No fans, No Problem

By Jen Azevedo - Tennis and Pickleball Director

In just 60 days, we will watch the start of a never-before seen month of tennis on TV.

The Western and Southern Open has been moved to New York to help keep players in the same space for both the Western and Southern Open straight into the little-known US Open.  Just kidding.  The US Open in Flushing Meadows is one of four Majors in the tennis world, and will be the first to see action since the start of our Covid-19 shutdown.  Wimbledon was cancelled and the French Open was pushed to fall, so the US Open will  be the first opportunity for anyone to watch a major since Australia in January.  Not that anyone will be on hand to see it live.  This Major will be played sans fans.  Even the pros who are coming to play will be severely limited in the number of their entourages who will be allowed inside the arena.

As we have started finding our tennis legs again, we've had an opportunity to rediscover our love for the game. While we prepare to return to our tennis leagues, USTA, tournaments and events, we have found joy in the sport, and it has been amazing.  We will all miss the opportunity to see screaming fans inside Arthur Ashe  and Louis Armstrong Stadium, but we are so excited to see a return of our highest level athletes play the game.

Back at home, I've been so happy to watch our Paseo players hit the courts and get some fun sets in.  I feel like everyone is so happy to be playing again that the thrill of the competition is more exciting than when we left our sport.  I hope that thrill never leaves.  We slowly get back to our league play, let's ENJOY our tennis and our competition.  And then put our masks back on before we leave. :)