With Roland Garros currently dominating the headlines, it would be easy to forget that tennis at all levels is taking place, with events on the ITF Seniors calendar in full swing.

Seniors tennis roared back into action at the end of August following the suspension of the calendar due to the Covid-19 pandemic and tournaments have been held, mainly across Europe, since.

France and Germany were the very first nations out of the blocks as they hosted Grade 2 tournaments, while Austria, Romania, Italy, Russia, the Netherlands and Latvia followed suit in the days after. Events in Japan and Brazil have since taken place.

As with most sporting events around the globe, certain protocols are unrecognisable compared to previous years given the need for vital safety procedures to be observed.

That applies across the competition spectrum with the onus on tournament organisers, referees or players to make events as safe as possible. Tom James was the tournament director for the Grade 4 Welsh Open in September, which this year saw a record 107 players from 11 nations enter.

“It is one of the best things I’ve ever been involved with in tennis,” James told itftennis.com. “Delivering an ITF event in very difficult times was very rewarding and everybody seemed to be delighted to be back playing tennis. It was a fun event.

“A dedicated team of volunteers along with the ITF referee and myself ensured that all strict Covid-19 rules and regulations were put in place. This was a lot of work but a great team ensured a safe tournament for all.”

Frits Raijmakers of the Netherlands, meanwhile, who is ranked No.1 in the 65+ men’s singles, competed at the 6th Feld am See in Austria, where he reached the semi-finals in the Men’s 60s event.

“Since the start of the pandemic, I was lucky that I could practice on private courts in my region,” he told itftennis.com. “Only practicing, however, is boring in my opinion so I was glad that I could compete in tournaments.

“I managed to play at least five before the start of the ITF tournaments. Normally I play the Grade A events but I was happy to participate in places where I have never been before like Feld am See in Austria.

“This was a really well organised tournament in a lovely surrounding, run by Helge Albrecht and his team.

“Competing in Seniors tennis is a way of life for me and I really missed my tennis friends from all over the world. Hopefully everyone remains healthy and in good shape so that we can continue playing and then make a new start in 2021.”

France’s Caroline Glaszmann, who is ranked No. 10 in the 65+ women’s singles, is another who has been on the competition trail recently, featuring on the clay courts of Germany at the Grade 3 Leverkusen Senior Open in September. She topped the podium in two events.

“I played at the ITF Seniors tournament in Germany in September because I missed competition after all those months without playing,” Glaszmann told itftennis.com.

“It was not only the competition I missed but also the friendly atmosphere and exchanges you usually find in this type of tournament. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, bravo to the organisers who have the courage to take on complicated organisations.”

The full ITF Seniors calendar can be viewed by clicking here.