WASHINGTON, April 15, 2020 (by Michael Dickens)
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) of Britain announced it will donate 5,000 tennis racquets for distribution to low socio-economic groups through StreetGames, it’s Official Charity Partner.
The LTA will distribute the tennis racquets to nine locations across the country to be distributed by 60 StreetGames partners “to the young people they support within their communities, alongside food packages and essential items,” according to a press release. Along with the racquet distribution, recipients will be given a leaflet with a number of tennis activities they can do at home, as well as being directed to an online video series featuring further home-based tennis drills and exercises.
The move is part of the LTAs “Tennis at Home” campaign, which was developed in response to the Government’s call to “help keep the nation active during the current period of restrictions, and supports StreetGames effort to provide alternative ways for young people from disadvantaged communities to stay active at home in the absence of regular sports sessions.”
Julie Porter, LTA chief operating officer, said, “We’re very pleased to be working with StreetGames, as part of our vision to open tennis up to more people, by putting racquets in the hands of the young people they work with through our Tennis at Home campaign and LTA Youth activities.
“This is a difficult time for us all, but potentially even more so for young people from disadvantaged communities, and so it’s more important than ever that everyone is given the opportunity to find enjoyable ways to stay active at home. It is great that we can help provide an outlet for those people who are currently not able to attend the sports sessions that are so vital to their physical and mental wellbeing.”
Second time Monte-Carlo has not crowned a champion
The New York Times tennis correspondent Christopher Clarey reminded us when he wrote on Twitter Tuesday: “No Monte Carlo Open this year because of the coronavirus. Last time there was no champion was 1981 when Vilas and Connors stopped at 5-5 in the 1st set of the final on a rain-delayed Monday. They promised to come back later in the year and never did!”
No Monte Carlo Open this year because of the coronavirus.
Last time there was no champion was 1981 when Vilas and Connors stopped at 5-5 in the 1st set of the final on a rain-delayed Monday. They promised to come back later in the year and never did! https://t.co/T3qT5yxjgv
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) April 14, 2020
What they’re saying
John Isner, ranked No. 21 and a member of the ATP Player Council: “There’s a very real possibility that – and we’re aware of it – that we may not play this summer in America. That would suck, but we’re bracing ourselves.” Isner appeared on #TennisTuesday with Nick McCarvel and Blaine Henley.
What they’re writing
• Salvaging the 2020 tennis season: Joel Drucker and Steve Tignor of Tennis.com discuss the chances for tennis returning in 2020 and how the sport might change once the coronavirus crisis has passed.
Instead of scores, these days sports fans are inundated with desperate plans to salvage seasons.
In this week’s #MondayRally, @joeldrucker and @SteveTignor talk about the chances for tennis in 2020 and how the game might change once the crisis has passed: https://t.co/GUQ2yrHkdc
— TENNIS (@Tennis) April 13, 2020
• Tumaini Carayol, The Guardian tennis writer, notes that the men’s and women’s tours have formed an unlikely alliance amid the Covid-19 chaos. “The rogue French Open forced the various governing bodies to unite for a coordinated response and it seems to have reaffirmed the need for closer cooperation. As the coronavirus outbreak continues to unfold, the ATP and WTA now work in unison and send out joint statements. On Friday the tours took things further by announcing “Tennis United”, a YouTube web show featuring male and female players together. Presently, the ATP and WTA social media accounts don identical avatars and coordinated posts.”
What they’re podcasting
The Racquet Podcast – This week, host Rennae Stubbs shares an enjoyable conversation with 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic. Come to find out, Ivanisevic won Wimbledon with just two racquets and two shirts!
What they’re tweeting
Daria Kasatkina, Russia, ranked No. 66
My hopes to play some tennis this year🙂 #DD pic.twitter.com/IjqYilTLUz
— Daria Kasatkina (@DKasatkina) April 14, 2020
ATP Tour / Alexander Zverev, ranked No. 7
Putting in that work 💪
🎥: @AlexZverev | #tennisathome pic.twitter.com/1cWCv3Fcos
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 14, 2020
Katie Swan, Great Britain, ranked No. 254
Found a new hobby during quarantine and finally finished my first one 😋🎨 #PaintingByNumbers #StayHome pic.twitter.com/bN33PG1H5F
— Katie Swan (@Katieswan99) April 13, 2020
Stuart Fraser, The Times of London tennis correspondent
440 days to Wimbledon 2021… pic.twitter.com/Qtkg43Qs86
— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) April 14, 2020
