Tennis stars will be allowed to visit shops, restaurants and even the hairdressers at some ATP Tour events from this month as Covid-19 bubble rules are relaxed... but they will still be stuck in their hotels at Wimbledon despite the UK opening up again

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Relief may be at hand for bubble-weary tennis stars, who are set to enjoy a major relaxation in restrictions at some tour events, starting this month.

A briefing note sent this week to competitors and their representatives, seen by Sportsmail, sets out a new Covid testing regime which will allow them to move more freely while at tournaments, including visits to shops and restaurants.

The move will also increase accommodation options, although the new freedoms are still expected to grind to a halt when they reach the shores of the UK for the grass court season.

Players competing at Wimbledon this year are likely to face Covid-19 restrictions despite the rules being relaxed at other events

Players will be confined to designated hotels at SW19 even as the UK enjoys restored freedom

The measures are set to come in the week starting May 17, at the ATP Tour events in Lyon and Geneva. While there is no reason to suggest it is anything more than a coincidence, the latter is where Roger Federer will be making his latest comeback.

Some players have been going from bubble to bubble for months on end. The likes of Cam Norrie have opted against returning home to London due to complications, while Jo Konta admitted last week that she has cut her tournament schedule to avoid the stress of living under constant restrictions.

The ATP Tour is changing the protocol so that players will now be given Antigen tests (rapid result) every two days instead of a PCR test every four. 

According to the document: 'As a consequence of the increased frequency in testing, many of the current restrictions may be removed, and all credentialed attendees will be able take part in the following activities with great caution.'

Roger Federer is set to make his latest comeback at the ATP event in Geneva this month - one of the tournaments where players will be granted a little more freedom

Johanna Konta has cut short her touring schedule because of the constant bubble restrictions

There is then a list of new privileges opening up, including outside dining at restaurants, picking up takeaway food, shopping, going to the hairdresser and staying in alternative hotels.

However, visiting bars, concerts or large public gatherings will still be prohibited.

It is also reiterated that those who are fully vaccinated can go onto a testing exemption list for six months as moves continue to encourage the uptake of jabs.

Players are currently living under severe limitations at events. At this week's tournament in Madrid security guards with batons are stationed outside the official hotel, although at next week's Italian Open in Rome participants are due to be allowed an hour per day to roam around outside as they please.

The ongoing Madrid Open has been played behind closed doors amid tight bio-security

There is also the warning that the new directive will be superseded by any government regulations in place at whatever locality they find themselves in.

This means that the severe restrictions for players and support personnel when they arrive in the UK from early next month may well still apply.

Wimbledon has told competitors they will have to adhere to a strict 'Minimised Risk Environment', forcing even those who are London-based to be locked down in a designated hotel.

The All England Club has been at pains to emphasise that it is following government guidance. 

Wimbledon is hoping to welcome crowds up to 25 per cent capacity for this summer's Slam

According to senior insiders at the ATP there has, nonetheless, been some surprise at just how enthusiastically Wimbledon has acted to embrace every last instruction from the uber-cautious UK government.

With the country due to open up far more on June 21, ahead of the fortnight's start, the sight of ordinary citizens enjoying widespread freedoms while players remain locked away may not be a recipe for harmony among the cohort.