Serving up a safety-first approach

With a string of COVID-19 cases among the men's ranks heightening uncertainties over tennis' proposed restart, Chinese tournament organizers are steeling themselves for whatever challenges the sport's planned return may bring.

Positive coronavirus tests for world No 1 Novak Djokovic and three other players, who all participated in an exhibition tour in the Balkans earlier this month, have raised serious concerns for the governing bodies' plan to resume the season in August after a lengthy shutdown due to the pandemic.

While closely monitoring developments overseas, tournament organizers in China say they are prudently pushing ahead with preparations for tennis' delayed Asian Swing this year by drafting operational plans for all possible scenarios, consulting disease control authorities and devising virus-prevention protocols.

"Despite the fluidity regarding the season restart, our preparatory work is underway," the organizing committee of the China Open wrote in an emailed response to China Daily questions on Thursday.

"Our preparation will be facilitated by a variety of precautions targeting different situations subject to change in compliance with government policy. Safety and health will be our top priorities as we proceed with our preparations."

Last week, the men's Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) issued provisional calendars for an August resumption of their respective seasons. US Open organizers have confirmed that the hard-court Grand Slam will be staged at empty arenas during its original Aug 31-Sept 13 window in New York, two weeks before the delayed French Open, which plans to start on Sept 27.

The reshuffling of the calendar essentially inserts a modified European clay-court section in between the North American and Asian swings. That has forced over a dozen of tournaments in China, including Beijing's China Open, the Wuhan Open and the WTA Finals in Shenzhen, to move from their original slots.

The recent coronavirus diagnoses for Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki have further clouded matters.

Whether any foreign players will be allowed entry to China by fall time remains uncertain, given the country's temporary entry ban on foreign nationals remains in force.

After the recent resurgence of domestic infections across several districts in Beijing, the municipal government has again tightened restrictions on staging mass sports events, raising further questions over the feasibility of the China Open, which has been rescheduled for Oct 12-18, two weeks later than its usual slot.

The tournament, Asia's biggest men's and women's combined event, says they are developing three different operational protocols: Staging the event at full spectator capacity, limiting the number of spectators and playing matches without any fans in the stands at all.

Organizers expect the final scenario would mean this year's edition operates at a loss, given the absence of revenue from ticket sales and on-site consumption.

"We still hope to be able to host our fans, who've proved to be a critical part of the success of our live event," said the China Open in its emailed response.

"If fans are not allowed to attend, then operating the event on time and safely for all the players and staff will still be a success, even if we bear some financial pressures. Ensuring we get back in business safe and sound is more important."

The WTA, which has nine tour-level events on the Chinese mainland, told China Daily in an email on Wednesday that it will respect and follow government policies as it handles the tour's resumption in conjunction with local organizers.

"The WTA looks forward to competing across the globe and in Asia Pacific, as we hope to play as much of our remaining season as possible," read the email.

"The return to play on the provisional plan is based on the best intentions to operate if it is safe to do so, guided by the medical experts."

Government approval, the relaxing of travel restrictions and permission from medical experts are three key requirements that need to be met for tournaments in China to go ahead, according to the WTA.

"Having assessed the global outlook for travel in the latter half of the year, working with our medical experts on providing the safest environment possible, and working through the diverse operational challenges for running events safely in the context of COVID-19, the WTA is pleased to release a calendar for the remainder of the 2020 season," WTA chairman and CEO Steve Simon said after issuing the revised calendar last week.

'Hugely symbolic'

Meanwhile, organizers of the women's premier-level Wuhan Open say the return of pro tennis to the Hubei province capital would help revitalize a city hit hard by the pandemic.

"I'm thrilled for all my colleagues and friends in Wuhan, and what this will mean to the city and its people," Wuhan Open co-director Brenda Perry told AFP. "It's hugely symbolic of overcoming a hugely challenging moment."

The annual Wuhan Open, launched in 2014, is now penciled in for Oct 19-25, with total prize money of over $2.82 million up for grabs.

"To come through that and then hold an international professional tennis event would be amazing for morale and show the world the great job they've done on recovery," said Perry, New Zealand's former No 1 women's player.

Having served in the post for over a year since been hired in March 2019, Perry hopes staging the tournament this year can help change any negative perceptions people might have about the city in the wake of the virus outbreak there.

She also stressed that she can understand if players have reservations about signing up for the event, even though Wuhan is now largely back to normal.

"We probably need to educate, to be honest, what is the reality in Wuhan compared to other cities around the world," Perry added.