Tennis community welcomes AMP courts reopening

A signage on safety guidelines is posted in one of the four tennis courts at the American Memorial Park, which reopened the facility last Saturday. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Players are back to training and holding scrimmages as the American Memorial Park tennis courts reopened last Saturday.

“Thanks to the National Park Service for getting this important venue open again,” Northern Mariana Islands Tennis Association president and many-time national team coach Jeff Race said, as he announced the good news to the tennis community last weekend.

The tennis facility was closed in April due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving players, both competitive and recreational, without a public court for their games and practice sessions. Some tried to get slots on various courts in hotels, but they are limited, so the reopening of the four courts at the AMP is a big relief to both players and coaches.

“There’s a lot of excitement in the tennis community. I think there’s a pent-up demand among both kids and adults to get back out on the court. Tennis is rated at the top of sports both for fitness and safety during these times,” Race said.

CNMI Junior National player Jimin Woo is among the young players, who for months had been waiting for the reopening of the facility.

Players hold scrimmages at the American Memorial Park tennis courts yesterday.

“It’s a good thing that the AMP court have reopened to the public. Finding courts to hit on was nearly impossible since COVID-19 came, but now that the AMP courts are open, it would be easy to just go to there and practice,” said Woo, who was scheduled to train in Fiji during the school break, but had to stay put and continue playing here due to the pandemic.

Bobby Cruz, another player utilizing the public courts at the AMP before they were temporarily closed, has called on his fellow players and others using the facility to continue observing safety precautions during and after playing.

“Coach Jeff Race has already sent out guidance to the tennis community regarding the safe practices while playing tennis. The tennis community is very responsible. It’s important that we continue to practice appropriate social distancing, have sanitizers that we use often during changeover, avoid physical contact, and make sure that we adhere to safety protocols,” Cruz said.

“I’m extremely happy that the American Memorial Park tennis courts are open. I know that many members of the tennis community feel the same way too. The physical wellness and mental health of many individuals who play tennis is going to improve because of the reopening of the courts,” he added.

Besides the safety guidelines that Race and the NMITA sent out to players and coaches, signages are also posted on the entrance of each court, including the U.S. Tennis Association’s “Playing Tennis Safely” tips and recommendations.