Tennis on the upswing during pandemic
Tennis has been ranked by the Texas Medical Association as one of the least risky activities during COVID-19. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the safest, tennis is a 2, the same as pumping gasoline or ordering takeout.
Swimming in a pool is a 6, while playing basketball or football is a 7, the same risk as hugging a friend or shaking hands. Working out at a gym is an 8.
“Tennis is a good example of a sport that is really well suited to a pandemic,” said Dr. Linda Yancey, infectious disease specialist at Memorial Hermann hospital in Houston. “You’re outside. You’re distant from the person you’re with. It’s perfect.”
Players should wear a mask on the way to the court, bring hand sanitizer and observe the distance prescribed by the lines on any tennis court. “Now is not the time for that sportsmanly handshake,” Yancey said.
Being safe is still paramount, she added. “As much as possible, stay vigilant. Stay on guard. And it’s vitally important that everyone gets their flu shots.”
Emily Schaefer, director of tennis for the city of Houston, manages three tennis centers for the Parks and Recreation Department, as well as the youth tennis program.
Schaefer is noticing some new faces at the tennis centers.
“And a lot of times, they have a new racket,” she added. “Every now and then, I stop and ask if they’re new to tennis. A lot of them will say yes.
“It’s encouraging to think that we might get a new group of tennis players coming out of this pandemic,” Schaefer said.
Individuals of all ages, backgrounds and abilities come to the courts.
“You might have a 5-year-old playing — and there are also tournaments where people are playing at 90 years old,” Schaefer said. “There’s always an opportunity for you. That’s one of the things that makes this sport great.”
The ball doesn’t know who’s
hitting it, she continued. “It doesn’t know if you’ve had a private coach or just walked in off the street. It just knows that you want to play your heart out and have a great time,” Schaefer said.
She grew up playing tennis, stuck with the sport through college and later coached. Schaefer said that youth can learn important life lessons through tennis — not only how to stay healthy but also how to face challenges, struggle for improvement and work with others.
“And it gets kids outside,” Schaefer said. “In this day and age, that’s not something you can take for granted.”
Jose Martinez, co-director of Houston Tennis Academy, has also noticed an increase in interest in the year-round junior program.
“We’ve definitely had some new kids join,” he said. “It’s been nice to see new faces.”
Martinez said more members have joined the club in general, and he even sees more people out on tennis courts near his house.
“They want to exercise and be outside,” he said. “I’ve noticed so many people coming out. People who don’t even know how to play.”
They’re interested in being healthier, Martinez said, and tennis fits the bill.
“Your health is so important, and this pandemic has made more people realize how dire health is,” he explained. “And you can continue playing as long as you can pick up a racket.”
With tennis courts in neighborhoods, at schools and even in apartment complexes, Martinez said, there is almost always a nearby option for someone who wants to give the sport a try.
“It’s great exercise in general, but on top of that, I genuinely believe people will enjoy it,” he said. “Try it out. It’s definitely worth your time. Just grab a racket and a ball.”
You don’t even have to get an expensive new racket, Martinez added. “You can borrow one or just buy one used, get a can of balls and you’re good to go,” he said.
Tennis shop manager Brad Blume has noticed the uptick in interest lately.
“We are seeing an increase in tennis purchases, as new players try tennis and former players get back in the game,” Blume said. “People want to get out of the house. They want to be active. And tennis is one of the safest sports.”
Noting the number of online resources available for new players, Schaefer offered a note of encouragement.
“Give it a try,” Schaefer said. “Tennis is a great sport, and you’ll have fun. It’s as much about having a good time with people as it is about exercise.”
Schaefer added that playing a match is also an ideal way to forget about social isolation for a while.
“You can keep your distance, but you’re not socially distant,” she said. “It solves some of those problems of not feeling connected. You get to talk as you hit the ball back and forth. You get to laugh while you run.”
“Tennis is a good example of a sport that is really well suited to a pandemic. You’re outside. You’re distant from the person you’re with. It’s perfect.”
Dr. Linda Yancey, infectious disease specialist at Memorial Hermann hospital in Houston