USTA Update - As many of you will already know, on Friday 4/3 the United States Tennis Association released this statement recommending the cessation of play nationwide. No doubt the intentions were good, but the result is out of bounds and harmful. Based on conversations with members and others in the industry that concern is shared and warrants a response so it does not have undue influence on our Governor and become a new law within days.
We believe we have already addressed the concerns raised in the USTA's statement--gates are open, other common-touch items (water, ball machine, etc.) have been removed, and we've devised strict single-player ball rules. These restrictions go beyond anything we're aware of other facilities doing, and we believe that when followed these restrictions keep players safe. Health and safety is our main concern for members and staff alike, and there is great therapeutic value for all in outdoor exercise. We believe outdoor activities and exercising can be done in a manner which adheres to social distancing and minimizes any chance of cross contamination, tennis included.
The USTA admits its advice is not based on any actual study or evidence. In suggesting a national policy rather than suggesting safe practices and problem solving, it is giving itself power that no Governor or the President has exercised relative to enforcing the same policies in every state, every facility type, and localities rural and urban. Further, the claim of the court itself possibly being an issue calls into question every floor, road, and sidewalk in America. A tennis player wanting to be abundantly cautious could simply remove their shoes upon leaving a court if there were really an issue, which the USTA admits there may not be.
Please contact the USTA and have your voice heard. We also encourage members to contact the VA Governor's Office and their state Delegate (most likely either Rob Bell or Bryce Reeves). Request that the USTA rescind its statement, or at least qualify it to public, non-supervised facilities because private clubs can monitor members it knows well and has a relationship with to make sure they're adhering to best practices for the safety of all. There is also a change.org petition to sign here. Help us keep the courts open!
We believe we have already addressed the concerns raised in the USTA's statement--gates are open, other common-touch items (water, ball machine, etc.) have been removed, and we've devised strict single-player ball rules. These restrictions go beyond anything we're aware of other facilities doing, and we believe that when followed these restrictions keep players safe. Health and safety is our main concern for members and staff alike, and there is great therapeutic value for all in outdoor exercise. We believe outdoor activities and exercising can be done in a manner which adheres to social distancing and minimizes any chance of cross contamination, tennis included.
The USTA admits its advice is not based on any actual study or evidence. In suggesting a national policy rather than suggesting safe practices and problem solving, it is giving itself power that no Governor or the President has exercised relative to enforcing the same policies in every state, every facility type, and localities rural and urban. Further, the claim of the court itself possibly being an issue calls into question every floor, road, and sidewalk in America. A tennis player wanting to be abundantly cautious could simply remove their shoes upon leaving a court if there were really an issue, which the USTA admits there may not be.
Please contact the USTA and have your voice heard. We also encourage members to contact the VA Governor's Office and their state Delegate (most likely either Rob Bell or Bryce Reeves). Request that the USTA rescind its statement, or at least qualify it to public, non-supervised facilities because private clubs can monitor members it knows well and has a relationship with to make sure they're adhering to best practices for the safety of all. There is also a change.org petition to sign here. Help us keep the courts open!