ATP: Out for bubble restrictions after the Masters in Rome
According to reports from Tennis Majors , the bubble restrictions on the ATP tour will be drastically relaxed after the ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: May 09, 2021, 10:48 am
Life in the bubble, the impossibility to move freely in the city of the tournament and the "imprisonment" in the hotel rooms have always been the target of criticism from a number of players in the last few weeks. From Denis Shapovalov to the eccentric Benoit Paire: In the routine of tennis pros, nobody was really happy with the solution that required a reasonably safe hosting of the tournaments at the time of COVID-19.
Now the bubbles are said to have an expiry date very soon, and easing for the players should come after the ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome. This is mainly due to the fact that antigen tests are being used across the board with the tournaments in Geneva and Lyon. Players are now tested every two days, unlike the PCR tests, which were only performed every four days.
Vaccinated Player Privileges
Furthermore, there should also be privileges for all those players who have already received their second vaccination dose - and this was more than 14 days ago, in order to guarantee full vaccination protection. In addition, it should be allowed again in the future to look for private accommodation at the tournaments - and not to be accommodated in a large player hotel as usual.
However, visits to pubs, nightclubs and concerts will continue to be prohibited, according to the Tennis Majors report. Things that will probably only be allowed to a very limited extent for a while due to the local COVID regulations, which takes some wind out of the sails of this ban.
Here is a list of things that should be allowed in the future:
- Leaving designated areas during tournaments
- Eating in outdoor restaurants outside the tournament area
- Pick up takeaway food from restaurants
- Unlimited outdoor exercise
- Share accommodation with unauthorized persons
- Stay in alternative hotels outside the bubble
- Use public transport
- Visiting a public swimming pool or a beach
- To go to the barber