Jan-Lennard Struff: 'It was pretty weird' to resume training thanks to special permit

Jan-Lennard Struff has recently received a special permit to resume training. The World No. is based in Germany, where the measures against the coronavirus pandemic have been slightly bent to allow him to keep working while waiting for the suspension of the professional Tour to expire.

However, certain conditions apply. 

"We are allowed to train only if there are two of us,” Struff told the German media, according to We Love Tennis FR. “it is either with my trainer or with my training partner. The disinfection devices are there, we strictly keep the necessary distance. The training is currently taking place so that we can play a little, find our bearings ”

Being allowed to bypass the rules, even if in a very strict and controlled way, is not well seen, but the German explained his necessity.

“[Playing two or three times] is enough,” Struff told Süddeutsche Zeitung, according to T365. “It’s the small steps that feel right in these times. I can understand that such exemptions for athletes are viewed critically by the rest of the population in the current situation, but it’s also my job, and we have strict requirements.”

While it is still uncertain whether the tennis season will indeed resume in July, Struff is glad he has the opportunity to train again: "It was one of the longest periods I experienced without holding a racket and it was also strange to be able to stay in shape without hitting balls. When I played again for the first time, it was frankly pretty weird and I didn't feel good. And then very quickly you pick up the rhythm again.”

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3ajsUDk