Copper Bowl....

[SoCal10s]

I'm at the Copper Bowl in Tucson,AZ. and looking around and seeing the different quality of players,I would say it's a bit discouraging.. comparing the Copper Bowl to Winter Nat's is like a big 2-4 level lower...and the Winter Nat's weren't all that impressive either compare to Kalamazoo...why is there such a big decline in the 2 places? I would think that the people who went to Winter Nat's would just stay a bit longer and sort of kill 2 birds with 1 stone throw,especially those who travel so far from the east coast ... but looking at the draws,they're not here... and all the better players are playing up in the age events... the tournament seems to try hard to put on a good outing but it's lacking a kicker as you might say...too bad because the weather is a lot better this week than lat week at the Winter Nat's....

[10isDad]

Lots of places have school starting Monday. Generally, people who go out early in the Winter Nats withdraw from the Copper Bowl (if they entered) because it means hanging around for nearly a full week.

It ends up being good because it has a big draw, therefore people who otherwise might not make it into a national level tourney get the opportunity to play in one. Even with a less deep draw, it's valuable experience for those players.

I noticed in the 16s, there's nobody ranked in the top 100 (USTA) in the draw. Kinda sad...

[SoCal10s]

Lots of places have school starting Monday. Generally, people who go out early in the Winter Nats withdraw from the Copper Bowl (if they entered) because it means hanging around for nearly a full week.

It ends up being good because it has a big draw, therefore people who otherwise might not make it into a national level tourney get the opportunity to play in one. Even with a less deep draw, it's valuable experience for those players.

I noticed in the 16s, there's nobody ranked in the top 100 (USTA) in the draw. Kinda sad...

yeah the B16s is super weak but as you say a bunch of kids come here to get a look at a National tournament,and hopefully will take some good memories back with them.. a know a player here who's dad is really into tennis and was a good player himself,but the player didn't advance as well as they wished ,so they're here enjoying a Nat's ,that's pretty cool ...

[baseline08thrasher]

Who cares about all of the rankings?
i know its good.
But maybe the tennis will actually be better, because the kids wont have too much pressure of all of those top seeds.

This will give the underdogs a better chance to shine possibly.

Don't burn me on this one, but it might be beneficial.

[10isDad]

Who cares about all of the rankings?
i know its good.
But maybe the tennis will actually be better, because the kids wont have too much pressure of all of those top seeds.

This will give the underdogs a better chance to shine possibly.

Don't burn me on this one, but it might be beneficial.

Well stated.

[SoCal10s]

[QUOTE=baseline08thrasher;2967479]Who cares about all of the rankings?
i know its good.
But maybe the tennis will actually be better, because the kids wont have too much pressure of all of those top seeds.
This will give the underdogs a better chance to shine possibly.
Don't burn me on this one, but it might be beneficial.[/QUOTE

for me,I'm looking forward to it because my 16 year old really suck when he plays in his own age division.. when he plays up(at times),he plays so fearlessly and that,for me, is worth seeing... it's like seeing his full tennis without being handcuffed by the preesure of not winning.. so we'll see tomorrow starting first round,which player comes out.. this whole year has been like that,when he is expected to win,he sh!ts in his pants and when he is not expected to win,he takes it home....

[baseline08thrasher]

Yeah, sometimes the expectations of winning really add an amount of pressure that the player cannot handle.

There's so many factors involved, and one tiny factor can change the way you think out on the tennis court completely.
That's why you just have to focus through it no matter what.
That's why the top players are tough.

You see that players have so much talent and can hit the ball just like the no.1 in the national ranking, but just can't get it together mentally.

So this should help the players gain more confidence, and start off 2009 with a good run.
This might make it tougher for the better players the next tournament they play.
Because these underdogs will have gained confidence during this tournament, resulting in them playing better against the top players with their new found confidence.

[baseline08thrasher]

So those players better watch out, if they think they can just skip the copper bowl.

Even though that's not the case, it's still a bomber that they aren't all there.

[10isDad]

SoCal10s - you don't work w/ Elortegui, do you? Hope not... His behaviour during his match with Berman was entirely inexcusable. He cursed, mocked, verbally threatened and accused his opponent of cheating (which I dare say he wasn't).

[MIGHTY MANFRED THE WONDER]

I also saw same... And he wiped his nose on his sleeve while sticking flyers on cars in the parking lot.

[10isRocs]

SoCal10s - you don't work w/ Elortegui, do you? Hope not... His behaviour during his match with Berman was entirely inexcusable. He cursed, mocked, verbally threatened and accused his opponent of cheating (which I dare say he wasn't).

....his typical behavior:shock:

[mrmo1115]

Yep, school is a major factor in why players don't stick around for both the Winter Nationals and the Copper Bowl. Most of the good players who last long in the Winter Nationals just don't want or feel like sticking around. However, the good players that do play the Copper Bowl usually play the age group up, so they can get a foundation for their national ranking.

[tennismom42]

Yep, school is a major factor in why players don't stick around for both the Winter Nationals and the Copper Bowl. Most of the good players who last long in the Winter Nationals just don't want or feel like sticking around. However, the good players that do play the Copper Bowl usually play the age group up, so they can get a foundation for their national ranking.
parents have to work too, so we can pay for tennis. Some of us don't get paid to take two weeks off work.

[tennismom42]

SoCal10s - you don't work w/ Elortegui, do you? Hope not... His behaviour during his match with Berman was entirely inexcusable. He cursed, mocked, verbally threatened and accused his opponent of cheating (which I dare say he wasn't).
I've seen Elortequi abusive with his racquet several times over the years. I keep hoping he grows out of that. I can't understand how he keeps getting sponsored when he's so abusive to the racquets and unsportsmanlike.

Sean Berman is small, but a really consistent, powerful, smart player. I watched him at Clays. There's no shame in losing to him.

[tennismom42]

I also saw same... And he wiped his nose on his sleeve while sticking flyers on cars in the parking lot.
what flyers?

[scraps234]

since there are camras on every court can you buy matches at any time from every court? also were can u get your tennisrecruiting pic taking and what does it cost....????

[mrmo1115]

since there are camras on every court can you buy matches at any time from every court? also were can u get your tennisrecruiting pic taking and what does it cost....????

If your lucky, the Tennis recruiting photographers will stop by your match take your shot, and by the end of the month, your profile should be updated w/ their pics.. Just stay in the tournament as long as you can , and you'll probably get your pic snapped by them. :)

I am not sure about arrangements though, but I think its possible, but I know no info on that.

[SoCal10s]

SoCal10s - you don't work w/ Elortegui, do you? Hope not... His behaviour during his match with Berman was entirely inexcusable. He cursed, mocked, verbally threatened and accused his opponent of cheating (which I dare say he wasn't).

no I don't work with him ,a lot of kids says he a OK kid but he has a bipolar disorder,I can't say for sure... I watched him last year against Dennis Novikov and all I can say is that those 2 deserve each other... they should get married and happily live in the here-after... DN cheated so much and ME kept going crazy(but he doesn't cheat)and when all was done ME walk out from the court spitting on DN's rackets and water and stuff and they were double's partners... lovely yes?
we call him phycho Michael because his last name is a bit hard to say.. and there're so many Michaels around...
I have a nice juicey story about him when the first time we met,but if I told it people will know my ID so I'll save it...
where did ME beat Sean Berman? I didn't see that ....

[10isDad]

no I don't work with him ,a lot of kids says he a OK kid but he has a bipolar disorder,I can't say for sure... I watched him last year against Dennis Novikov and all I can say is that those 2 deserve each other... they should get married and happily live in the here-after... DN cheated so much and ME kept going crazy(but he doesn't cheat)and when all was done ME walk out from the court spitting on DN's rackets and water and stuff and they were double's partners... lovely yes?
we call him phycho Michael because his last name is a bit hard to say.. and there're so many Michaels around...
I have a nice juicey story about him when the first time we met,but if I told it people will know my ID so I'll save it...
where did ME beat Sean Berman? I didn't see that ....

It was Kyle Berman at the Winter Nats.

[mrmo1115]

It was Kyle Berman at the Winter Nats.

I actually saw him hit at this tournament location when he wasn't even playing in the tournament. It was the weirdest thing, he just came in had an 1 1/2 hour court time and he doesn't even live close to the tournament site. And this was from like 8-9 30 in the morning. :confused: By the way, this was this past week

[10isDad]

I actually saw him hit at this tournament location when he wasn't even playing in the tournament. It was the weirdest thing, he just came in had an 1 1/2 hour court time and he doesn't even live close to the tournament site. And this was from like 8-9 30 in the morning. :confused: By the way, this was this past week

What the heck are you talking about? The past week he was playing Winter Nationals until Saturday. Do you mean this current week? What tournament site?

[SoCal10s]

I actually saw him hit at this tournament location when he wasn't even playing in the tournament. It was the weirdest thing, he just came in had an 1 1/2 hour court time and he doesn't even live close to the tournament site. And this was from like 8-9 30 in the morning. :confused: By the way, this was this past week

nothing weird,a lot of kids use the prctice court(when available to practice) if they were at home I'm sure they would be practicing all day ,so why not do it even after you lose,until the next tournament... a bunch of kids practiced with each other after they lost,rather than traveling to Copper bowl site,or they pre-booked a later flight back,but they lost too early...

[mrmo1115]

nothing weird,a lot of kids use the prctice court(when available to practice) if they were at home I'm sure they would be practicing all day ,so why not do it even after you lose,until the next tournament... a bunch of kids practiced with each other after they lost,rather than traveling to Copper bowl site,or they pre-booked a later flight back,but they lost too early...

He was using a practice court at a local tournament that he wasn't even entered in... It was weird. I am speaking about back here in my section, Eastern , more specifically, NY.

[SoCal10s]

He was using a practice court at a local tournament that he wasn't even entered in... It was weird. I am speaking about back here in my section, Eastern , more specifically, NY.

maybe he was on the alternate list and didn't get in but flew out there to stand-by... they do a lot of traveling ..

[mrmo1115]

maybe he was on the alternate list and didn't get in but flew out there to stand-by... they do a lot of traveling ..

No you don't understand. It was a local L1 tournament yesterday. In the Bronx, NY. He was just there to hit when he wasn't in the tournament and he doesn't even live near the center. He just came out really early before matches started and hit 1 1/2 hours with his dad and just left.

Only possible reason that comes to my mind for why he would do this, is that he really wanted to play and the only place open and had open courts were these .

[SoCal10s]

No you don't understand. It was a local L1 tournament yesterday. In the Bronx, NY. He was just there to hit when he wasn't in the tournament and he doesn't even live near the center. He just came out really early before matches started and hit 1 1/2 hours with his dad and just left.

Only possible reason that comes to my mind for why he would do this, is that he really wanted to play and the only place open and had open courts were these .
maybe you got the wrong ID cuz he was just here 2 days ago losing and in tears at the Winter Nats... plus I don't think his dad plays tennis,the dad is sort of tall and a bit weak looking guy... was ME hear cut in super short like buzz cut? if not then you got the wrong guy... he's in a buzz hair cut and usually wears no-sleeves shirt..

[10isDad]

maybe you got the wrong ID cuz he was just here 2 days ago losing and in tears at the Winter Nats... plus I don't think his dad plays tennis,the dad is sort of tall and a bit weak looking guy... was ME hear cut in super short like buzz cut? if not then you got the wrong guy... he's in a buzz hair cut and usually wears no-sleeves shirt..

He's talking about Kyle Berman being at courts in NY

[10isDad]

kctennis - how'd you like the north-most courts at UA? Pretty ridiculous to have Level 3 national matches on courts that probably haven't been resurfaced in close to 10 years.

My kid hit a kicker that bounced off the top of his opponents racquet - a racquet that was in a full upright over-his-head position while he was in a full leap. The opponent hit a kick serve that bounced over the side wall (8 foot wall), over the fence (3 foot fence surrounding the wall).

I suppose a big-server's dream...

[mrmo1115]

He's talking about Kyle Berman being at courts in NY

Correct. (10 char)

[MIGHTY MANFRED THE WONDER]

TENNISMOM
I was joking about Elortequi wiping nose on sleeve and putting flyers on cars...

Pretty funny you didn't think twice about his wiping his nose on his sleeve, but wanted to know about contents of the "flyers"

Just can't wait to run into these two-three jokers described in this thread...
Great, just great-
Spitting on opponent's equipment, nicknamed "pcycho" and they deserve each other, etc. They really are Jokers- In the Dark Knight sense.

What the hell is wrong with this picture? Some "prestige" players- some "Nation's best", parents must be scared to close their eyes at night when these "players" are home those infrequent times.

Shouldn't older players want to be looked up to (on and off the court) by younger players? Or couldn't they care less for ANYONE but themselves? A pathetic, deperate spiral downward that will just crumble once they get that "great" scholarship and they are left to their own devises.

This stuff would get an a** whipping in any other sport. Parents spending more than college education to get partial scholarships... What a nuthouse.

[baseline08thrasher]

TENNISMOM
I was joking about Elortequi wiping nose on sleeve and putting flyers on cars...

Pretty funny you didn't think twice about his wiping his nose on his sleeve, but wanted to know about contents of the "flyers"

Just can't wait to run into these two-three jokers described in this thread...
Great, just great-
Spitting on opponent's equipment, nicknamed "pcycho" and they deserve each other, etc. They really are Jokers- In the Dark Knight sense.

What the hell is wrong with this picture? Some "prestige" players- some "Nation's best", parents must be scared to close their eyes at night when these "players" are home those infrequent times.

Shouldn't older players want to be looked up to (on and off the court) by younger players? Or couldn't they care less for ANYONE but themselves? A pathetic, deperate spiral downward that will just crumble once they get that "great" scholarship and they are left to their own devises.

This stuff would get an a** whipping in any other sport. Parents spending more than college education to get partial scholarships... What a nuthouse.



I totally agree.
Although, there can be a lot of brats out there, in every sport.
Tennis is the one where I've seen the most cheating.

It must be really hard to climb up the rankings with such big cheaters out there.

Wouldn't you rather pay a few extra dollars to have a few more officials around at a tournament site??
I know I would.

USTA does not take action on their part.

We need some top players who are role models.

[Jackie T. Stephens]

I totally agree.
Although, there can be a lot of brats out there, in every sport.
Tennis is the one where I've seen the most cheating.

It must be really hard to climb up the rankings with such big cheaters out there.

Wouldn't you rather pay a few extra dollars to have a few more officials around at a tournament site??
I know I would.

USTA does not take action on their part.

We need some top players who are role models.

Few extra dollars? One of my tennis coaches is an official and says he gets paid pretty well.

[Zhou]

Few extra dollars? One of my tennis coaches is an official and says he gets paid pretty well.

Your not understanding what he is saying.

He says pay more money so there are more officials on the courts. Not so they get paid better.

[baseline08thrasher]

What I was saying is:

having the tournament fee for EVERYONE to be more expensive, to pay for MORE officials.

That way.
Just a few extra dollars from everyone in the tournament can help provide for more officials.

Get it?

[tennismom42]

Dante Saleh is having a nice little run at the Copper Bowl

[baseline08thrasher]

Good. =]
....

[kctennis1005]

kctennis - how'd you like the north-most courts at UA? Pretty ridiculous to have Level 3 national matches on courts that probably haven't been resurfaced in close to 10 years.

My kid hit a kicker that bounced off the top of his opponents racquet - a racquet that was in a full upright over-his-head position while he was in a full leap. The opponent hit a kick serve that bounced over the side wall (8 foot wall), over the fence (3 foot fence surrounding the wall).

I suppose a big-server's dream...

i love those courts haha....ive been lucky enough to have 4/5 matches on those ones.....all i do is serve and volley and chip and charge....the only match ive lost so far has been the one not in that row of courts

[SoCal10s]

TENNISMOM
I was joking about Elortequi wiping nose on sleeve and putting flyers on cars...

Pretty funny you didn't think twice about his wiping his nose on his sleeve, but wanted to know about contents of the "flyers"

Just can't wait to run into these two-three jokers described in this thread...
Great, just great-
Spitting on opponent's equipment, nicknamed "pcycho" and they deserve each other, etc. They really are Jokers- In the Dark Knight sense.

What the hell is wrong with this picture? Some "prestige" players- some "Nation's best", parents must be scared to close their eyes at night when these "players" are home those infrequent times.

Shouldn't older players want to be looked up to (on and off the court) by younger players? Or couldn't they care less for ANYONE but themselves? A pathetic, deperate spiral downward that will just crumble once they get that "great" scholarship and they are left to their own devises.

This stuff would get an a** whipping in any other sport. Parents spending more than college education to get partial scholarships... What a nuthouse.

I'm at the B18s site at the Copper Bowl and a very good look at how bad things can get.. there are a lot of bad-ass attitude out there and the refs. seems to turn a blind eye and and deaf ear to it all.. I was watching my player 3 courts over and there was an USTA umpire standing and watching a match,this one big kid was just being an idiot,screeming all the time,threw his racket at the ball that already past him and his racket ended up into the adjacent court and having them to play a let... and the umpire does nothing.. on court 6 which is a front court a player hits a ball into parking lot and throws his racket into the change-over chair and no penalty issued...this is how idiots are bred into the system and no one says anything...

[tennismom42]

I'm at the B18s site at the Copper Bowl and a very good look at how bad things can get.. there are a lot of bad-ass attitude out there and the refs. seems to turn a blind eye and and deaf ear to it all.. I was watching my player 3 courts over and there was an USTA umpire standing and watching a match,this one big kid was just being an idiot,screeming all the time,threw his racket at the ball that already past him and his racket ended up into the adjacent court and having them to play a let... and the umpire does nothing.. on court 6 which is a front court a player hits a ball into parking lot and throws his racket into the change-over chair and no penalty issued...this is how idiots are bred into the system and no one says anything...
I think that when it goes unchecked, the kid just gets worse & worse. The umpire would actually be doing the kid a favor to give him points, settle him down.

[baseline08thrasher]

This is so terrible.
A kid I know is down there playing.
Hope he doesn't come back and become a brat.

He's a good kid, playing in the 14 & under.

[tennismom42]

This is so terrible.
A kid I know is down there playing.
Hope he doesn't come back and become a brat.

He's a good kid, playing in the 14 & under.
I think the boys are the worst around 13 - 15. But they grow out of it. They grow into competitive men instead.

For a while the USTA was crazy strict. Last few years they have lightened up. But you just never know. The kids need to behave. If a thrown racquets hits someone or something, that's 10 suspension points and you're done for 3 months.

[baseline08thrasher]

Well, from what I've been hearing it sounds like they have lightened too much at this tournament.

Usually though, I don't have any problems when I play tournaments in the USTA.

Maybe a few bad calls, or bratty remarks.
But hey,
not everyone is having a good day.

[SoCal10s]

rain out at the Copper Bowl, I wonder how they are going finish this tournament? it's suppose to rain tomorrow also ....

[kctennis1005]

rain out at the Copper Bowl, I wonder how they are going finish this tournament? it's suppose to rain tomorrow also ....

ya maybe theyll pull a california bowl and cancel the backdraw and doubles....i left today and my partner and i won in doubles because our opponents already withdrew....maybe the next round will withdraw too...then ill drive back to play the quarters haha

[SoCal10s]

ya maybe theyll pull a california bowl and cancel the backdraw and doubles....i left today and my partner and i won in doubles because our opponents already withdrew....maybe the next round will withdraw too...then ill drive back to play the quarters haha

good choice ,we left after the rain came and got back to have some good-ass lobster... and French beer for me.... I miss home and driving my own car and seeing my 23 computer screen...

[SoCal10s]

1/5 no matches before noon... I think a lot of pull outs are in order here... too bad .. they should have started the tournament a day earlier on Jan. 1 ,New Years day...

[tenniscrazed]

Dante Saleh is having a nice little run at the Copper Bowl


My son has played this kid twice. The first time my son beat him badly however within a years time this kid destroyed my son, at that time I couldn't figure out how he could that much better in such a short time (8 months to a year). That was about 6 months ago, seems like he's gotten even better since. Good on him, he seemed like a great kid both times.