e-mail published: 7/8/20
web updated: 7/31/20

Issue 1: How to Hit a Forehand During a Pandemic


For this, the inaugural edition of fuzz, I take on the difficult question: 
Can I play tennis during a pandemic? There's a lot of ground to cover in a rally between can, should, and how, so let's get into it - 

We think about those affected and those at risk: the ill, the frontline healthcare workers, essential staff, friends, our families. And each of us take stock of how upside down our own little worlds have become. Which, if you're like me, has meant more time thinking about tennis than playing it for the last several months. I've taken some pretty long breaks from the sport before, so why do I find myself day-dreaming about open-court volleys now? Well, as the virus rips across the Sun Belt, I'm left to wonder; is there any way through this desert? How can I find my way back to the court in a way that's accountable to the public health of my community while keeping me from going insane on the couch? 

 

• Doubles: Teamwork! but...apart-work. Some back-of-the-envelope math shows that two players can be on the same side of the tennis court while staying 6-ft. apart if they are mindful of each other's position and movements. As shown below: even if Roger comes across to hit his one-handed backhand in the middle of the court, he'd still be about 9-ft. away from Serena (as long as she doesn't get too close to the middle in that moment, though Roger should obviously let Serena cover the middle with her brutal forehand). Communication has always been key in doubles: talk to your partner about plans to cover balls down the middle of the court, positional strategies (one player is 'up' at the net while the other is 'back' at the baseline), loudly calling who is going to go after balls in uncertain territory (I like to say "I got it!"), etc. The drawing below is (roughly) to scale, and the fixed measurements (baseline, sideline, service boxes, etc) are standard on all regulation tennis courts. Sadly, regardless of your strategical triumphs, you should probably refrain from high-fives or chest bumps for the time being; it's high time to bring back winks and thumbs-ups. 

• Circulation and footwork. 6-ft. is the oft-cited physical distance from another person for personal safety during the pandemic, but it's not a magical shield against Covid-19 transmission. Fortunately, there is a growing amount of evidence that shows that participating in socially-distant outdoor recreation while being active is low-risk within the spectrum of risky things we can do around others during a pandemic. This has to do with a complex set of variables well beyond my expertise, including how long infectious droplets/aerosols linger in the outdoor air, the amount of those particles one would have to breathe in to become infected, etc. When asked to rank the risk levels of Covid-19 transmission during popular or 'everyday' activities, four Michigan state public health experts recently gave "Playing Tennis" a score of 1 on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being the least risky and 10 being the most risky (gyms, bars, large music concerts, sports stadiums). Keep those feet moving! 

• Mask/Off. I wear a face mask whenever I'm out and about, and I'm the type of person who gets upset when others don't follow this basic level of personal responsibility. Mask-wearing in public is vital, but mask-wearing during physical recreation is a gray area: the World Health Organization says people should not wear a mask while exercising because of possible breathing difficulties and potential 'microorganism' buildup from sweat accumulation. 

In Pasadena, I've seen people walking outdoors yell at runners who aren't wearing masks. The current California state mandate requires masks in public spaces, except during outdoor exercise in which you can maintain a 6-ft distance from others (and for those with certain medical conditions, children under two years old, etc). Based on policies at the facility where I teach and from conversations with other tennis pros in California and across the U.S., none of the tennis clubs I've heard about are currently requiring masks while you play - so there are many players and pros who are not wearing masks while on-court (off-court spaces throughout tennis facilities, like walkways, clubhouses, etc. are mostly requiring masks). I've generally seen the same from players at public tennis courts around Los Angeles. 
Since LA has, anecdotally and by way of its current mandate, shown an inclination for mask-wearing in public but not during outdoor exercise, it's safe to say that if you're thinking of going out and playing tennis with family or friends or enrolling in tennis lessons, you can expect to see unmasked players at the courts. In the few times I've been out to play tennis recently I've worn my mask to and from the tennis court, but I chose not to wear a mask while playing singles. This might seem like a heavy dose of backspin from my comments at the beginning of this section, but based on the current research, guidelines from health organizations, and tolerances built into the mandate from CA Governor Newsom, I believe that, for now, I can safely and responsibly play socially-distant outdoor tennis without a mask. 

• Unforced Errors. Meanwhile, (former pro and legend) Boris Becker is in a twitter feud with (former 'badboy' and current pro) Nick Kyrgios about who should be blamed for the tournament that went viral in the worst way. Stateside, American tennis star John Isner mocked opponents of his decision to promote upcoming public tennis events, calling them "coronabros" in a tweet while deriding them to "stay in your basement all you want." Isner continued to plug his appearance at a tennis tournament in Atlanta, where fans will be gathering in the audience as Covid-19 cases spike in the community. Yikes. UPDATE: American Frances Tiafoe, ranked #81 in the world, tested positive for Covid-19 at the All-American Team Cup tournament (the very same tournament that Isner was promoting) after his match against Sam Querrey on Friday July 3, and has officially withdrawn from the tournament. According to the Washington Post, "The event is allowing a limited number of fans and not requiring masks, though will provide them if requested." Yikes. How does this all bode for the upcoming US Open in New York (Aug.31-Sep.13)? Stay tuned...

(sorry, tennis metaphors will be a huge part of fuzz),
there's a lot hanging in the balance (literally, if we're still talking about viral particles). I hope I was able to shed some light on the tennis landscape in a way that helps you work through your own decisions on whether it's OK to go outside and play. Of course, I am not a medical expert, and any opinions expressed within are mine alone and should not be misconstrued as medical advice. I encourage everyone to stay informed, follow your local public health mandates, and trust scientists. As we learn more about the virus, we can expect changes: public health mandates will shift, official guidance from experts will adapt, and our response to the epidemic will evolve. As for your forehands, during an epidemic: Aim high, don't forget the topspin, and play it safe.

When you eat, sleep, and sweat tennis. 
Friend, scientist, and fellow tennis enthusiast Dr. Keir Balla took this image while viewing a specimen of skin cells under his microscope.

Before you go, I'd like to highlight the work of the Southern Law Poverty Center, specifically the Teaching Tolerance program. Covid-19 and the resulting pandemic lockdowns in the U.S. have halted schools and many youth programs, and while online classes are being used as an alternative to physically gathering in classrooms, it makes me wonder what effects this saga will have on the kids. Will the Kids be Alright? I know they're tough, but I still wonder about the ripple effects this will have on friendships, social learning, guidance and mentorships, participating in team sports, building community etc. As the country faces increasingly dire levels of political polarization, stoking what some are calling "culture wars" (aka racism), the Teaching Tolerance program provides resources for educators, parents, coaches, etc. to facilitate discussions around Race & Ethnicity, Religion, Ability, Class, Immigration, Gender and Sexual Identity, and more. If we can do the work of getting these conversations started, and lifting them up whenever we can, we can start moving our communities towards a place of stronger awareness, tolerance, empathy and understanding. Please consider donating to the Southern Law Poverty Center if you have the ability to do so. 

e-mail published: 7/8/20
web published: 7/31/20