The New Normal: How to play tennis

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(SOUNDBITE) (English) BAR MANAGER, CAMBER LAWN TENNIS CLUB, JOHN STEVENS, SAYING:

"We don't use the same balls. We hit people's balls back to them by kicking them or taking them up with our racket."

Tennis is slowly making a comeback. But it's not quite the same.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) LADIES CAPTAIN, CAMBER LAWN TENNIS CLUB, REBECCA SMITH, SAYING:

“I really love tennis. It's so great to be back.”

Tennis clubs are opening up to members again, but with a few extra rules and precautions.

No socializing. Don’t hang out. Arrive and leave on time.

Courtside spectators are not encouraged

(SOUNDBITE) (English) BAR MANAGER, CAMBER LAWN TENNIS CLUB, JOHN STEVENS, SAYING:

“Unless we are a family group of four, we can only play singles and we can play with one other person who is not a member of the family. We've got all the LTA rules so we have to make sure that we socially distance all the time. We have to use hand sanitizer. If we change ends, we have to change either side of the net so that we don't pass each other."

Recreation only.

There are no tournaments or league matches.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) LADIES CAPTAIN, CAMBER LAWN TENNIS CLUB, REBECCA SMITH, SAYING:

“For me, it's my main sport that I do. And yeah, it's also really good for my mental health, it helps me forget about the rest of the things in my life.”

New balls, please.

Mark up your own set of balls.

Carefully return your opponent’s.

Sweeping the surface or winding the net are out.

And don’t share rackets or kit.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) BAR MANAGER, CAMBER LAWN TENNIS CLUB, JOHN STEVENS, SAYING:

“I think that for a lot of people it's been quite euphoric coming back after a few weeks to play, but I think it’s gradually dawning on people that it's not quite the same club as it was. And it's going to be like that for some time.”