Virus throws curveball at athletes' habits

PARIS－As the coronavirus brings the international sports calendar to a grinding halt, AFP Sport looks at three long-standing habits that could change forever once competition resumes.

Taking the shine off

It's been a tried and trusted friend to fast bowlers throughout the history of cricket.

But the days of applying saliva to one side of the ball to encourage swing could be over in the aftermath of COVID-19.

"As a bowler I think it would be pretty tough going if we couldn't shine the ball in a Test match," said Australia quick Pat Cummins.

"If it's at that stage and we're that worried about the spread, I'm not sure we'd be playing sport."

Blood, sweat 'n' fears

Tennis players throwing towels, dripping with sweat, and sometimes even blood or tears, at ball boys and girls, has often left fans sympathizing with the youngsters.

Moves by officials to tackle the issue took on greater urgency in March when the coronavirus was taking a global grip.

Behind closed doors in Miki, Japan, ball boys and girls on duty at the Davis Cup tie between the host and Ecuador wore gloves.

Baskets, meanwhile, were made available for players to deposit their towels.

Back in 2018, the ATP introduced towel racks at some events on a trial basis, but not everyone was overjoyed.

"I think having the towel whenever you need it, it's very helpful. It's one thing less that you have to think about," said Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas when he was playing at the NextGen Finals in Milan.

"I think it's the job of the ball kids to provide towels and balls for the players."

All shook up

Pre-match handshakes were abandoned in top soccer leagues just before the sports shutdown.

English Premier League leader Liverpool also banned the use of mascots while Southampton warned against players signing autographs and stopped them posing for selfies.

Away from soccer, the NBA urged players to opt for the fist-bump rather than the long-standing high-five.

"I ain't high-fiving nobody for the rest of my life after this," NBA superstar LeBron James told the "Road Trippin' Podcast".

"No more high-fiving. After this corona****? Wait til you see me and my teammates' handshakes after this ****."

Basketball stars were also told not to take items such as balls or teams shirts to autograph.

US women's soccer star Megan Rapinoe says edicts to ban handshakes or even high-fives may be counter-productive anyway.

"We're going to be sweating all over each other all game, so it sort of defeats the purpose of not doing a handshake," she told the New York Times in March.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE