Allow safe, socially distanced indoor tennis in Washington!

Indoor tennis is one of the safest sports we can play during Covid, and provides valuable mental and physical benefits during this dark winter for adults, teens, and children.

Tennis is a game where people are standing 40 feet apart from one another, striking a ball without touching it with their hands.  As a community, we learned a process in which we can ensure players do not pick up the ball with their hand and can segregate balls so the server only uses the balls they brought.  

As clubs have the ability to open doors and screens for circulation and the volume of air in a club is significant in relation to the space occupied by people, players should be given the chance to continue playing. The vast, open, airy space of a tennis court is very different from a small gym with exercise equipment in close proximity, and should not be considered the same.  

Clubs and professional coaches have worked hard to ensure all patrons wear masks, follow guidelines and can play safely. Protocols include spacing court times so players don’t interact with other people and sanitizing nets and benches after each court use. Some clubs have removed all water stations and any other high touch equipment.  

Tennis is different from many other sports because contact is minimal.  Players would surely wear masks during play if that was the only option or only play singles if that was the option.

Clubs and players of tennis should not be lumped into a category of all gyms and sports given it is possible to play safely with minimal risk.

Tennis provides social and mental health benefits to adults and youth without creating health risks. In addition, studies show that exercise boosts the immune system, which is key during a pandemic. We respectfully ask the state to consider every opportunity to allow options to safely exercise.

Please allow indoor tennis courts to reopen.