Tennis is back in SF, status of pickleball still unclear

After months of quiet, the thwop of racquet strings smacking furry balls will again be heard on San Francisco tennis courts.

San Francisco has been in no hurry to reopen its public courts even though studies have indicated that outdoor transmission of the coronavirus is relatively rare. But starting Saturday, June 6, tennis enthusiasts will again be able to play.

It won’t be like it was before the pandemic, however. There are new rules.

First, players will need a reservation, good for 90 minutes of play, from the Recreation and Parks Department. Reservations are free, with a maximum of one per day up to three times a week. If no one shows up after 15 minutes, the reservation is canceled, and walk-up players can take the court.

Play is limited to singles, with the exception of members of the same household, who are allowed to play doubles.

Players must mark their balls clearly and uniquely, and touch only their own. For singles play, two cans of three balls each are required.

No one is allowed on the court except players. Those waiting outside the court to play must wear masks and maintain social distancing. For more information, see the regulation.

Pickleball players may be wondering, what about our sport? In many areas of the country, pickleball has become more popular than tennis.

Rec and Parks' website was not clear on how pickleball will be affected. It states, “No other sports allowed including pickleball,” but that appears only to refer to pickleball on tennis courts. Pickleball is often played on tennis courts with the use of a portable net and masking tape to mark new lines.

The only reference to dedicated pickleball courts occurs in a passage under Terms and Conditions on the reservation page:

“Reservation is for the exact times listed and is intended for tennis except for pickleball at Presidio Wall Playground and Upper Noe Rec.”

So apparently pickleball players can reserve at those two sites, but no mention is made of the six courts at Louis Sutter Playground, the largest pickleball facility in San Francisco.

We reached out to Recreation and Parks for clarification, but a phone call was not returned by publication time.

Other cities, such as Redwood City and Foster City, have reopened pickleball courts for singles play via a reservation system.

Contra-Contra Costa and Napa counties have the most lenient pickleball requirements. They both allow doubles play if players wear masks or if they’re from the same household or living quarters.

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Mike Moffitt is an SFGATE Digital Reporter. Email: moffitt@sfgate.com. Twitter: @Mike_at_SFGate