Tennis players are happy to be back at Marks Park

Tennis players are happy to be playing again at the Patrick Wysoczarski Tennis Academy.

The academy is based at Marks Park Tennis Club and is run in association with Rudman’s Tennis Academy. It opened when the regulations for lockdown Level 3 were relaxed and coach Patrick Wysoczarski received his Covid-19 compliance licence.

Now the courts are abuzz, with young and old enjoying the outdoors and exercising safely.”I am every excited to be playing again, I did not have many things to do at home. It is nice to return to what I do best,” smiled Christiaan van Rooyen (13). Zaid Laher of the the same age, said he had not been very active during the lockdown and so getting outdoors felt very good.

His younger brother, Nabil (9) said, “I am happy to be back because I can become better at tennis and run around and hit the ball.” Tennis appears to run in the family, because their father Zaheer joined the pair during their lesson with Wysoczarski and even played a few games with them. “Patrick has followed Tennis South Africa’s necessary precautions so I feel it is safe to come play and bring my sons,” Zaheer Laher said.

“This is a non-contact sport so as long as we take all the precautions we will be safe. It is nice to allow the children to be active and get some sun.” Between giving instructions to his players, Wysoczarski explained that the guidelines were printed out on posters and stuck on the windows of the clubhouse, for all to see. There is also registering, temperature checks, sanitising and social distancing enforced at the venue. Furthermore, when not playing tennis all people must wear face masks.

“We can only have a maximum of four players per court excluding coaches,” Wysoczarski added. “Coaches have a curfew that lasts until 6pm, and no squad lessons are allowed.” He also said 15 minutes are provided for between lessons to fill out a register and do screening.

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