Tennis Lockdown – Part 2 - The Art of Tennis

So during Tennis Lockdown – Part 1, I discussed the surprise and frustration of having our tennis facility shut down and also when the sport of tennis was deemed unsafe due the Covid-19 virus.

During this time, I went through a lot of emotions but I guess there was some comfort in the fact that this was happening across the board. Friends, family and the public at large were facing massive changes. Those who work in public health were faced with something they had never dealt with before and, in what would be described as in lockstep, society stayed glued to Scott Morrison’s next announcement.

I was following my 3 point plan and learning more about Jobkeeper and tax exemptions. Finding ways to cut costs and staying in communication with my team. Social media wise it was actually fun coming up with creative ways to engage those stuck at home or on their ‘daily’ exercise.

We did the WORKOUT.

and even THE TRICKS.

But then we got THE UPDATE

Another ScoMo live update saw the rules opened up and turned from playing tennis with someone from your household is ok to playing tennis with someone from a different household is also ok. So this means that private lessons could open up.

But where? The last update from local government was the facility will remain closed until further notice. The facility shutdown was not linked to the tennis rules but a sporting facilities closure. Tennis just happened to be one of a few sports that you can play one on one from between 5 to 25 metres away from each other.

So while I wasn’t ‘back in business’, I at least had a glimmer of hope. My mind starting thinking, a little entrepreneurial spark to keep the cogs turning. Sadly most public courts had their nets down and courts locked. Most clubs were closed and those that were open were only restricted to their club coach and private lesson members which is fair enough. My mind went to hotels, private clubs and private residences. The one I could see the most potential in was private residences. My mind had fun creating a business model based on 2 hour private home sessions.

I did a great morning of one on one coaching at the Perth Arena court which was bookable online and I invited 4 of my best and most passionate juniors for a morning’s lessons. This was a great experience, especially after they (and I) hadn’t been on the court for a good while. But then I heard back from Hotel Rendezvous who were happy for private lessons to be conducted adhering to all rules and procedures and signing everybody in. Given the hotel is 1 km from our normal base means this was a lifeline and gave us at least some momentum. The guidelines put out by Tennis Australia/Tennis West over this time were very helpful showing how tennis as a sport can be safely conducted.

So I coached each morning and my main coach, Madalina, coached each afternoon at the hotel. It was great to get back into the rhythm and the gratitude shown from our players and players families was inspiring.

And then rumours started to come through…..talk of more clubs reopening…..

Then there was confirmation! We could re-open the tennis club for one on one lessons and one on one member play.

The entrepreneural spark just got lit!