Last week, while other sports were deliberating over the possibility of delaying their games, establishing a different set of rules for separate leagues, stalling between elite and grass roots suspensions of activity, tennis acted as a whole, with the sport suspended in its entirety for six weeks at a minimum.

As of today, that projection looks optimistic. Indeed, such is the potential for a longer enforced sabbatical from the sport we all love – indeed, all sports – that such a period is seen as a dream for many, a solution to coronavirus currently not looking imminent. In such moments, hope is a fleeting thing, but tennis players are often those to whom aspiration is not just a way of life, but a mantra that keeps them returning to the court and those white lines which can dictate happiness, monetary reward and spiritual achievement.

How did tennis react to the news that we would not see any action on court for a month and a half? The official announcement on Twitter must have been a difficult moment for all of the ATP Tour, but it came and it was reacted to as you might expect:

The ATP has announced a six-week suspension of the men’s professional tennis tour due to public health & safety concerns over COVID-19.