Goodbye 3.5, hellooooo 4.0!

[Kostas]

Well, I had a much better season than I had expected at the beginning of the year.

Last year's crazy bump-ups watered down 3.5 so badly that I ended up having a pretty decent season.

I self-rated at 3.0 for mixed in summer of 2008 and played 3.0 for mixed and combo and all of 2009. Got bumped to 3.5 for 2010 and I was hoping to play 3.5 this year AND next year and then hopefully get bumped to 4.0 after that (yes, I actually want to improve and get better).

I know that no one knows for sure how the rating system works and it all depends on the relative strength of your opponents and the number of games won, but I went 6-1 in local league play and 3-1 at the MS state championships this weekend. Our team went a competitive 3-2 overall losing both matches by very thin margins (one to the state champs).

Looks like I'm going to be 4.0 a full year ahead of schedule which is encouraging yet also depressing...

The guys that got bumped to 4.0 LAST year are still clearly better than me (although I am closing the gap a bit), and they are struggling mightily at 4.0 this year. If I (and my team) are all going to 4.0 next year to play against the "new" 4.0s and the old 4.0s then we are in a for a world of hurt.

It was fun winning alot while it lasted, but I will have to claw my way from the bottom of the ladder at 4.0 next year.

Anyways, just wanted to share my story.

[J_R_B]

There probably won't be as many bumps this year. There was an intentional one time correction to everyone's dynamic ratings last year that caused the mass bump. I'm not saying you won't be bumped, but it's not going to be like last year. Good luck, though.

[Limpinhitter]

You know, about 30 years ago I played 3rd on a men's 4.5 team. I was the biggest hitter on the team, but, I was young and aggressive, the 1 & 2 guys were just too steady and patient for me to beat consistently on clay which was what most of our matches were played on. Since I've [ehem] matured, I've learned how to actually play a match.

Anyway, since then I've known of former collegiate players from big schools playing 4.5. Looking at the actual description I'd call myself a 5.0+. Looking at who actually plays 4.5 around here, I would probably be out of the singles and relegated to the doubles at 4.5.

So, my point is - what does it all mean anyway?

[Cindysphinx]

Good on you!

Me, I need some more seasoning at 3.5 first . . .

[Annika]

Originally Posted by Limpinhitter

You know, about 30 years ago I played 3rd on a men's 4.5 team. I was the biggest hitter on the team, but, I was young and aggressive, the 1 & 2 guys were just too steady and patient for me to beat consistently on clay which was what most of our matches were played on. Since I've [ehem] matured, I've learned how to actually play a match.

Anyway, since then I've known of former collegiate players from big schools playing 4.5. Looking at the actual description I'd call myself a 5.0+. Looking at who actually plays 4.5 around here, I would probably be out of the singles and relegated to the doubles at 4.5.

So, my point is - what does it all mean anyway?

Congratulations.
Um, yes. We do finally mature and become much more patient. In fact we even incorporate new shots that we'd never had used when we were younger.

[West Coast Ace]

Originally Posted by Kostas

Well, I had a much better season than I had expected at the beginning of the year...Anyways, just wanted to share my story.

Glad you're taking it in stride. As opposed to most of the whiners that come through this board, acting like the USTA is depriving them of their birthright to an annual trip to the Nationals.

My advice: work on your 2nd serve!

[J_R_B]

Originally Posted by Limpinhitter

You know, about 30 years ago I played 3rd on a men's 4.5 team. I was the biggest hitter on the team, but, I was young and aggressive, the 1 & 2 guys were just too steady and patient for me to beat consistently on clay which was what most of our matches were played on. Since I've [ehem] matured, I've learned how to actually play a match.

Anyway, since then I've known of former collegiate players from big schools playing 4.5. Looking at the actual description I'd call myself a 5.0+. Looking at who actually plays 4.5 around here, I would probably be out of the singles and relegated to the doubles at 4.5.

So, my point is - what does it all mean anyway?

LOL. It means you are badly overrating your game.

[Kostas]

Originally Posted by West Coast Ace

Glad you're taking it in stride. As opposed to most of the whiners that come through this board, acting like the USTA is depriving them of their birthright to an annual trip to the Nationals.

My advice: work on your 2nd serve!

Actually my serve (especially my 2nd serve) is the most improved part of my game over the past year or so and is the biggest factor in my success this year.

Most of the current 4.0s I play around here struggle with it and even the ones that don't struggle with it can't really attack it with any consistency.

It's a decent sized kick serve that I basically hit for both my first and second with a low double fault %.