Time to Rally: The Three Wise Monkeys

April 24, 2020 | By Steven Kaplan
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Photo courtesy of Getty Images

 

The USTA just published guidelines for safely reopening tennis facilities.

In speaking with many of my colleagues in the industry, the general consensus is that some of these recommendations are difficult and unrealistic to implement.

For example, it’s very unlikely, but theoretically possible, that the virus could be spread by touching a contaminated tennis ball. Therefore all balls should be marked and each player should only touch the balls designated for them. 

This is just not going to happen without mistakes, and all it would take is one mishap to render this protocol ineffective.

Nevertheless, I am grateful to the USTA to have the FACTS, even if these facts are not to my liking because they are inconvenient, or do not provide any easy solutions.

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil?

No thanks!

 


Steven Kaplan
Owner and Managing Director of Bethpage Park Tennis Center

Steve Kaplan is the owner and managing director of Bethpage Park Tennis Center, as well as director emeritus of Lacoste Academy for New York City Parks Foundation, and executive director and founder of Serve &Return Inc. Steve has coached more than 1,100 nationally- ranked junior players, 16 New York State high school champions, two NCAA Division 1 Singles Champions, and numerous highly-ranked touring professionals. Many of the students Steve has closely mentored have gone to achieve great success as prominent members of the New York financial community, and in other prestigious professions. In 2017, Steve was awarded the Hy Zausner Lifetime Achievement Award by the USTA. He may be reached by e-mail at StevenJKaplan@aol.com.

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