Palermo: Tour spot tennis resumed after a five-month forced break on Monday, and players at the Palermo Ladies Open had to take care of their own towels and not shake hands with their opponents.
Strict regulations due to coronavirus came with on-site showers, autographs or images with fans. The main single players come from 16 European countries and Argentina.
A limited number of enthusiasts were allowed to enter the 1500-seat stadium court and had to take social estrangement measures.
They saw sixth seed Donna Vekic beat Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands 6-1, 6-2 with wind in the first official attack, male or female, since early March.
“I’m actually pleased not to know how to play tennis, how to play matches, how to win,” Vekic said in a video conference. ‘It’s a big relief, so I’m really satisfied now.
‘‘It was definitely a bit strange. I was really nervous yesterday, even more today, but after the first few games I just kind of relaxed and I was focused.’’
Vekic sealed a round point on his attack-by-ball, breaking for the sixth time in the attack when Rus hit with a wide forehand.
Vekic will face Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who beat Slovenia’s Polona Hercog 7-6 (1), 6-3 in their first player win in the top 50.
But beyond this week, Vekic doesn’t know if his plans can be replaced as the pandemic continues around the world.
Vekic hopes to compete at the U.S. Open, where he reached the quarter-finals last year, and at the French Open as in Rome.
“Things are replaced every week, so I think we have to take it week after week and review to adapt as productively as possible, and we hope to play as much as we can,” Vekic said. Uncertainty gives everyone a lot of anxiety. ”
The U.S. Open is scheduled to begin on August 31 and the French Open on September 27.
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