A NEW RACKET

In a pandemic, it’s advantage, outdoor tennis

Tennis is a sport that’s conducive to social distancing, an especially important aspect in the coronavirus era.

But, distancing or not, indoor tennis clubs have been closed throughout the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fortunately, tennis fans can choose from a number of municipal outdoor tennis courts that have recently reopened, including courts in Stamford and Greenwich. Another option is the family-owned Wire Mill Racquet Club in Stamford, which offers a unique tennis experience — the opportunity to play on one of four outdoor clay courts.

“We are one of the only red clay court clubs around, especially a club open to the public,” said Ricardo Leon, who owns Wire Mill with his father, Roberto Leon. “My dad is from South America, so we grew up on clay courts. There is so much tennis in this area and a lot of indoor clubs in this area. People really enjoy our clay courts.”

Wire Mill is open seven days a week to the public, and no membership is required. Courts can be rented by the hour. There are certified, professional coaches on hand to offer lessons to juniors and adults at all levels of play.

“Our goal is to get back to the sport we all love, while implementing new specific USTA safety guidelines for our families, friends and staff,” Ricardo Leon said. “Our professional coaches are ready and prepared to provide instruction following these guidelines.”

Located on 578 Wire Mill Road in Stamford, Wire Mill Club has been located in town for more than 50 years.

“The feedback has been pretty positive. We are lucky to have a loyal customer base, because we have been in the area so long,” Ricardo Leon said.

The Leon family also owns Greenwich Racquet Club, which has been in town for more than 40 years. While outdoor tennis is available, all its indoor tennis facilities have been closed since mid-March, due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Indoor tennis facilities are included in Connecticut’s Phase 2 of its reopening plan, which is scheduled for June 20.

“Indoor clubs are closed, which is very devastating for business,” Leon said. “June 20 is the date indoor clubs can open and by then, we all will have been closed for three months. Three months having zero revenue is devastating.”

A facility that’s open throughout the year, Greenwich Racquet Club accounts for 80 percent of the Leon family’s tennis business Ricardo Leon said.

He said petitions have been sent to state and local representatives by individuals expressing their desire for indoor tennis courts to reopen.

“Tennis is made for social distancing; it’s a noncontact sport,” Leon said. “Players don’t use each other’s equipment. Right now, the biggest part of the tennis industry is closed. Having our main indoor facility Greenwich Racquet Club closed for months has been really tough financially for our small business and our employees. We are lucky to have an additional outdoor facility and are very thankful to our loyal customers and all their support.”

“We are one of the only red clay court clubs around, especially a club open to the public.”

Ricardo Leon, co-owner, Wire Mill Racquet Club in Stamford

Contributed photos The Wire Mill Racquet Club in North Stamford is one of the few outdoor clubs that is currently open. The club, which has been in the city for more than 50 years, is family owned. “Tennis is made for social distancing; it’s a non-contact sport,” said Wire Mill co-owner Ricardo Leon.