Tennis and Corona: “In addition to Seppi and Sinner, it also hits 5.000 South Tyroleans”

“Now health comes first. But when the time comes, we would be one of the first sports that could get started," predicts Richard Weißensteiner, the President of the South Tyrolean Tennis Association, "we would need some time to train and prepare the courts, but in our sport it is relatively easy to avoid close contact.” New dates and modes for championships However, Weißensteiner also knows that the places all over the country will probably remain deserted for weeks. As soon as the first steps back to normality have been taken, the first priority is to go through with the championships, which should actually have started at the beginning of May. For Series C, the 1st category and the Over series, a knockout system is an option, but categories 2 to 4 could switch to June or July and the youth championships could be held during the week. However, “these are just suggestions that still need to be coordinated with the clubs,” explains the country’s highest tennis official. At the same time, he assures: “We will be very flexible, also when it comes to organizing the tournament. The association is very accommodating to the organizers there. We are also looking for alternatives to postpone tournaments but not have to cancel them.” “We will be very flexible” Richard Weissensteiner Weißensteiner is 66 years old, was the only South Tyrolean to chair two associations (FISI and FIT) and has been involved in local sport in various roles and functions since his childhood. Even he cannot remember such a crisis. “It not only affects our figureheads like Andreas Seppi, Jannik Sinner and Verena Meliss, but also around 5.000 registered players in our association.” The international world rankings are frozen, which means that the players do not lose any points due to their break from the tournament. According to Weißensteiner, their main problem is keeping themselves physically and mentally fit. On the other hand, the many employees of the Italian Tennis Association, who are spread across the boot state and do the background work every day, have to deal with completely different everyday worries. They were transferred to the wage compensation fund for nine weeks. “When this time is up, we all hope that the worst is over and that we can once again cheer on the television with our great tennis role models and hit the felt ball again among friends or in the club,” explains Weißensteiner. In addition to the stars of the scene, countless amateur tennis players in the country probably also have the same wish.

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Tennis and Corona: “In addition to Seppi and Sinner, it also hits 5.000 South Tyroleans”

Like numerous other sports, tennis is also struggling with the effects of the corona pandemic. All tournaments and championships have been canceled for the time being, players are puzzling over their future and tennis court operators fear for their existence. However, a glimmer of hope appears.

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