DTB and tennisnet are planning Corona-compliant events for tennis professionals
The German Tennis Association and tennisnet.com are about to start a series of events in which German and Austrian tennis professionals, women and men, can participate - in their respective countries.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Apr 19, 2020, 03:26 pm
Most tennis professionals in Germany and Austria will be able to train again tomorrow, subject to conditions. And that's a good thing: Because in just a few days, a series of events should start in these two countries, which gives the currently unemployed tennis players a chance to make a living again, to collect game practice. And doing something good at the same time. This applies equally to the women on the WTA tour and to the male colleagues from the ATP tour. And it is also clear: Germans and Austrians will remain among themselves in their respective home countries, there will be no transnational travel.
The last details are still to be clarified. What is certain, of course, is that the events take place without a spectator, and all legal requirements due to the corona crisis are met. This also means that only a minimum number of players will be gathered at a venue, plus only one chair umpire at a time. The good news for tennis fans: All matches are to be streamed live and partly broadcast on TV, a strong national cast can be assumed.
Start in Austria at the end of May, in Germany at the beginning of June
Dirk Hordorff, DTB Vice President, and Alexander Antonitsch, tournament director in Kitzbühel, have been working behind the scenes for weeks, exploring all the options regarding the venues and consulting with the authorities. In Germany the DTB will take over the organization, in Austria tennisnet.com is in charge together with Wolfgang Thiem and Jürgen Melzer. There are also talks with the ÖTV. Details of the event series will be announced in the coming week.
The start in Austria should be May 25th, in Germany June 8th. At this point, all tennis instructors and coaches in these two countries should be allowed to go back to work. In addition, the professionals should also be given enough time to get in shape.