How long have you played tennis?
- Thread starter tennismx
- Start date
court_zone
Rookie
3 years, i'm probably around a 4.0 baseliner/counterpuncher, i'm working on my transition the net more and also to build a more all-around game.
thehustler
Semi-Pro
Year and a half and I'm a 4.0 player. I'm constantly working on my all court game. More of a baseliner now with opportunistic chances at net, but am coming to net more to finish points quicker and put more pressure on my opponents.
StringBreaker
Rookie
Been playing for a little over 20 years, as for skill level, I think the self applied ratings system is total nonsense.
court_zone
Rookie
thehustler said:
__jt__ said:
How could you two be at that high a level, after playing for such a short time. You must do intense training or be really talented.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
mach1
Rookie
I began in the beginning of 2001, my junior year, for 2 months because we needed players for out tennis team in high school haha. Stopped for about a year and a half. Then I started playing up until now. So that would be about...ummm...2 1/2 years. Maybe a 4.0 here in NorCal. check the sig
T
tennisboy87
Guest
I've been playing since I was 5. I'm 17 now.
thehustler
Semi-Pro
It's possible
I play tons and tons of matches. I try to practice when I can, but with all the rain here it's hard to do. I did a bunch of 3.5 tournaments early last year and I just steamrolled thru everyone. At first the matches were close, but as time went on I started crushing people. I've played some people who are rated at 4.5 and above and they all say that I am a 4.0 player. I will be doing lots of 4.0 tourneys this year and if it's anything like last year I will be a 4.5 by the end of this year. I don't know if I would consider myself the most talented player when I'm in a match, but I would say I am the most determined and strongest willed player for sure. I never give up, not on a drop shot by my opponent when I'm behind the baseline, or what could be a cross court winner when I'm at the opposite end of the court. I get to more balls than most people would ever go after and that gives me a huge psychological advantage because it forces my opponent to try and be perfect on each shot for fear that I'll get another ball back and make them screw up.
It all comes down on what your goals are. My goal is to be an open level player within a couple years. I feel at the rate that I am improving that it is possible. I will take myself as far as I can until I level out, then I will get a coach to push me the rest of the way. Most people I play just settle for whatever level they are at and don't want to play at a higher level. They'd rather be in their comfort zone where they can beat other people easily and not have many challenges, rather than stepping up and seeing what they're really capable of. Anything is possible, you just have to believe in yourself and then go out and make it happen.
court_zone said:
I play tons and tons of matches. I try to practice when I can, but with all the rain here it's hard to do. I did a bunch of 3.5 tournaments early last year and I just steamrolled thru everyone. At first the matches were close, but as time went on I started crushing people. I've played some people who are rated at 4.5 and above and they all say that I am a 4.0 player. I will be doing lots of 4.0 tourneys this year and if it's anything like last year I will be a 4.5 by the end of this year. I don't know if I would consider myself the most talented player when I'm in a match, but I would say I am the most determined and strongest willed player for sure. I never give up, not on a drop shot by my opponent when I'm behind the baseline, or what could be a cross court winner when I'm at the opposite end of the court. I get to more balls than most people would ever go after and that gives me a huge psychological advantage because it forces my opponent to try and be perfect on each shot for fear that I'll get another ball back and make them screw up.
It all comes down on what your goals are. My goal is to be an open level player within a couple years. I feel at the rate that I am improving that it is possible. I will take myself as far as I can until I level out, then I will get a coach to push me the rest of the way. Most people I play just settle for whatever level they are at and don't want to play at a higher level. They'd rather be in their comfort zone where they can beat other people easily and not have many challenges, rather than stepping up and seeing what they're really capable of. Anything is possible, you just have to believe in yourself and then go out and make it happen.
Umm..about 6 or 7 years really, playing an all-court game built on footspeed and groundstrokes.
One question though...all this 3.0 and 4.5 stuff, does it actually mean anything? And if so...what? I've never heard anyone I know talk about such ratings, not even any of the pros at my local club.
One question though...all this 3.0 and 4.5 stuff, does it actually mean anything? And if so...what? I've never heard anyone I know talk about such ratings, not even any of the pros at my local club.
thehustler
Semi-Pro
I don't take the rating system too seriously. It's really hard to place yourself in one category. I see myself as having a 4.5-5.0 mentality, but perhaps a 4.0 backhand and forehand. Other strokes might be better or worse, so I just do tourneys at what level I feel I am at. If I get deep in tournaments then I will consider myself at least that rated level. As I said earlier, if I steamroll people without much effort then I will start playing up to see if I have moved a level up. At least in my area it seems they are cracking down on people who sandbag, as they've got a whole list of everyone who's played and what their computer ratings are. This way you won't get some 4.5 player playing in a 3.5 tournament just to get a cheap win so they can feel good about themselves when they should be playing at the 4.5 level. You'll know the difference between a 5.0 player, 4.0 and 3.0 just by watching their game. You can always go to this site: http://www.usta.com/leagues/custom.sps?iType=931&icustompageid=1655 for more detailed info on each rated level. HTH.
It's me...mwa, mwa, mwa daahling!
Hmm...I don't know like a definite number level. I've never been concerned with that. Tennis is just fun for me. As for how good I am, I'd say...eehh...okay--I'm still learning. However, I do love hitting a good overhead. Haha.
I am 17 and have played for only two years, but I mostly started playing to stay in shape. Tennis is great here in south Georgia. You can play year-round. The weather today was in the 70's!
My favorite sport ever is MOTOCROSS, but being a girl, I like playing tennis instead.
__jt__ said:
Hmm...I don't know like a definite number level. I've never been concerned with that. Tennis is just fun for me. As for how good I am, I'd say...eehh...okay--I'm still learning. However, I do love hitting a good overhead. Haha.
I am 17 and have played for only two years, but I mostly started playing to stay in shape. Tennis is great here in south Georgia. You can play year-round. The weather today was in the 70's!
My favorite sport ever is MOTOCROSS, but being a girl, I like playing tennis instead.
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
I've been playing on and off for almost 30 years and am currently a 4.0 to 4.5 player (NorCal USTA rating that is).
BTW, I'm amazed that anyone that has only been playing for only a year or two can claim that they are a 4.0 player. I'd bet even Federer played for more than 5 years before he was at a 4.0 level.
BTW, I'm amazed that anyone that has only been playing for only a year or two can claim that they are a 4.0 player. I'd bet even Federer played for more than 5 years before he was at a 4.0 level.
thehustler
Semi-Pro
I guess I'm better than Fed then. Seriously though why is it so hard to believe that someone could play tennis for a year and a half and be a 4.0 player? For me personally I push myself harder than anybody else. When I first met a buddy of mine a little more than a year ago he was probably a 3.5 and I was probably a 3.0. Over time I have improved by leaps and bounds and he hasn't. He's leveled out, mainly due to his mentality stopping him from improving. Mine pushes me harder than him or anybody else I know. He knows this and I am working with him to improve his mental game so he can be the best player he can be. Personally I want to be the best and work my butt off to make sure that I will be. I mentioned this before and I'll say it again, anything is possible if you believe in yourself and put your mind to it. Just because you (person reading this, not anybody in particular) or someone else you know can't move up that quick doesn't mean anybody else can't. I'd be more curious as to how someone moved up so quick, rather than trying to knock them and saying it's basically impossible to do. To each their own I guess.
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Perhaps it's because tennis is such a difficult sport to learn. That's why so many people pay teaching pros and take lessons for years and years. That doesn't happen in soccer or basketball or many other sports. Have you read the article on the last page of this month's (Jan./Feb.) "Tennis Magazine" called "Degree of Difficulty"? That's why to become a pro, most kids need to start playing between age 2 and 7. After that, it's basically too late as there isn't enough time to get good enough. Of course, there are a few exceptions, but they are extremely rare. Bottom like is that it takes years and years of practice to refine one's strokes. Most of the 4.0's I know around here have been playing for 20+ years and some were ex-college players.
thehustler said:
It realy depends on how you see the rating system. In the Netherlands the rating system is from 9 to 1 with 1 being the first fifty in the Netherlands. The only promotion you get basicly for free is form 9 to 8, after that you need to play competition and/or tournaments to advance. It works like this. If you beat an 8 you get a 7 as a result. If you lose you get a 9. The average rounded up or down to a whole number, will be the starting rating for the next year.
In The Netherlands I have a rating of 7 witch translated to 3.0 in the american system according to the ITF site. However if I would have to rate myself according to the technical skils on the USTA site I would say I am 4.0 at least. The technical skils alone will not help you win matches.
thehustler
Semi-Pro
I understand that tennis is a difficult sport to learn. I play a lot of sports and I would have to say that tennis is the most difficult by far, maybe because I'm learning it at such a late age (26) than when I started learning basketball (couple days old). I'm not looking to become a pro though. I know it takes time and practice to refine one's strokes. I play on average once a day. During the summer it can be 2-3 times a day. I can analyze myself on the fly and figure out what I need to improve during a match. I do understand that for most people doing this is hard, but there are the few exceptions who can pick up a racket, take a few lessons and do what I've done.
As far as the technical skills go, it's no doubt that the technical skills will not help you win matches. I mentioned this earlier, but some of my strokes are 4.0, others are higher and lower. But the most important thing in tennis I think is one's mentality. If you chase every ball, if you never ever give up you can do more damage to your opponent's psyche than a dominating serve or forehand could ever do. I see so many of my opponents get demoralized when they execute a text book drop shot when I'm at the baseline, only to see me chase it down and flick it back over. This tells them that they need to be a little more perfect with their shots and puts them in a uncomfortable situation. They then try to be too perfect and start hitting more unforced errors which then just destroys their confidence and allows me to take over.
I think one should look at their mentality before looking at this rating system. You could have the strokes of a 4.5-5.0 player but if you can't hold it together mentally then perhaps you need to drop to 4.0 or lower until you fix that part. The mental game is the least worked on part by most players and it shows in tournaments when things don't go their way. But that's for another thread and I'm too lazy to start one. Have a good day everyone.
As far as the technical skills go, it's no doubt that the technical skills will not help you win matches. I mentioned this earlier, but some of my strokes are 4.0, others are higher and lower. But the most important thing in tennis I think is one's mentality. If you chase every ball, if you never ever give up you can do more damage to your opponent's psyche than a dominating serve or forehand could ever do. I see so many of my opponents get demoralized when they execute a text book drop shot when I'm at the baseline, only to see me chase it down and flick it back over. This tells them that they need to be a little more perfect with their shots and puts them in a uncomfortable situation. They then try to be too perfect and start hitting more unforced errors which then just destroys their confidence and allows me to take over.
I think one should look at their mentality before looking at this rating system. You could have the strokes of a 4.5-5.0 player but if you can't hold it together mentally then perhaps you need to drop to 4.0 or lower until you fix that part. The mental game is the least worked on part by most players and it shows in tournaments when things don't go their way. But that's for another thread and I'm too lazy to start one. Have a good day everyone.
Camilio Pascual
Hall of Fame
48-1/2 years.
THE ANIMAL
Rookie
little over 20 years
SocalTennis
Rookie
I've been playing for 14 years now. I play extensively the first 4 years and didn't touch the racquet for 8 and recently play again for the last 2 years.It is possible to improve in a short time. Back in high school when I just begin playing tennis, I put out one Summer and play like from 10 am to 8pm almost everyday. I went from a 2.0 to a 4.5. I never pay for a coach, just helps from better people that show me a little bit of what they know and mostly I learn from reading tennis magazine and watching professional matches.
I'm almost 30, I learnt to play when I was 15, I estimate I'm 4.0. I play 2-4 hours a week and most of my opponent's level are below than me, it's so hard to progress......
I have joined a short term course recently, in this period, I play 8 hours a week and I can play with different players, also a coach tune my weakness, I find that I progess alot and my stroke to be more consistent, unfortunately, I can't afford to join always!
I have joined a short term course recently, in this period, I play 8 hours a week and I can play with different players, also a coach tune my weakness, I find that I progess alot and my stroke to be more consistent, unfortunately, I can't afford to join always!
jayserinos99
Hall of Fame
I started tennis 13 years ago but I started playing competitively a couple years after that. I think I topped out at 4.0-4.5.
danniflava
Rookie
I've been playing for 4 years, and I'm 3.5-4.0. SELF-TAUGHT!!!
hyperwarrior2004
New User
StringBreaker said:
That's what I thought also lol!
By the way, I started in 1995 and I felt playing like a 2.0. I lack consistency and I need to train full-time!! That's a nonsense being a 2.0 after 10 years almost. I do suck!
The Hustler-"I can analyze myself on the fly and figure out what I need to improve during a match. I do understand that for most people doing this is hard, but there are the few exceptions who can pick up a racket, take a few lessons and do what I've done."
Do you think you are like the hardest working and fastest learning player in america?
Do you think you are like the hardest working and fastest learning player in america?
loubapache
Professional
I was 38 when I first picked up a tennis racket. I did not play regularily until this past August. Since then, I play 3 - 5 times a week because my daughter is in the high school tennis team and I made a committment to improve my fitness. I am currently a solid 4.0 player and 43 years old. This is not a self-rating because there is a Pro Tennis Mgmt program at the university I teach and one of the entrance requirements for the students is a minimum of 4.0. I played with many of these students.
I used to play other sports competitively. I think my volleyball experience really helps my serve and overhead game (I can hit 90 plus MPH serves on most days). My table tennis and badminton times made me confident in my backhand slice and volleys. I serve and volley on my first serves and drive/chip and charge on opponent's second serves.
I used to play other sports competitively. I think my volleyball experience really helps my serve and overhead game (I can hit 90 plus MPH serves on most days). My table tennis and badminton times made me confident in my backhand slice and volleys. I serve and volley on my first serves and drive/chip and charge on opponent's second serves.
thehustler
Semi-Pro
canady10 -
Where in the world did you get that idea? Did I say that? No. It seems on here that most people don't believe I did what I did. That's fine. I'm saying what I am doing can be done and it is easy. Re-read everything I've said and then you'll realize your question is just a waste of text.
Where in the world did you get that idea? Did I say that? No. It seems on here that most people don't believe I did what I did. That's fine. I'm saying what I am doing can be done and it is easy. Re-read everything I've said and then you'll realize your question is just a waste of text.
Superior_Forehand
Rookie
I'm 20 and have been playing about 13 months. I am pretty good for only having played a year but I am not going to venture a self rating, sense I think that system is pretty subjective anyway. I play every day and have been coached very well multiple times a week. My strengths are serve and forehand, my weakness is my mental game.
Andy Hewitt
Professional
2 years now
well lets just say i've always 'took' lessons since i was five or six... but not seriously. they were like these summer lessons with three other kids and we weren't serious. however two years ago (i am now 16) i began taking lessons from a guy that my parents know and he is very, very good. in fact his son is 11 and probably a 4.5. i'm a 4.0 now because for the past two years tennis has been 75% of my life and i have worked my butt off getting good.
