The territory’s tennis players are going to vie in a week-long tournament beginning Monday to determine the 2020 Yukon Champions.

Tennis Yukon was one of the first sports organizations to resume play, albeit under strict restrictions, during the COVID-19 pandemic – they began play in mid-May.

Although the courts have been open for members to use, Stacy Lewis, a Tennis Yukon representative, said the community is happy that they are able to go ahead with something.

“It’s a time when people find out who else plays,” said Lewis. “Usually you play with the same people, but a tournament is a good way to bring people together.”

Tennis Yukon already had one of their more popular tournaments, the Capital Cup which pits Whitehorse against Juneau, cancelled because of the pandemic.

“We wouldn’t have run it anyway,” said Lewis, “but with the border closed it wasn’t really our decision.”

The tournament has 23 people registered, including juniors, Lewis said Tennis Yukon is taking appropriate action to ensure player health and safety.

“People can stick around and watch if they want but they will have to do so through the fence,” said Lewis. “We will be providing the tournament balls. For singles, they will receive one can and just hand sanitize after every play.”

Tennis Yukon has allowed doubles play since Phase 2 was introduced on July 1. Players competing in doubles have to meet the territory’s guidelines, like no Outside travel.

The doubles teams, Lewis said, will each receive a can of balls to use.

The numbers of tennis members have been up this year, said Lewis, and there will be plenty of new faces at the Yukon Championships.

“Season pass numbers have been up, including a lot of new names,” said Lewis, who attributed the rise in membership partly to travel restrictions Outside.

Games will be held throughout the week in the evening. The championship games will be held on Friday. The junior victor will be decided by round-robin wins.

Tennis Yukon will remain busy after the tournament ends. At the end of August, in partnership with the Parks and Rec department in Dawson City, a coach will travel there to run programs for young, and middle aged kids and adults.

“It is always really good to be able to send a coach out to the communities,” said Lewis.