Football has fell victim to it, cricket has fallen victim to it, now tennis is feeling the fall out of the Coronavirus. There was the infamous Belgrade tournament, which Djokovic arranged and most of the competitors ended up getting the virus.
The Australian Open, which is due to start in early February, has seen the build up to the tournament over shadowed by several players having to isolate for 14 days in their hotels due to Covid concerns. Serb Djokovic did write a letter to tournament organisers, in the aim to try and improve conditions and get organisers to relax quarantine rules.
That move by the six-time Australian Open, was badly criticised by many, but the man himself has tried to clear any misunderstandings. Former Wimbledon champion Sir Andy Murray is one high profile name, who has been affected by Covid, which further emphasises the calibre of tennis players who have been affected.
In difficult circumstances, many players have been trying to improvise and get some training in. From playing with a tennis ball against the wall or even against the mattress, one thing I know is that a young me, if I was to do the same, I would get a forehand smash to the face.
When I was a kid, I was told to not jump on the bed, but was never told to not hit a tennis ball against the mattress, I have missed a gem of my childhood, by the looks of it. The players (some of them) have had to deal with rodent infestations, not quite the Jerry out of Tom and Jerry kind.
It’s not been an ideal build up, to this years Australian Open, but this is the world of Covid19, where nothing is normal. First and foremost is the safety of the players, we wish each and every one of them well.
The Bearded Captain 