Tennis Canada President Michael Downey at the Aviva Centre in Toronto, on Aug. 10, 2017. Downey sent a letter to all provincial governments and more than 100 municipalities requesting the reinstatement of the sport in areas that are planning to reopen parks or outdoor facilities.Jeff Chevrier/For The Globe and Mail
Tennis Canada is hoping to see recreational tennis make a return as parts of the country prepare to ease restrictions put in place to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Michael Downey, president and chief executive officer of Tennis Canada, sent a letter to all provincial governments and more than 100 municipalities on Monday requesting the reinstatement of the sport in areas that are planning to reopen parks or outdoor facilities.
Downey said in the letter that tennis can be played while still adhering to physical-distancing measures recommended by Canada’s public health officials.
He said Australia, Argentina and some European countries have already taken this step.
The letter included a list of recommendations for facility administrators on how to gradually implement recreational tennis, and another for players.
The recommendations include standard guidelines for physical distancing and hygiene, as well as limiting access to locker rooms and exercising caution when touching tennis balls.