doctor, right?!
 
Top