Life and the tennis world changed drastically in early March for all of us when professional tennis at Indian Wells canceled their event. The trickle down quickly found its way to the clubs and tennis facilities and ultimately to the day to day life of tennis coaches and players in Music City.
For me personally tennis events, trips and speaking engagements throughout the US and in Europe came to an abrupt halt and has yet to recover or reschedule.
For our college team and players at Martin Methodist our spring tournament in Mobile never got off the ground despite and 8 hour drive down to the facility from Middle Tennessee. Our senior players it was their last road trip as a college tennis player but they did not get to take the court or compete even one last time.
Club tennis at Temple Hills never really got off the ground unfortunately either as outdoor spring tennis typically kicks off in mid March but even by then the pandemic had claimed normal daily life, jobs and lives. The past two months has been life changing to say the least but there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel.
In late April organized tennis at our club began to creep ever so slowly back with a few lessons and small group clinics. Normal tools of the trade like tennis balls, ball hoppers, racquets, water bottles and towels are cleaned and sanitized non stop or just unavailable depending on the situation. Tennis is slowly bouncing back not only for our club and players but for others but the new normal wears gloves, a mask and stays at least 6 feet apart.
By Bill Riddle, May 29, 2020
Tennis DIrector, Temple Hills Country Club
PTR Professional/ USPTA Master Professional
Professional Pickleball Registry Certified Coach
