So Cal Men's Opens
- Thread starter 35ft6
- Start date
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
I've seen Newman play a little bit and have seen Cook's results in the Futures. They are both awesome. They'll probably be playing The Ojai later this month.
Why? Are you gonna play with one or both of them.
Why? Are you gonna play with one or both of them.
35ft6
Legend
I would be happy to win a game off them. Maybe I'll finally check out the Ojai this year, see all the Open players I've been tracking for the past 3 years.
Think I could have cracked the top 90 or 100 of the seeding list 5 years ago, but not sure about now. Even the 100th ranked guy is looking solid. Need to lose weight.
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35ft6
Legend
Currently 382.
This thread isn't just about them though. Just want a convenient place/excuse for So Cal open gossip. Played with a board member last week, we talked for about an hour afterwards exchanging stories about players we've heard of.
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
How come the national rankings are not dominated by Socal/Florida players?
J
J
35ft6
Legend
I would still think that overall each state's players represent well over 1/50th of the people on that list.
Looking at the list, it's tough to know which states to assign a player. Like Roddick was born in Nebraska, but seems to identify himself with Texas, but I'm pretty sure he grew up playing mostly in Florida.
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
I was talking more about the age group and open ranking lists, not so much the pro list posted in the other thread.
J
J
35ft6
Legend
In the Boys 18's, out of the top 50 players, 23 are from Florida or California. That seems pretty dominant to me. Same with boys 16's, 23 players. (taken from final 2006 rankings) "Only" 15 in boys 14's.
That might be the truest indicators, because after high school and college, people are more likely to move away from their home state.
Couldn't find a men's national open ranking list. I know in So Cal, a lot, or at least many, of guys are from different parts of the country if not from different countries.
dukemunson
Rookie
when your in the juniors everyone plays the nationals, thus you see Florida and SoCal dominating with Texas and Georgia usually putting up strong contingents as well (with of course a good player or two each from the rest of the sections). Once your passed the juniors though, if your still playing it's either in college, in futures (or beyond) or open tournaments on the weekends. No doubt Florida and SoCal still have the best Open tournaments and players its just they dont travel to tournaments out of there section any more...why should a SoCal guy travel when every weekend theres a money tournament with $1500 plus to the winner? Newman has a weird game...he'll beat more established players then get killed by guys who can take advantage of his serve.
35ft6
Legend
I heard he hits really flat and that he was taught by Lansdorp. But how is it weird? Wondering cuz I saw him once and he looked like the total opposite of what you would think a top tennis player would look like. Short, a little belly, and lethargic, like he couldn't wait to smoke a bowl and watch Spongebob.
dukemunson
Rookie
Perhaps weird is the wrong word, he's a guy you watch or play that you dont think is very good but comes up with solid wins consistently. I certainly wouldnt see him beating cook now though...cook is hitting the ball really well...
dukemunson
Rookie
A lot of the good SoCal players blaze...you'd be amazed. Most would probably opt for adult swim though over spongebob
mellofelow
Semi-Pro
It's been years since a group of us used to hit at a park around Melrose area. Noah was a junior then, 16 I believe but pretty tall already. He's gotta be at least 6 ft. Kevin Kim showed up once in a while also.
dukemunson
Rookie
He's at best (in a Serena 135lbs kind of way) 5'10".
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
Played a member eh! Which one, what was the score, and how did the match go?
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
I think this is the next So Cal Open money tournament. $500 for the winner, plus a bonus if the winner also wins the dubs.
Its at Cabrillo Racket Club in Somis (Camarillo, where the Bryan's are from), and will have a very tough draw, including SoCal top teners.
http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/TournamentHome/Players.aspx?T=43865&L=E&E=5
Its at Cabrillo Racket Club in Somis (Camarillo, where the Bryan's are from), and will have a very tough draw, including SoCal top teners.
http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/TournamentHome/Players.aspx?T=43865&L=E&E=5
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
WOW not even a 16 man draw yet for a money event? That seems kind of lame...Is that typical out there? Sometimes we get lame draws here, especially in the cold months, but I figured there would be many more players out there.
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J
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
Most likely it will fill up to a full 32 or partial 64.
dukemunson
Rookie
$500 is a bit weak to have to make the commute from LA...gotta get into the $1000 range to get the good players
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
Bah, I drove to new jersey 4.5 hours in an ice storm to a tournament I was the #2 seed at only to lose in the first round. Get stuck in the parking lot after my match, and drive 5 hours home. My back was totally locked up after the ride there, and I had tears in my eyes by the time I got home. Due to a series of unfortunate events I got about 10 hours sleep in the three days leading up to the tournament. I spent the whole next day in bed. It aint about money, it is about competition.
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J
dukemunson
Rookie
notice I said good players...guys with a few points in the world rankings. Link started with Cook and Newman, these guys aren't showing up for the competition no matter how much they love tennis...the tournament either has to have money or ATP points...
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
lol, I know what you meant. Just being silly.
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J
dukemunson
Rookie
I did appreciate the effort you made though...I too once drove 4 hours to an open tournament as the high seed, started cramping in the first set and drove home not only my $42 entry fee poorer but my leg a spastic mess from the cramped confines of my brothers celica. Great sport...it will drive you nuts (and from time to time to a tall Heineken) but you gotta love it...
35ft6
Legend
We didn't play a match. Onehandbh. He's only been playing about once a week, and I've played about 7 times since July, so it's not the greatest tennis in the world. Just got another job with crazy hours so plans must be put on hold, but I do want to try to get into shape and play competitively again before my legs blow up.
Seriously, lets hit though. I'll even play a match if you want. I'm sure after two or three more outings, my timing will start coming back.
35ft6
Legend
That's hardcore. I wish I could start clapping, slowly, and everybody here could join in until we're cheering our ashes off.
Man, when I'm really into tennis, I'm a nut too. Best days of my life were spent on the tennis court, drinking Slurpies for lunch.
35ft6
Legend
Fedace
Banned
Granite thinks way Muller is playing lately he can take on Blake in a match. and he may have a point. Last year Sam Querry took on somebody i never heard in the finals
and lost. who was that guy ? and what became of him?
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
Yeah, i have one, a crappy one. 280. That's what happens when you only play a few tournaments a year. The funny thing is is that there are guys around 150 that i know i can beat. But with the family, new baby, full time job, focussing on my boys tennis, it hard to play a bunch of tournaments.
Definitely up for that hit as soon as logistics allow.
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
Granite thinks way Muller is playing lately he can take on Blake in a match. and he may have a point. Last year Sam Querry took on somebody i never heard in the finals
Blake really picked it up after the first set, unfortunately he put it down again in the tiebreak. Whats up with the inability of the score keepers to show the TB score. BTW, the link to the livecams is awesome.
Fedace
Banned
Good new for you Granite, Stanford is playing Washington huskies this saturday and they have even better webcam and they have Sounds too. you can watch your homeboy muller live with sounds. CMON STANFORD..
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
Yeah, neither of us are playing often enough. The most I ever play in a
week is twice, but usually only once.
35ft6,
Even in your rusty state, it's pretty obvious though that you have
played at a high level before and have good strokes and understanding of
point construction, etc. I'd say that even in your current state, you'd
probably still take out 90% of 4.5's easily and probably win a
a 4.5 tournament and do okay in a 5.5 tournament - provided you don't
get too tired and/or cramp up.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
Playing lots of tournaments definitely makes a difference. Getting to the
2nd round in 10 tournaments probably affects your ranking more than
getting to the semi's of one (assuming it isn't Ojai).
I'm really impressed that you are able to squeeze in so many practice
matches. No family or kids yet and I still can barely find time. You must be the master of time efficiency/management.
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
Some of the credit for that goes to my wife for saying, "yeah sure, you can play, i'll hold down the fort". Also, I can play when i schedule a practice match for my boy at the same time. Gotta figure out all the tricks to be able to try to play even close to as often as i like to.
35ft6
Legend
If I lost to a 4.5, I'd kill myself. Unless it's one of those dastardly 6.0 4.5's. I'm usually hitting okay within a month or two, no longer, no matter how long of a layoff I take. This is really probably one of the longer ones.
The biggest danger of such a long downtime is not being rusty, which you know will come off eventually so no worries, but coming back and having some weird new addition to your stroke you never had before. I'm doing something weird on my forehand and I think I know what I'm doing wrong, but I wasn't able to get rid of it the other night.
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
That's hardcore. I wish I could start clapping, slowly, and everybody here could join in until we're cheering our ashes off.
Maybe you could applaud if I cut a swath through the draw and took home some hardware, but going out in the first round to a glorified 4.5 isn't noteworthy. It just proves that I am young and stupid.
J
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
ha ha, didn't mean that you'd lose to the other 10%, just that you'd
probably bagel or breadstick 90% and the rest might get a few games
to make it more interesting. Of course I was referring to actual 4.5
guys and the guys winning the 4.5 tournaments, not the league
sandbaggers. You'd still beat some of the 5.5 tournament guys I
know in straight sets I think right now.
35ft6
Legend
Oooh. I feel so shaky out there you had me wondering. Haha.
Well, people are probably wondering about your game so what I notice is that OnehandBH's groundstrokes are nice, and I'm sure they were much more consistent before, but I get the feeling they were never designed to grind out points -- more aggressive than that. Your backhand is actually, I think, you're more penetrating shot, really heavy when you connect. And if he's a serve and volleyer to boot -- I think he said he served and volleyed on these boards -- it would be very interesting to see him play when he's at 90% or higher. In form, 5.0 at least.
But most importantly, it's great to hit with somebody who can play AND likes to talk about tennis. Amazingly, most guys I know don't really follow the game, and just want to hit "to get a good sweat going."
GraniteChief, we get one more So Cal guy, we can get a game of doubles going. Let's make this happen!
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35ft6
Legend
It's still cool. If I were rich, I'd love to get into great shape, and drive around the country playing local tournaments. Of course, Jessica Biel would come along to wash my clothes.
onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
Yeah, I've never been one to hang back at the baseline and outlast
opponents. Usually just looking to find an opening to get to the net, where
I can hit volleys & overheads. Of course how often I can S&V depends
on how my serve is going.
It's fun talking about the game. One of
the things I like about tennis is that there are so many ways to win a
point/game/match and construct a point, and it allows for all kinds of
styles of play. For example, how the heck can a 5'5" guy like Rochus
be competitive against someone like Safin or someone that on paper
has better groundstrokes, is faster, AND has a better serve?
Some doubles with the Chief sounds good.
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
I just wanna play all four Cat I nationals in a year, Jessica Biel can wait. Definately gonna do Indoor and Grass this year. I am on the fence about Clay. And Hardcourts are out for this year. Gonna try like heck to play all 4 next year.
J
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
Hey guys, i made it back from Tahoe, didn't get skunked on snowboarding this year after all. Friday was 60+ degrees and super slushy, in a good way. Snowboarding in mashed potatoes is actually pretty fun.
Yeah, i'd be down for some dubs and i have a couple buddies in mind that might want to join in. Tough to find the time though, most likely it would be when i bring my boy down to the area for a tournament.
So the dude that i lost to in the last couple tournamants, Samuel Webster, played and lost in the first round of a Challenger qually in Santa Clarita. I assume he got into it by winning a wildcard tourney, although the final result isn't shown. Interesting list of SoCalOpen players here, including Newman and Jung.
http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/Draws/EventDraw.aspx?T=57444&E=3&D=M&S=F
Isn't that in your neck of the woods 35ft6 and onehandbh. It looks like a good draw and would be fun to check out.
Here is the qualy draw: http://www.paseochallenger.com/Quali.pdf
Here is the main draw: http://www.paseochallenger.com/x.pdf
Also, as i predicted the draw for the Cabrillo Open filled up quite a bit, wish i could've given that one a shot but my newborn said no.
http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/TournamentHome/Players.aspx?T=43865&L=E&E=5
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onehandbh
G.O.A.T.
Definitely going to try and make it to see some matches if I have time.
It's a small venue so often you can sit pretty much courtside in the
earlier rounds.
It's a small venue so often you can sit pretty much courtside in the
earlier rounds.
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
I manage to hit a few good shots but not 6.0. Maybe 5.5 in my best days, but now I just work full time and tend to the family so probably more like 5.0, which i'm kinda proud of condsidering that i'm basically self taught and didn't even start till i was 24.
How bout you jamauss?
How bout you jamauss?
jamauss
Hall of Fame
I didn't start playing until about mid-way through high school. Played for about a year after I graduated and then didn't play for about 5 or 6 years. I picked it back up about a year and a half ago and play consistent 4.0 tennis...4.5 on my good days. I'm self-taught also...never had a lesson in my life. I'm planning on changing that soon though, I'd like to get some professional direction on improving my 1HBH.
I'm 26 now and I would like to get to the 5.0-5.5 level, maybe play in some regional Open Tournaments someday.
I'm 26 now and I would like to get to the 5.0-5.5 level, maybe play in some regional Open Tournaments someday.
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GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
Following up, Alex Bogdanovich wins the Valencia Challenger. Levy/Warburg win the dubs.
Calle Hansen wins the Cabrillo Open w/o dropping a set. And Andre Feliz/Dan Ho win the dubs. Those guys are still high school i think, very tough players.
Good stuff. Whats next?
Calle Hansen wins the Cabrillo Open w/o dropping a set. And Andre Feliz/Dan Ho win the dubs. Those guys are still high school i think, very tough players.
Good stuff. Whats next?
I saw both Lester Cook and his older brother Jason play. Lester is a small guy around 5'8" or so but very quick around the court with a very smooth Fed-like 1hbh. However, he's prone to injury and I once saw a match where the quit in the second set against Warburg because of a pulled hamstring or something. He's playing Ojai so you'll get to see him there.
JohnMatrix
New User
I've seen Newman play on a few occasions. Topspin drive off both wings, solid performer. Nothing spectacular for his wins. Hits it deep and is solid. Plays smart moves you around.
You ever seen Zybnek Mlynarik play? Nothing what I expected....
Infact he beat Querrey at Ojai last year which is crazy because now Querrey is top 100!
P.S. what part of So Cal are you in 35ft6? Are you open level? Maybe you would like to play a match?
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