I know nobody cares, but...

StartingOver · 05-21-2010, 07:57 PM

I won my first ever USTA Flex 3.0 singles match! Go me. 6-3 6-3. I know most of you don't even consider 3.0 level actual tennis, but I'm 40 and getting back into the game after about 12 years away. First time ever in a league, always just banged it around with friends.

Anyway played a super nice guy, he had decent strokes but a weak serve and it was easy to get him out of position. I served pretty well, had a few aces when I hit the corners. 1st serve percentage was decent, not great. Only 1 DF though which is good for me. My serve needs a TON of work but it's above average for 3.0 level.

Hit a few clean winners on some short balls and second serves, also hit a bunch of ridiculous looking UE, and my volleys were an abomination. Either out or popped up for a sitter in the middle of the court.

Bad technique, I was letting it get into my body too much instead of hitting in front of me. Also forgot to split step a lot when approaching. Oh well live and learn.

Mostly just thinking out loud but I welcome any comments or advice

Mick · 05-21-2010, 08:05 PM

congratulations!

Ripper014 · 05-21-2010, 09:01 PM

Congrats.. 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 it doesn't matter it is all relative... it is just great that you had a great time on the court with an equally pleasant opponent. Win or lose it is all about having a good experience on the tennis court and it sounds like you had that.

There is nothing better than having a good match with a nice opponent...

JoelDali · 05-21-2010, 09:34 PM

I care but nobody cares that I care.

I had an intense victory tonight too. Wow, talk about drama.

Participating in silly league tennis is much more fun than passively watching popular pro sports.

You can't exactly dress up and play on amatuer tackle football teams.

Cindysphinx · 05-22-2010, 04:38 AM

Awesome!! When's your next match? Will you be playing any doubles or tournaments?

hoodjem · 05-22-2010, 05:47 AM

Good for you. Tennis is mental.

West Coast Ace · 05-22-2010, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StartingOver

I know most of you don't even consider 3.0 level actual tennis,

Yes, you are a mind reader. It's not real tennis.

But a wins a win. At least you didn't sandbag and play some 80 yr old - like a lot of the 'I got bumped' whiners who are polluting this board these days...

Good job of analyzing what went right and wrong. Now you know what to work on.

Xisbum · 05-22-2010, 08:50 AM

Ha. Just had my first official match at 4.0 Super Seniors Mixed dubs, and it went as expected - 1-0 loss in about 59 minutes.

And I had a good partner. Felt sorry for her. It's gonna be a long year.

Thanks, USTA.

michael_1265 · 05-22-2010, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StartingOver

I won my first ever USTA Flex 3.0 singles match! Go me. 6-3 6-3. I know most of you don't even consider 3.0 level actual tennis, but I'm 40 and getting back into the game after about 12 years away. First time ever in a league, always just banged it around with friends.

Anyway played a super nice guy, he had decent strokes but a weak serve and it was easy to get him out of position. I served pretty well, had a few aces when I hit the corners. 1st serve percentage was decent, not great. Only 1 DF though which is good for me. My serve needs a TON of work but it's above average for 3.0 level.

Hit a few clean winners on some short balls and second serves, also hit a bunch of ridiculous looking UE, and my volleys were an abomination. Either out or popped up for a sitter in the middle of the court.

Bad technique, I was letting it get into my body too much instead of hitting in front of me. Also forgot to split step a lot when approaching. Oh well live and learn.

Mostly just thinking out loud but I welcome any comments or advice

Congrats from another 3.0. I got my first singles win this year also. I enjoy playing 3.5s and 4.0s when I can, because the angles and pace are much more predictable than I see at 3.0.

penpal · 05-23-2010, 08:36 AM

Congrats - sounds like you had a blast.

StartingOver · 05-23-2010, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

Awesome!! When's your next match? Will you be playing any doubles or tournaments?

I should be playing about 1 match a week in this flex league. I'm also on a mixed doubles team, I'm 3-2 in those matches, it's pretty fun. I prefer singles, even though I'm not really in shape for it. I'd love to play a tourney once I get a few more matches under my belt. Maybe in the fall.

soyizgood · 05-23-2010, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StartingOver

I won my first ever USTA Flex 3.0 singles match! Go me. 6-3 6-3. I know most of you don't even consider 3.0 level actual tennis, but I'm 40 and getting back into the game after about 12 years away. First time ever in a league, always just banged it around with friends.

Anyway played a super nice guy, he had decent strokes but a weak serve and it was easy to get him out of position. I served pretty well, had a few aces when I hit the corners. 1st serve percentage was decent, not great. Only 1 DF though which is good for me. My serve needs a TON of work but it's above average for 3.0 level.

Hit a few clean winners on some short balls and second serves, also hit a bunch of ridiculous looking UE, and my volleys were an abomination. Either out or popped up for a sitter in the middle of the court.

Bad technique, I was letting it get into my body too much instead of hitting in front of me. Also forgot to split step a lot when approaching. Oh well live and learn.

Mostly just thinking out loud but I welcome any comments or advice

I'm thinking of trying out the Flex League later this year. I want to improve my play, get more experience, and hopefully win a 3.5 trophy somewhere. So congrats!

05-21-2010, 07:57 PM	#1
StartingOver New User Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6	I know nobody cares, but... I won my first ever USTA Flex 3.0 singles match! Go me. 6-3 6-3. I know most of you don't even consider 3.0 level actual tennis, but I'm 40 and getting back into the game after about 12 years away. First time ever in a league, always just banged it around with friends. Anyway played a super nice guy, he had decent strokes but a weak serve and it was easy to get him out of position. I served pretty well, had a few aces when I hit the corners. 1st serve percentage was decent, not great. Only 1 DF though which is good for me. My serve needs a TON of work but it's above average for 3.0 level. Hit a few clean winners on some short balls and second serves, also hit a bunch of ridiculous looking UE, and my volleys were an abomination. Either out or popped up for a sitter in the middle of the court. Bad technique, I was letting it get into my body too much instead of hitting in front of me. Also forgot to split step a lot when approaching. Oh well live and learn. Mostly just thinking out loud but I welcome any comments or advice

05-21-2010, 09:01 PM	#3
Ripper014 Hall Of Fame Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,820	Congrats.. 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 it doesn't matter it is all relative... it is just great that you had a great time on the court with an equally pleasant opponent. Win or lose it is all about having a good experience on the tennis court and it sounds like you had that. There is nothing better than having a good match with a nice opponent... __________________ Doing whatever it takes to win... does not make you a winner.

05-21-2010, 09:34 PM	#4
JoelDali Legend Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 8,947	I care but nobody cares that I care. I had an intense victory tonight too. Wow, talk about drama. Participating in silly league tennis is much more fun than passively watching popular pro sports. You can't exactly dress up and play on amatuer tackle football teams. __________________ There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. A mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live and too rare to die.

05-22-2010, 04:38 AM	#5
Cindysphinx G.O.A.T. Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 14,082	Awesome!! When's your next match? Will you be playing any doubles or tournaments? __________________ -- Random Error Generator, Version 4.0 -- Master Moonballer

05-22-2010, 05:47 AM	#6
hoodjem Legend Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bierlandt Posts: 9,964	Good for you. Tennis is mental. __________________ The smart man thinks he knows a lot; the wise man is aware that he knows little.