Court inaction!

"Sign of the times" says Tony Fowkes who spotted this sad juxtaposition at the public courts in Dynevor Road, Bedford, though we hope the courts will soon fill up again. They are his local place to play, just a 12 minute bike ride from home. "Very good courts and nets and only had to wait once for a few minutes to get on a court.  Very encouraging news from Boris last night." 

"This is a picture of what the Kelvingrove tennis courts in Glasgow look like during the lockdown," says Cedric Chantreau. "No nets, but still an amazing background with the university! Hope you will like it. Unfortunately, I couldn't get closer as the facility is closed. Thanks for organising the league. It is a good opportunity to meet players."

"Courts awaiting players at Dawlish Lawn Tennis Club in Devon!" says Kerry Elver whose husband is head coach here. "Taken Thursday on 7th May (a sunny day), during a security check of the club."

"Fingers crossed the padlocks come off this week for us to get back on court. Can't wait .....:-)," says the Robert and the Rhodes family, from Stoke on Trent!

"I was struck by how empty Victoria Park was as well as the courts," says Vicky Davies (this park usually gets about 9 million visitors a year).  And how distressingly naked the courts look! As Vicky says, "All those lucky players who see courts with nets up!" Funny how seeing the courts minus their key features makes the lack of tennis even worse.
 

"Invicta TC is situated along Victory Path, Chalkwell, a green and leafy track which runs alongside the coastal railway from Southend to Fenchurch Street station in London," says Maddie Maxwell who has been a great contributor to this section. "It’s not easy to find, as some of my past TL opponents will verify(!), as the entrance is through a tiny gate and down a narrow path that sits between two bungalows. The satnav always sends people to the wrong place as the club site is off-road. Invicta celebrated its 70th year last year, and you can see from the photo that the original clubhouse is still standing! The courts were cleaned and cleared of moss in late February, so they’re in pristine condition, ready for the lockdown to end. Let’s hope that it’s soon, and we can all get back to enjoying the Tennis League matches." Hear hear!

These are one of the main public courts in Shrewsbury and are run by the Town Council. Many thanks to John Brownlie for sending the picture (taken before lockdown), and we were delighted to hear he played his first post-lockdown match on Thursday.