Riske excited to feel normal again at UTR Pro Match

Alison Riske is one of four WTA players taking part in the UTR Pro Match Series this weekend. The world No. 19 spoke via Zoom about the safety measures.

"One chair umpire, no linesman...," she told Extra TV. "We’re going to have our own specific balls that we’re able to touch. No handshaking."

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Riske is taking part in the three-day tournament against Amanda Anisimova, Danielle Collins and Ajla Tomjlanovic. The matches (with shortened sets to four) are taking place at a private court in West Palm Beach, Fla. with stringent safety measures in check.

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"I think with the safety precautions that are in place here, it makes us all feel comfortable," Riske said in a press conference. "We know we’re being looked after, being taken care of and just are smart about it. I think it’s really exciting, just to have something that makes us feel normal again."

Riske went 1-1 on Friday in the first day of action, losing to Tomljanovic, 4-3 (4), 4-1 but saving two match points to top Anisimova, 0-4, 4-0, 4-3 (6). Without ball kids, players handled their own towels and water, and had to move their own balls (reminding everyone of their junior-playing days):

So it was far from totally normal, but tennis is back and that's all that truly matters, with UTR ranking points and prize money on the line.

In the first match of of Day 1, Collins beat Anisimova, 4-1, 4-2. Play continues on Saturday with three more round-robin matches, with the final set for Sunday.