Advantage, Coronavirus Second Serve

Advantage, Coronavirus – Second Serve is the sequel episode to Advantage, Coronavirus in my short online sports docu-series. This episode dives deeper into how the coronavirus pandemic affected the world of tennis and how the tours adapted, learned valuable lessons, and implemented changes during and after the global shutdowns.

The docu-episode highlights the experiences and perspectives of key figures in the sport, including Craig O'Shannessy, former strategist coach for Novak Djokovic and founder of Brain Game Tennis, who faced communication barriers with his pro players due to COVID restrictions. Tennis commentator Nick Lester shares how the suspension of tournaments left him unable to work or earn a living. Former WTA Olympic coach and chairman of the Elena Baltacha Foundation, Nino Severino, reveals how the pandemic forced him to halt his business and foundation events.

Advantage, Coronavirus – Second Serve is split into several sections that explore key stages of how COVID-19 impacted tennis:

Surviving Lockdown – An exploration of the initial impact of the pandemic on the sport.
Back on Tour – A look into how the tennis world returned to a new normal.
Trials & Tribulations – Insights into the challenges faced as tours resumed and dealt with COVID-19.
The Australian Open – An examination of how tennis prepared for the first Grand Slam of 2022.

One of the pivotal moments during my interview with Nick Lester occurred when news broke that Novak Djokovic, then-World No.1, had received a controversial medical exemption to enter Melbourne—one of the world’s most locked-down cities—to compete in the Australian Open. Djokovic, one of the most high-profile anti-vaccine figures globally, sparked intense reactions. Both Lester and Craig O'Shannessy shared their raw emotional responses, as did Nino Severino, whose business was directly affected by the pandemic.

For more on their immediate, unfiltered views on one of the most controversial headlines in modern tennis, be sure to watch the final instalment of the trilogy: Advantage, Coronavirus – Breaking Point.