Roadmap Statement

T&RA Statement updated 10th May

The Prime Minister confirmed the country will move to Step 3 in the government’s roadmap for easing lockdown restrictions in England on Monday 17 May.

The government announced that there will be a change to close contact rules, enabling the public to make informed personal decisions. The T&RA is working with the Sport England to understand what this change in close contact means for Tennis and Rackets and will revert as soon as there is more information.

The government plans to update the sport specific guidance later this week with the new changes in restrictions that come into play at Step 3.

Updates will be published shortly to our detailed Covid-19 Secure guidance documents for Tennis and Rackets players and clubs.

The Step 3 guidance applies from Monday 17 May, with the key changes from Step 2 being that Real Tennis and Rackets play is permitted for players from different households. This includes both singles and doubles, although the social distancing measures are still to be clarified for doubles.

You can download the summary grids for Tennis and Rackets players and clubs.

Step 2 Indoor Restrictions: T&RA Statement

The T&RA is bitterly disappointed that the Government has decided that socially distanced individual sports like Real Tennis is unable to resume indoors for adults from different households under the Step 2 restrictions. From this same date, individuals will be able to circulate in far closer proximity in shops and other indoor locations, however they will not be able to play singles Real Tennis.

The T&RA fully understands the priority needs to remain on preventing the spread of the virus; however, we affirm that Tennis is a fundamentally safe and naturally socially distanced sport in comparison to a trip to the shops. The activity takes place on a court of over 400 m² with players physically separated by a net. Preventing adult indoor singles from taking place is therefore an unnecessary restriction when every extra day that clubs can book out courts will help them repair the damages to their finances which they have inevitably experienced through the COVID pandemic.

The T&RA will continue to fight this decision which is illogical and not based on the true risk.