Going Full Time at Tennis
- Thread starter Moz
- Start date
J
Julieta
Guest
Moz - just ran into this by accident from a player blog - it's about a recent French tournament experience. Looks like its still the same - lots of great tennis and you great treated really well (for the most part). You'd probably get more matches out of this than training in the US and make money as well. Very often you do get free housing. It used to be that you contacted the French tennis federation and you had to go to Roland Garros to get a ranking. Then you can start playing. I dont know if it still works the same as far as getting started but I would contact them to find out. It is worth considering. Anyway, here is what she wrote:
"...I’d never played money tournaments in France before, but had heard great things from a number of players. For my short stay, I was treated like royalty. I was picked up from the train station, taken to my free hotel, given free food and all I had to do was play a quarter final match on the Saturday and then hopefully a semi and final on the Sunday. I chose to play the tournament because I was in desperate need of matches. The money tournament met my needs, playing many matches, with enough pressure to make me focus and tough enough to make me have to work. After playing the tournament, something that happens each week in France, you become aware of why France has so many players in the Top 100. Here I played three girls, who weren’t ranked, but were very good opposition. The girl I beat in the final, doesn’t play any professional tournaments, mainly because she can’t afford it and probably doesn’t see the point when she can play three matches and sometimes take home 2000 Euros! I got a lot out of it and went to the $10 000 in Dijon with renewed confidence and an understanding of how I want to play.
The tournament in France was brilliant for a number of reasons. I played some great matches, against some of the top juniors from different countries and I played in the way that I wanted too. Each match I thoroughly enjoyed. If it wasn’t for the minus 10 temperatures, forcing me to wear leggings, a skirt, 3 t-shirts and a body warmer, resulting in a tramp/bag woman kinda look, I would have probably enjoyed them even more. I was close to putting my woolly hat on, but probably a bit much. The tournament was brilliantly set up and treated us very well. I know I always moan about not having people watching, but this week was wonderful for a player who thrives off peoples support. The final had everything a big tournament would, a crowd, music playing, people cheering and some top class lines people. I lost in the final, but played well and in the only way I should play. Playing in front of such a great crowd, makes me realize why I love this sport. I just wish I could have time to enjoy it, but after a quick 1664 beer with the chef and the waiter, I rush to the station to board the Paris train, to then race across Paris on the tube for a night at the airport, before heading to Bath..."
Moz
Hall of Fame
That's very interesting Julieta - thanks. Sounds like she is a level above me!
I have looked into doing a french vets tournament but they seem to spread them over quite a long time making it an expensive trip.
I'm in contact with a french player I met in Spain and she will be able to give me more information. I think the France idea definitely has merit and I can even speak a bit of the language.
I'm really starved of strong hitting players here and I broke the ball machine the other day. Lots of footwork and serve practice though!
Do you have a link to her blog? - I'd like to check it out.
I have looked into doing a french vets tournament but they seem to spread them over quite a long time making it an expensive trip.
I'm in contact with a french player I met in Spain and she will be able to give me more information. I think the France idea definitely has merit and I can even speak a bit of the language.
I'm really starved of strong hitting players here and I broke the ball machine the other day. Lots of footwork and serve practice though!
Do you have a link to her blog? - I'd like to check it out.
J
Julieta
Guest
These aren't the vets stuff. Its kind of like open or NTRP, only the ranking system is more sophisticated and accurate. You want to get a lower ranking if possible, because you will play more and make more money. The system will adjust you anyway. In some tournaments you only play people who are the same level, in others your first match might be a later round. You can get in a lot of tennis!!
J
Julieta
Guest
I found this on the fft website. This is so much easier now with the Internet.
http://www.fft.fr/cms-fft/?id=2641
You'll probably want to get a ranking of 15...maybe lower if you can. They adjust it anyway. Definitely check with your friend though because she will have better info than I.
Moz
Hall of Fame
Julieta comes through again! Thanks. It looks like I'd be able to get a 15/1 based on the ITN conversion chart and go from there. Logistically things are a different matter.
Peter - good luck finding a partner. I'm in sunny Bournemouth for a grade 1 that week.
J
Julieta
Guest
Hope it is helpful. If I can help someone I try to do so!!!
Hey since you're into the footwork improvements this guy David Bailey is going to be in England in May. Brighton area. Here is his website. If you email them they will answer and give you all of the details.
http://www.thebaileymethod.com/index.php?module=calendar&id_m=140
Moz...Well done on your quest for world wide domination, all going in the right direction!!
I've got a cunning plan to get some practice in for the nationals if you're up for it. I've got together 3 other vets all 5.1 or above and good players for some practice sets at Sutton on the clay. They're all up for spending an afternoon up there and booking 2 courts and playing a round robin event and i thought you'd be a keen 4th player. With your recent travels as well i thought sutton would be a mere walk for you!! Let me know when you might be available if you're interested and i'll continue with the organizing.
All the best
I've got a cunning plan to get some practice in for the nationals if you're up for it. I've got together 3 other vets all 5.1 or above and good players for some practice sets at Sutton on the clay. They're all up for spending an afternoon up there and booking 2 courts and playing a round robin event and i thought you'd be a keen 4th player. With your recent travels as well i thought sutton would be a mere walk for you!! Let me know when you might be available if you're interested and i'll continue with the organizing.
All the best
Moz
Hall of Fame
That's a great idea, I'd be up for that. Maybe we can all compare zimmer frames as well!
There's not much time left as I'm off to Italy on the 13th. I could make the 7th - 9th, 11th and then the 19th - 23rd. Drop us an email and let me know.
Topaz
Legend
Hey Moz, and Sup, too...question about rankings. What makes some get put on the 'ineligible' list? Is it too few tournaments played?
I just found where my doubles partner and I are on the 3.0 doubles ineligible list from the tournament we played together last year. We won, but it was also the only tournament we played.
Just curious, thanks!
I just found where my doubles partner and I are on the 3.0 doubles ineligible list from the tournament we played together last year. We won, but it was also the only tournament we played.
Just curious, thanks!
Sup2Dresq
Hall of Fame
Read the rules.. but I believe you have to play a championship to have any win get on the list. I also think that NTRP rankings are different. Is there even a list for that?
Anyways.. thats my take.. Im hungry! Can't think.
At least in the Junior Rankings, you have to have at least 50 points to be Eligible.
Winning a tournament is 44.
Regards, Predrag
Topaz
Legend
http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/rankings/rankinglists.aspx?id=401569
And select 'ineligible' players.
The only team on the eligible list lost in the first round in the same tournament that we played. However, they also played another tournament together earlier that summer. They were both NTRP championship tournaments.
Just curious...I had no idea we were on there at all.
Topaz
Legend
Sorry, just saw this reply now...yeah, that's why I figured at least more than tournament. The eligible ranked team doesn't have the best results, but was in more than one tourny.
We'll just have to play more together this year!
Ok, my first vets tournament scheduled for the end of this month (entries closed today), has been canceled. Irritating. This means that the next tournament after that is only at the end of June, out of town and at a very expensive resort. With no way of actually measuring myself against opponents at a cheaper tournament first, I'm not too excited. I need to think about this one - I cannot just blow a whole wad of cash if I don't really know where I stand and cannot go deep.
In other news, I've swapped to a granny stick. Well, not quite since I only have one at this point, but I'm seriously thinking about it. I've demoed the SP Red 3 times now and bought one this morning. It is blowing me away. So wrong in headsize, power level and beam width, but it is so right in what it does in my hands. Go figure.
Weekend is doubles weekend - some social matches lined-up for Sat afternoon with another doubles "friendly" (with decent competition, I can see blood on the court afterwards) on Sunday morning. Sunday afternoon I'm coaching the wife again - she has swapped to my "players' sticks", I have the "granny stick". *sigh*
Topaz
Legend
Moz...excuse me for just a moment...
Julieta? You out there? If you could, could you email me at topaz720@yahoo.com? Just have some questions...if you don't mind?
Julieta? You out there? If you could, could you email me at topaz720@yahoo.com? Just have some questions...if you don't mind?
Saturday was uneventful. I need to start looking for another club, I've outgrown this one. Where I drop a game during a match it is either because I just get fed up with my crap partners or lose complete concentration and get irritated by soft floaters. It has served it's dues by getting me playing again, time to move on.
Sunday morning "bloodshed doubles" was an event. I was a bit worried about my partner's (lack of) second serve, but he turned it up a notch. Still not perfect, but it wasn't the nightmare I was expecting. And his returns made me really glad to be on his side. Now if I can only convince him to stop bashing the ball from the back of the court all the time and get in every now and again, it would be magic
Unfortunately, after winning the 1st set 6-2, my serve let me down in the second. Not really my serve, rather my elbow started hurting like crazy. Instead of thinking about placing the ball, I was just thinking "protect the elbow". So 5-2 turned into 5-6 (both of us losing serve) and then we took the tiebreak 7-0. Not a bad result, but it could and should have been better.
At least I've learned something from the experience -
1. My serve technique still has a small flaw in there somewhere, hence the elbow pain almost killing me;
2. I need to work on my returns a bit more before I'll be truely happy. (I've found Jolly's 2 serve/return drills, I'm sure my double-partner/hitting-parner will be quite happy to give those a go - makes a huge difference if you know where to start.)
So #1 and #2 is on the cards for this week. Other good news is that I've managed to diagnose a small issue in my forehand take-back, I'll work that into rallies this week as well. (One of those ah-ha moments - some immediate consistency benefits without sacrificing power.)
GAZ082
Rookie
Dude, twitter yourself! www.twitter.com
Moz
Hall of Fame
Sorry to hear the tournament was cancelled - what a pain in the arse. I used to use a granny stick - I tried everything and played best with that despite wishing I didn't! Hope it works out.
I reckon you should play the other tournament!
Great news - sounds like you're making some good progress. Are there stronger clubs near you? I had one of those ah-ha moments in my first serve the other day and I'm hitting it better than ever now.
Well done mate - have you got a link to the national tournament?
hmm friday the 28th of may moz...
cya there
Assuming I'm not still in the Grade 1 vets on finals day I'll see you on the saturday - the open draw is only over the weekend.
CAM178
Hall of Fame
Thanks, man. Here's a link to the tourney. It's a Cat II event.
http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=59465
And as to your above post. . . dude, you can't say that you had a walk of shame without giving details. 8)
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
Pisses me off that there are only two Cat II Open Nats.
Not my fault that anyone in my age bracket who is any good plays pro or college!
J
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
9 years to go until I can start layin it down in ITF Senior events.
How cool would it be to be on the Sr. Davis cup team.
J
CAM178
Hall of Fame
Ha ha. . . thusly why I rarely wear any of the t-shirts I get from these tourneys. It's one thing to get called 'Sir' at the grocery store, but I'll be damned if I'm going to start openly advertising that I am a 'senior'. It's not right that they label 35-45's as seniors. I think seniors should start at 50.
I'm looking at the logistics around the other tournament. I won't be staying at the resort, but since it is a 2 hr drive, I may just do it. The not staying-over part is fine if I go out early, but a bit of a nightmare if I go deeper.
There are at least 3 stronger clubs close-by. Not walking-distance like the current one, but at least 2 should be much, much stronger and I'll give them a call first. I fall else fails there is yet another club which I'm aware of with very strong league teams, it is around 20 mins away, which is close enough.
So I have options, which is great.
Moz
Hall of Fame
A walk of shame?!? Oh my!
Well they do say that a Gentleman never tells. To be honest my memories of the latter part of the evening are very vague. It wasn't a pleasant apparition the next morning that's for damn sure.
Is there such a thing? I know the UK sends a representative team to the world champs every year.
2 hours is about the upper limit but it's definitely doable. Sounds like you're spoilt for good clubs there - that's great news.
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
Moz
Hall of Fame
I don't mind as it's part of my official title according to the Domesday Book.
Sir Moz of Langdon Wattle.
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
That is what I am talking about. My mental coach was #1 in the world in 55s and has played on the Austria Cup team.
http://www.itftennis.com/seniors/teamcompetitions/groupa/index.asp
J
Moz
Hall of Fame
Ah yes...I'd love to get selected but I'm not good enough at the moment. Although this year there are apparently a few injuries and a guy I lost to 3 & 4 has been asked but didn't have a British passport. Maybe the bird flu will sweep through the ranks and I'll get a chance.
Either that or I win the Grade 1 in the UK this month. I'd better pray for the bird flu!
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
CAM178
Hall of Fame
Ooooooh. . . .one of those. Been there, done that. Those mornings are not fun. Best to remember the good parts of the night, and block out the end. Some say it's all the same, but I don't think those people have woken up, looked over, and said 'Crap. . .I've got to stop getting so drunk.'
lol
Ok, tennis-wise I've ****ed out my elbow. GE at it's worst. I should not have played today after starting to show signs yesterday, but I thought "how bad can it be?". I had to retire 4-2 in a friendly match. I cannot even lift a racquet at this point. Rest is needed.
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
CAM178
Hall of Fame
Ahh, thusly the age old joke of adding beer and she's Ms. Universe. I think most of us are guilty of grenade jumping every now and then.
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
Moz
Hall of Fame
Day 1 in Italy
Sounds like we're all falling apart. My GE is terrible at the moment on serves and my right knee is hurting. Just take more pills. I'm not stopping for it.
The hotel and weather here is fantastic and it's a 2 minute walk to the tournament. 10 red clay between the fairly quiet coastal road and the beach / sea. I hit on the courts today and they were fantastic. I'm hitting really well. There are a healthy number of people watching and it's quite an intimate setting.
My draw is a bit ****ty. I'm seeded 8 and have a bye (great) but if I win my first match I then play the number 1 seed. He is ranked 8 in the world in the 35's, used to be on the circuit and won a couple of grade 1's last year.
I have to focus on my first match on thursday and get through that so I get the chance to play this guy and see how I stack up. I can't wait to get cracking.... The draw is not on line unfortunately.
Sounds like we're all falling apart. My GE is terrible at the moment on serves and my right knee is hurting. Just take more pills. I'm not stopping for it.
The hotel and weather here is fantastic and it's a 2 minute walk to the tournament. 10 red clay between the fairly quiet coastal road and the beach / sea. I hit on the courts today and they were fantastic. I'm hitting really well. There are a healthy number of people watching and it's quite an intimate setting.
My draw is a bit ****ty. I'm seeded 8 and have a bye (great) but if I win my first match I then play the number 1 seed. He is ranked 8 in the world in the 35's, used to be on the circuit and won a couple of grade 1's last year.
I have to focus on my first match on thursday and get through that so I get the chance to play this guy and see how I stack up. I can't wait to get cracking.... The draw is not on line unfortunately.
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