As group lessons and squads are cancelled on account of coronavirus fears, Sport Editor Sam Grossman examines whether a local game of tennis constitutes a perfect way of letting off some steam or an unnecessary risk.
Since decisions were taken by the Football Association and English Cricket Board to suspend recreational football and cricket respectively, many Hackney residents will be seeking an alternative method of keeping fit.
Tennis offers a safer option for those determined to continue playing sport as the sport doesn’t require close contact – players are able to play individually and are separated by a net.
However, there remains substantial debate over whether players should drop their rackets until the coronavirus pandemic is resolved.
Some Hackney residents desperate to continue playing have argued that the very nature of the game means it remains safe to continue playing as Coronavirus spreads.
Kyneil Grant, 25, aims to reach a semi-professional level in the next two years. He believes that with some minor changes, tennis should be considered a safe sporting option despite current coronavirus fears.
“Tennis is different from other sports as you don’t come too close to your opponent,” he said. “I’m still playing this week, although we’ve now been told to touch rackets instead of shaking hands.”
Grant, who lives in Haggerston, has pledged to continue playing in local tennis leagues throughout the summer. One reason for his defiance comes from his concern about the impact staying away from the game might have on his mental health.
“For me, tennis is something that if you stop, you can easily become depressed. A world without sports equals depression for everyone,” he warned.
Jadran Malkovich, 42, is an actor who has also been teaching tennis in Hackney for over six years. He also believes that the nature of the game ensures that it is safe to play for the time being.
“Playing singles is a very good way of staying away from close proximity and is still really good exercise,” he said. “Even playing doubles you can avoid personal contact as you have to cover a whole court between the two of you.”
Potential Dangers
However, others are more worried about the potential impact of continuing as normal. Jennifer Johnson, 66, has been coaching for over three decades. Whilst she refuses to force others to avoid playing, she believes it is impossible to play tennis without the risk of contracting the coronavirus.
“Tennis players sweat, tennis players pick up balls, tennis players handle balls when they serve or start a point,” she warns. “They wipe sweat away with their hands. From their face. You can be as careful as you want, if you come into contact with other people or objects they touch, there is the potential you will get it.
“Of course we need to exercise, but if you play it’s at your own risk. Are you ready to take that chance?”
Hackney boasts a number of free-to-use courts, such as the three at Springfield Park or the one at Hackney Downs adjacent to Stormont School.
As well as these publicly-owned courts, 22 courts are owned by the Hackney Tennis programme, which is run in partnership with the London Borough of Hackney. These fully-maintained macadam tarmac courts are available to rent at a highly subsidised rate of £4.20 per hour. All these courts, which can be found at locations such as Clissold Park, Hackney Downs, London Fields and Millfields, are also free-to-use before 10am on weekdays.
The organisation typically provides a full coaching and social tennis programme, ranging from camps for children to opportunities for over 55’s. However, Hackney Tennis today announced its decision to suspend all group lessons and school sessions with immediate effect, including their annual Easter holiday training camp.
But Hackney Tennis continue to open their courts to the public and private lessons are still going ahead. Players have been told to “maintain distance while on court, do not shake hands and wash hands thoroughly after playing.” The pavilion at Clissold Park is also now no longer to be used as a social space.
Change in Policy
This represents a marked change in approach. Malkovich recalls being told on Sunday to continue as usual. “I received a letter from the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) and the manager of the club, telling us to keep going with all our sessions,” he said.
Despite being allowed to continue coaching, Malkovich expects to see the numbers of adults playing tennis in the capital take a hit. “Even though we won’t stop completely, people aren’t going to be playing as much,” he added.
Ben Stannard, a 24-year-old tennis events manager, is more ominous about the complications caused by the pandemic for people who make a living through tennis. “I have a lot of friends who are professional tennis players and their income has totally evaporated, with no support from tennis organisations,” he said. “They are literally searching for money.”
Stannard fails to understand why people are reluctant to play tennis yet remain seemingly happy to visit places that are “surely more of a risk than tennis,” such as cafes and shops.
