Austria’s loosened lockdown means tennis players can return to the court as long as they stick to coronavirus-related rules — singles only, no touching each other’s tennis balls, and definitely no shaking hands at the net. Government allowed to resume from 1 May, part of the second wave of lockdown easing.
Tennis is one of several social-distancing compatible sports. Golf, horse riding, archery, shooting and mini-golf will resume from May 1.
Austria introduced its lockdown seven weeks ago and first relaxed it on April 14, when some shops were allowed to reopen. Leaving home for exercise like jogging was officially encouraged but sports clubs were closed.
During quarantine, I was wondering which wall I could play against, and now I’m glad that I can finally play on the court,” a player who gave his name as Yannis said at Smashing Suns.
Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler of the Greens, who is also the sports minister, said it would be decide what new rules to impose to prevent infections.
“The players will definitely stick to them (the new rules), also because we check that they do. They are very disciplined and I think the pleasure of playing is greater than the willingness to risk something,” the club’s co-owner Dieter Mocker said.
“People definitely miss playing doubles. Almost 80% of our members want to play doubles, and we hope that will be possible again soon,” he said.
Michaela Werni is a regular player and the last few weeks very bad for him without any exercise.
“In this pandemic situation, not seeing my friend has a drastic situation for me but now I will be able to move around outdoors with my friends even if it with some restrictions” Said by Michaela Werni.
