Vanesa Lopez
08/17/2020 - 13:59
- Clarín.com
- Society
Emotion. That is the word shared by those who returned to the tennis courts this Monday morning, after five months of inactivity due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition to tennis and paddle tennis -both in their single version-, the activities allowed from this week are equestrian, paddle ball, running teams, sailing, rowing, kayaking, canoeing, athletics, golf, driving, archery, climbing, BMX , federated cycling, figure skating, running skate and skateboarding. All in the individual mode.
“We are very happy, people are desperate to move. We have people from other sports: who used to play squash, who played football, and now they come to play tennis ”, says Vanesa Domínguez, manager of the Residencial Tennis Club in the Villa Devoto neighborhood of Buenos Aires.
In this four-court property the grid is complete for every day, from 8 to 23. There is very little room left in two months.
"Today 20 people must have called to play," details Domínguez, who attributes part of the "boom" to the arrival of people from the Province , where the activity is not yet enabled.
In fact, at the end of July, the provincial Health Minister, Daniel Gollán, had referred to the fact that "the liberation of individual sports" was unknown. The official said that tennis could not return "due to the risk of contagion it generates" and remarked that the ball is "the great concentrator of the virus."
It was in the City where the return of this sport was allowed, as part of the new phase of the quarantine that began this week.
"The return to sports activity will be under strict protocols and users must respect both the general recommendations and restrictions of the facilities, as well as those particular to each sport that were developed by the different sports federations and associations," indicates the Buenos Aires government in its website.
In the club that Clarín visited , the "protocol" includes entering through one door and leaving through another. The changing rooms are closed. There is alcohol gel in sight and the staff sanitizes the benches frequently. Distances must be maintained and masks must be worn until entering the court (when playing, it is not used).
“We are with great expectations, desperate to play. We can't believe how it took so long. Because this, it seems to me, is a political issue. There is no justification for us not having started the tennis activity earlier ”, says Hernán Perazzo, as he warms up.
"But that's it. Here we are, we came back," celebrates Hernán, aware that the body will take its toll after five months of quiet . You fear that you have lost your timing and "not catch a" ball. That is why, together with his partner, Daniela Manesi, they planned to start small. "Let's go slowly", they agree.
"This is important. It unloads you psychologically , not just physically. Sports are important. Today I feel relief," analyzes the man who, to stay trained, every day went up and down 40 floors of the building where he lives.
They were also anxious for the reunion four friends who have played every Sunday for 20 years. “Waiting for me to pick up Pancho was like waiting for my first girlfriend,” jokes Fernando. "And it is the first time that he waits for me," Francisco concludes.
This Monday was a splendid morning of tennis. Photo: Luciano Thieberger.
What did not return is the social leg of this sport. As reported by the Buenos Aires government, the current regulations are to restrict common areas and stay before and after sports is prohibited. Attendees other than athletes, such as public or companions, are not allowed.
This changed the habit of these four friends, who usually stay to eat after games. But this Monday it was impossible, because the confectionery was not enabled to sit, it only made drinks. So the quartet had to be limited to sports . Enter, take their turn, and each go home.
The tennis players, happy on their day of return to the courts. Photo: Luciano Thieberger.
Another difference is that they usually play double, but now they had to adapt to single tennis , which is the only thing allowed. The solution they found was to occupy two fields. So, instead of playing for two hours - as is usual for them - they reduced to one, aware that the single is more demanding.
Anyway, they were so eager to go back, that they assure that the time "flew by", as if it had been 10 minutes. Next Sunday they will have their revenge.
Look also
Coronavirus in Argentina: photos of the impact of the covid-19 outbreak in our country
Keys to safe practice
Some recommendations of the Argentine Tennis Association (AAT), released by the Buenos Aires Government, are the following:
* Use a maximum of six balls , which must be previously disinfected and ensure that each player has their own balls for service.
* Entering the court must be done one player at a time maintaining the corresponding distance and located at opposite ends of the court to leave their belongings.
* Avoid side changes and try to make rallies from the bottom of the court, without approaching the net.
GS