Being a tennis junior in the pandemic has been hard. During the first National Lockdown in March 2020, I never imagined how the Coronavirus would affect the sport that plays such a big role in my life. Suddenly, clubs were forced to close and, like all other tennis players in the UK, I was unable to carry on practicing and competing. Tennis coming to a sudden grinding halt was difficult and another sad reminder of the severity of the virus and how much it has impacted everyone.

Now in our third lockdown, playing on a court seems like a distant memory. The courts, once filled with players working hard to fulfill their potential, now sit vacant, lonely and abandoned. Looking out at the courts where I trained every day reminds me of pre-pandemic times when people could play freely and enjoy the results of hard work, doing what you love most.  I await those times again eagerly, hoping they will return soon.

I’m sure junior tennis players are doing all they can to continue developing their game and ensure they remain in good physical and mental shape to be prepared for when tennis returns. Lockdown has forced us to appreciate the spaces we have to use and enjoy. HIIT indoor workouts, game strategy zoom sessions and YouTube aerobics have become particularly popular for athletes during the pandemic.

Although playing hasn’t been possible, the lockdown has given me the time to hone an even sharper focus on my fitness and strategic play. Regardless of what sport you do, adapting to and making the most of the resources we still have has been key to training in lockdown. Our imaginations have been vital to using our limited spaces creatively.

Furthermore, the pandemic has made me appreciate and value the time I have on the court even more. With a positive mind-set, we will defeat the Coronavirus and move forward. The work does not stop and the journey continues.