USTA urges players to take a break from tennis


USTA urges players to take a break from tennis

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United States Tennis Association has urged its players to take a break from tennis, this came after few other big sporting events like The Wimbledon & also The Tokyo Olympics were postponed due to the ongoing Novel CoronaVirus Pandemic.

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Playing tennis might not be a good idea in these critical times, says the U.S. group who are typically busy encouraging more people to take up the sport.

“Based on the recommendations of the USTA COVID-19 Advisory Group, the USTA believes that it is in the best interest of society to take a collective pause from playing the sport we love,” the United States Tennis Association said in a statement on Friday.

“Although there are no specific studies on tennis and COVID-19, medical advisors believe there is the possibility that the virus responsible for COVID-19 could be transmitted through common sharing and handling of tennis balls, gate handles, benches, net posts, and even court surfaces, the statement added.

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The governing body encouraged everyone to stay active and healthy with at-home exercise and creative “tennis-at-home” variations. The U.S. Tennis Association said previously on Tuesday, it was considering “the possibility” of postponing the U.S. Open because of the outbreak.

In a not-so-veiled jab at the French federation, the USTA issued a statement saying that if there were a change in timing, “we recognize that such a decision should not be made unilaterally.”

The USTA added that it would only move its major championship “in full consultation” with others, including Grand Slam organizers, the WTA and ATP tours and the International Tennis Federation.