Starting Tournaments

[Corsair]

Hi all,

I am 13 years old, and would rank my self as a player between 4.5 and 5. I want to start playing tournaments, and im not sure how to get started. Joining the USTA is an option, but I am not sure how good the other kids are. I don't want to humiliate myself against kids who are tennis gods! All answers are appreciated!

Thanks,
-Corsair

[babolatisduhbomb]

https://usta.ebiz.uapps.net/Solutionsite/default.aspx?tabid=63&mbrflow=new is how to join and my first tournament i played bad but i would do a small 1 for your first tourny then go into so big 1s...

[Corsair]

Thanks! I will give it a look!

[Voltron]

^^^

Not sure if you can understand him, so here's a translation : First, join the USTA, then start with small, maybe even non-ranking tournaments to get a feel for the competition, then, when you start winning those consistently or at least going deep/making the finals, start going to bigger tournaments, and so on.

USTA tournament levels are as follows 6 < 5 < 4 < 3 < 2 < 1 So essentially, a level one is the largest and greatest point giving tourment, and a level 6 is the smallest. (7 and 8 are non-ranking)

[Corsair]

Does joining the USTA cost money? I am pretty sure it does, but I want clarification on that. If so, how much? My mother is not too keen on me joining as she thinks I am not good enough, but I want to start before I get too old.

[Voltron]

Yes it does, although occasionally they have promotional discounts, usually something around the US Open. Also, it does cost money to play tournaments. (but you probably already knew that)

[Corsair]

Yes I did know it cost money to play tournaments. What level would you need to be at to register? For example I am between 4.5 and 5. Where would this put me compared to other juniors?

[Corsair]

Sorry about the double post, what is a good level to register with USTA?

[Voltron]

Ummm, well, I'm not sure I believe your self-rating without a video. But if you were really a 5.0, you'd do fine. But yeah, you're probably a 3.5 or so (using the "TW ratings system"), no offense intended, but almost no one can accurately rate themselves, you need to play computer rated players at those levels, or be rated by a coach / USTA official. But you would probably do OK at 14s.

[Corsair]

No offense taken! Do you have a rough estimate as to how much it would cost to join?

[Voltron]

Hmm, I'm not sure, I got mine paid for as a tournament prize, but I think it's something like $60 for 2-3 years, although it may have gone up since then.

[Corsair]

Thanks! Your help is greatly appreciated!

[tennis24fun]

Corsair,

USTA junior membership costs about $18/year. They have a 20% discount if you join for a 5 year period, i.e. $72 for 5 years.
USTA tournaments usually cost between $48 to $55 as entry fee (in my area).
The best way to figure out where you stand vis.a.vis the competition in your area is to check if you have any Rookie (USPTA circuit) tournaments going on in your area. If you do well in them you can go with some confidence to the USTA level. The rookie tourneys cost about $20 and the top-20 players from the district may not participate in them.

Anyway, if you are at 4.5 to 5.0 level, you should not have any problems playing the district level (6) USTA tourneys.

Good luck and stay confident.

[Corsair]

Thanks Tennis24fun, your advice helps! Thanks everyone again for all the help!

[Corsair]

Also, would I have to become a member of USPTA to take part in tournaments?

[tennis24fun]

you're welcome.

Now that we are on this topic of USTA tournaments, let me warn you about the atmosphere there. You might come across some of meanest people you have come across in life at these tournaments. Those are mainly the overzealous parents and coaches. Usually... higher ranked the player is, higher will be the level of gamesmanship involved. The players are well coached in the tactics of gamesmanship and hooking up points from you. The better (and unknown) you are, the higher will be the level. Since you are 14 already, you should be able to stay strong against the bullying and the mental games that the opponents try to play.

Sometimes it doesn't feel like fun having to go through all that cr*p and the US tennis might be losing some deserving players to this atmosphere. But if you can stay strong and cool in such situations without letting it affect your game and playing level and dish it back to them (without resorting to stooping low to their level), it would help you to develop these qualities in your personality that you would not otherwise get an opportunity to work on.

Other than that, just enjoy your game. You can tell that I was venting... but it was true experience.

[Noaler]

Lol, the stupid parents made their son quit against my match cause they thought I cheated and called a ball in when I thought it was out.

But you can't be to passive otherwise your screwed sometimes. One player cheated by calling a ball in the green about 10 times. I let them all slide since I beat him so easily.

[Corsair]

Thanks for the advice, but my question hasnt been answered. Do I need to be a member to take part in USPTA tournaments?

[MomentumGT]

Thanks for the advice, but my question hasnt been answered. Do I need to be a member to take part in USPTA tournaments?

No. I joined the usta and have been playing league matches and individual tournaments without the USPTA. If you are as good as you rated yourself go ahead and jump into the Jr. Open events and pass on the Jr. Satellites as thats usually used to get the beginner's feet wet in competition.

-Jon

[deddied]

you would want to start off in the $35-$40 dollar tournaments then work your way up. The USPTA is coaches who went through a test to join the organization.

[ClarkC]

you're welcome.

Now that we are on this topic of USTA tournaments, let me warn you about the atmosphere there. You might come across some of meanest people you have come across in life at these tournaments. Those are mainly the overzealous parents and coaches. Usually... higher ranked the player is, higher will be the level of gamesmanship involved. The players are well coached in the tactics of gamesmanship and hooking up points from you. The better (and unknown) you are, the higher will be the level. Since you are 14 already, you should be able to stay strong against the bullying and the mental games that the opponents try to play.

Sometimes it doesn't feel like fun having to go through all that cr*p and the US tennis might be losing some deserving players to this atmosphere. But if you can stay strong and cool in such situations without letting it affect your game and playing level and dish it back to them (without resorting to stooping low to their level), it would help you to develop these qualities in your personality that you would not otherwise get an opportunity to work on.

Other than that, just enjoy your game. You can tell that I was venting... but it was true experience.

What are examples of "gamesmanship" that you encounter? I have not really seen it with my son at tournaments.

[MomentumGT]

What are examples of "gamesmanship" that you encounter? I have not really seen it with my son at tournaments.

Some of these Juniors blatantly cheat and hook line calls if they are close. It gets obvious when the big points are played. For the most part the kids are honest but there are a few where winning is everything, for the child, but more importantly for the parents. Just my experience tho'.

-Jon

[deddied]

Wow, you must live in a nice section. In florida you see it everywhere. From the small rookies to the big tourneys (espicially at those)

[MomentumGT]

Wow, you must live in a nice section. In florida you see it everywhere. From the small rookies to the big tourneys (espicially at those)

SoCal section. Before I played Jr. tennis years ago I came from a gang banging lifestyle and didn't shake the look till college. Some of my matches had the opponents parents nervous when their kid played me. I've had some juniors reverse calls after I stared them down. LOL. Not too much hooking went on when I played and I didn't stand for it when it happened, use your imagination :oops:. I would agree it happens quite a bit especially when you see those wannabe "I'm playing for Stanford/UCLA" kids.

-Jon

[nCode747]

No offense taken! Do you have a rough estimate as to how much it would cost to join?

not much like $38 a year. some months you can get a deal as low as $18 a year