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Unlock Pune: Tennis resumes in the city under safety net on secure courts
The PYC Gymkhana courts are sanitised thrice – before the start of the play, at 3pm and at night after training concludes, said Hemant Bendrey, coach of top Pune
The tennis academies, courts and clubs in the city are back in action since the state government allowed it to resume as part of “outdoor non-team” sporting facilities from August 5 under the coronavirus lockdown easing of restrictions.
Professional players have started practice, following all the social distancing norms, while beginners are yet to hit the courts. There are 40 tennis coaching centres in the city.
“Competitive players are back in action, while I think beginners will take some time. Covid fears might still be on their mind,” said Hemant Bendrey, coach of top Pune and India players like Ankita Raina, Rutuja Bhosale and Arjun Kadhe at the PYC Gymkhana.
Not only has practice started at clubs like Deccan Gymkhana, PYC Gymkhana and Poona Club, but also at other centres as well.
“The PYC Gymkhana courts are sanitised thrice – before the start of the play, at 3pm and at night after training concludes,” said Bendrey.
Sachin Rathi, tennis secretary and committee member, Poona Club, said, “As we are one of the oldest clubs so have opened our tennis courts only for members. We are strictly following all the state government and Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) guidelines for the safety of our members.”
Solaris Club, which has multi-sports facilities, has also begun tennis.
“Senior/junior players have begun their training at the club and the number of players is increasing every day. Special care regarding sanitisation of players and playing equipment is taken. All of the players are behaving responsibly and although it is a new normal, players are starting to adjust,” said Ravindra Pandey, who runs the Ravindra Pandey tennis academy (RPTA) at Solaris Club, Kothrud.
Parents are allowed to accompany wards, but they have to follow strict rules.
“Parents are allowed to sit in the arena, but not near the courts. Once practice is over they are told to leave immediately. Professional players practice for more than an hour, while beginners practice for one hour,” added Pandey.
“Players are happy to be back on the court. In the beginning a few players took time to settle down,” said Navnath Shete owner of Meterocity sports and health club, Ideal colony, Kothrud.
“Since last one month I am working to increase my physical strength and improving on technical aspects of the game. Maximum three players are only allowed to practice on one court. Generally we prefer two,” said Arjun Kadhe, India tennis player
“I am happy to be back on court after such a long break. During lockdown I was following all exercise routines at my home. I am enjoying the new routine which is now followed on courts,” Siddharth Marathe, u-16 player trains at PYC Gymkhana .
“As a parent I fear sometimes of sending my child for practice, but I have to think about the professional aspect and I trust the precautions taken by PYC Gymkhana,” said, Vijayanti Marathe, parent .
Do’s
Temperature check at gates
Sanitising hands, racquet
Not more than three players on practice court at a time
Wearing of mask on club premises when not playing
Don’ts
Handshakes
Seating near each other
Socialising on court, or off it
Avoid touching the mouth in case of handling shared sports equipment
Nitten Kirrtane, senior tennis player says, “The start is slow, but I can see players are following the new norms due to Covid. Soon, more players will be seen on the court.”
