goober
Legend
copied off ATP website
you have to get R16 in a future tournament in singles. For doubles point must get to SF in futures
4.5jumping to open in pursuit of 1glorious atp point
- Thread starter yonexpurestorm
- Start date
copied off ATP website
you have to get R16 in a future tournament in singles. For doubles point must get to SF in futures
goran_ace
Hall of Fame
yes I know. I was referring to Fedace's mention of playing through open qualifying for the US Open. win sectional and then the national playoff to get a WC into the qualies of the Open. under the old system you'd get 1 point if you lost in the first round of qualies. now it appears you have to win 3 rounds of qualies to get 25 points and a loss in the qualies doesn't get you anything.
The wisdom of those who never accomplished anything in life.
I say...let the boy dream!
Tennisguy777
Professional
You can do it nothing is impossible, it but you will need to pay a heavy price!Waking up at 5 am to play tennis and playing tennis for 3-4 hrs a day you can do it.
practice 5-7 days a week about 21 hrs a week.
you'll need to practice / improve every aspect of your game.
volley, serve, forehand, backhand, slice, also need to improve your power and reaction time. Speed you usually can't teach it or acquire it, it's natural.
I tried a similar experiment in late 2008 I went from a very strong 3.0 / 3.5 to a good 4.5 player in less than 2 months but unfortunately the toll it took on my body was too much and I stopped, also moving away didn't help either. I still play at the 4.0 - 4.5 level but now use a 2 hander and if I had the same opportunity as before I think I could reach my goal of being a decent 5.5 with my 2 hander.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQX77c6-4pQ
All of my tennis videos on the tube were taken within a matter of days to 6 weeks and you can definitely see an improvement so you can improve just will take time.
Also coaching is a must as my biggest problem was taming my one handed backhand which plagued me for many years and stagnated my progress.
I now play off and on in clay and recently forced a 3rd set against a former 6.0 who now coaches, who was ranked top 10 in his state about 20 years back. It's tough but with hard work and a little luck 1 point should be no problem.
practice 5-7 days a week about 21 hrs a week.
you'll need to practice / improve every aspect of your game.
volley, serve, forehand, backhand, slice, also need to improve your power and reaction time. Speed you usually can't teach it or acquire it, it's natural.
I tried a similar experiment in late 2008 I went from a very strong 3.0 / 3.5 to a good 4.5 player in less than 2 months but unfortunately the toll it took on my body was too much and I stopped, also moving away didn't help either. I still play at the 4.0 - 4.5 level but now use a 2 hander and if I had the same opportunity as before I think I could reach my goal of being a decent 5.5 with my 2 hander.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQX77c6-4pQ
All of my tennis videos on the tube were taken within a matter of days to 6 weeks and you can definitely see an improvement so you can improve just will take time.
Also coaching is a must as my biggest problem was taming my one handed backhand which plagued me for many years and stagnated my progress.
I now play off and on in clay and recently forced a 3rd set against a former 6.0 who now coaches, who was ranked top 10 in his state about 20 years back. It's tough but with hard work and a little luck 1 point should be no problem.
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goober
Legend
No offense but your example is what ends up happening to most people who try this experiment. After 3 years you are at a 4.0-4.5 level. You are even further away from an ATP point than the OP. What in your experience makes you think that getting an ATP is no problem? If he became a strong 5.0 that would be pretty damn good. But a strong 5.0 is nowhere close to getting ATP point.
burosky
Professional
Is the OP asking for any kind of help or is the OP merely attempting to make his goal known with hopes that it would help the OP achieve it by "having it on paper"? I think it is the latter. Then again if you read stuff into it, the post could easily be misconstrued as a solicitation for encouragement or advise which would be tough to get from forums specially with such a lofty goal.
To the OP, go for it if you want to. Don't let anyone derail your plans. There are a lot of people with regrets about what might have been. Most of the time the regrets come from not trying or allowing other people to dissuade them from their dream. You will never know if you could have gotten an ATP if you don't try. If you end up not getting a point at least you can say you tried. Then you will have no regrets nor will you wonder if you could have done it.
To the OP, go for it if you want to. Don't let anyone derail your plans. There are a lot of people with regrets about what might have been. Most of the time the regrets come from not trying or allowing other people to dissuade them from their dream. You will never know if you could have gotten an ATP if you don't try. If you end up not getting a point at least you can say you tried. Then you will have no regrets nor will you wonder if you could have done it.
GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
Best bet is to play a futures in Irag, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, etc. Be sure to say that you are Canadian.
Devilito
Legend
Photoshop
Professional
No you didn't. Superman couldn't go from 3.0 to 4.5 in 2 months. It's impossible.
It'll take more than "a little luck." I agree with Granitechief above me - best bet is to play tournaments in parts of the world where there isn't much tennis interest. 1 point in USA/Europe/South America? forget about it.
a10best
Legend
That is a tough task but mind over matter. In this case, you'll need speed, mental toughness, and some newly acquired talents in a short time. Take your talents to the Open level. I Hope it works.
I played 5.0 tournies and got to 2nd round in some but never further. Then I decided why not play an open tourney since I wante dto up my level. I played against Cal state tennis team players and did well or won. My Open opponent was a division 1 top 2 player from UCLA. I left the court losing 0 & 1. Although I was younger, it will take a lot more practice, match experience and acquired skill sets.
It would inspire many if you do well. Progress is all you want to see. Best of Luck.
I played 5.0 tournies and got to 2nd round in some but never further. Then I decided why not play an open tourney since I wante dto up my level. I played against Cal state tennis team players and did well or won. My Open opponent was a division 1 top 2 player from UCLA. I left the court losing 0 & 1. Although I was younger, it will take a lot more practice, match experience and acquired skill sets.
It would inspire many if you do well. Progress is all you want to see. Best of Luck.
When I was 11, I was the champion at my club. I told everyone I wanted to be a pro tennis player someday, and people thought I had the talent to do it. I went to tennis camp, played pretty well, and entered my first real tournament. Crushed my first round opponent, then played a 12 year old who was ranked 2 or 3 in the state.
It was like he was playing a different game. His shots had so much depth and pace, I couldn't do anything. I managed one game. I was crushed, but it was then I realized the level of talent in tennis.
I think, when you enter your first real open tournament, you'll have a similar experience by the 2nd or 3rd round. You just have no idea of the level of talent out there.
But don't let that stop you. Go out and experience it and report back.
It was like he was playing a different game. His shots had so much depth and pace, I couldn't do anything. I managed one game. I was crushed, but it was then I realized the level of talent in tennis.
I think, when you enter your first real open tournament, you'll have a similar experience by the 2nd or 3rd round. You just have no idea of the level of talent out there.
But don't let that stop you. Go out and experience it and report back.
spacediver
Hall of Fame
I know a couple players who have had a ranking high of between 1000 and 1500 in ATP singles. Yet on their ATP profiles, there is no mention of any ATP points won at all. How is this possible? I also noticed there was a capital T next to the points. For example, look at Milos Raonic's profile:
http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Milos-Raonic.aspx?t=rh
Scroll down to March 10th 2008, and see the T there?
http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Milos-Raonic.aspx?t=rh
Scroll down to March 10th 2008, and see the T there?
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GRANITECHIEF
Hall of Fame
Click on the tab that says "Playing Activity" and it will show all matches in the specified year along with points and $$.
spacediver
Hall of Fame
Hard to make sense of the info - look here:
http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Mo/J/Jibran-Mohammadi.aspx?t=pa&y=2010&m=s&e=0#
Did he earn 1 ATP point here?
Also, what does the T mean next to the rankings? (see my previous post)
goober
Legend
yes he got 1 point in the match where he got to R16, the other match he didn't
I am pretty sure the T stands for tied. In the lower end of rankings many people will have the exact same number of points because they have so few. So multiple people will have the same ranking.
spacediver
Hall of Fame
awesome - thanks for explanation
yonexpurestorm
Rookie
benny, looks like the draws are a little small, but ima play the open cause the drive is about 45 mins and actually dont really wanna play on the 4th. i dunno your skill level, but if you wanna get more play for your money id go with 4.5, but open if you want more of a challenge. maybe ill see u at the tourn. ill be the guy with the red wilson bag wearing my red hat and using pst gt.
i appreciate all the posters with positive remarks. im not sure why i started the thread. i think i wanted to set some goals and it helps to have ppl pushing you or at least watching to keep me on track. i know i always play better when theres ppl watching. i dunno why, but i like it when my opponent brings ppl to watch, it makes me play better for some reason. i think i enjoy beating someone while his friends are rooting against me. so i kind of enjoy the posters who say its impossible. makes me really wanna prove ppl wrong.
i just signed up for the first tourn on the list and it starts next weekend. so for anyone that is interested in my progress we shall see how well i start off my summer. ill post the draws when they come out.
i appreciate all the posters with positive remarks. im not sure why i started the thread. i think i wanted to set some goals and it helps to have ppl pushing you or at least watching to keep me on track. i know i always play better when theres ppl watching. i dunno why, but i like it when my opponent brings ppl to watch, it makes me play better for some reason. i think i enjoy beating someone while his friends are rooting against me. so i kind of enjoy the posters who say its impossible. makes me really wanna prove ppl wrong.
i just signed up for the first tourn on the list and it starts next weekend. so for anyone that is interested in my progress we shall see how well i start off my summer. ill post the draws when they come out.
accidental
Hall of Fame
Good luck OP.
Everyone saying he will fail... so what? He's 26 and if he's going to do this he should do it sooner rather than later. He has a much better chance at his age than the 41 year old guy from the other thread, and who knows, maybe by the time he hits 30 he will have improved enough to earn that elusive ATP point. And if he fails, who cares. At least if he gives it a shot he will always have the satisfaction of knowing that he chased that dream and that it just wasnt meant to be instead of wishing 10 years from now that he at least gave it a go.
Anyway, as someone who has played futures and chased a ranking myself, heres a few points.
In my experience, theres only 2 ways for you to compete with players who are better than you. You either have to be the fastest/most consistent player out there and run all day like a jack rabbit, or you need to be able to bomb your serve all day and hold game after game after game. Being able to do both is ideal obviously. Its all well and good to have a strong forehand, but any decent player is not going to let you use it. Theres no getting around a player who has an enormous serve or who is a superior athlete though.
just my 2 cents
Everyone saying he will fail... so what? He's 26 and if he's going to do this he should do it sooner rather than later. He has a much better chance at his age than the 41 year old guy from the other thread, and who knows, maybe by the time he hits 30 he will have improved enough to earn that elusive ATP point. And if he fails, who cares. At least if he gives it a shot he will always have the satisfaction of knowing that he chased that dream and that it just wasnt meant to be instead of wishing 10 years from now that he at least gave it a go.
Anyway, as someone who has played futures and chased a ranking myself, heres a few points.
In my experience, theres only 2 ways for you to compete with players who are better than you. You either have to be the fastest/most consistent player out there and run all day like a jack rabbit, or you need to be able to bomb your serve all day and hold game after game after game. Being able to do both is ideal obviously. Its all well and good to have a strong forehand, but any decent player is not going to let you use it. Theres no getting around a player who has an enormous serve or who is a superior athlete though.
just my 2 cents
This is a great point...I've worked hard on both of those areas and it really has improved my overall game. Getting into slugging matches with these players is really hard, so you have to get a lot of free points on your serve, and your fitness has to be off the charts. Work hard and report back!
Well said!
...don't forget the return OP! At the futures level if you have a good return you'll irritate your opponent.
You'll find that most of these guys serve big, but can't place well. The wide serve isn't very wide and up the "T" is more like two feet in and the second serve land in the middle of the box. But that's the pre-qualies. If you find your way into the main draw they're obvioulsy going to be better than that.
One more thing. Work on your transition to net if you can. Most guys at the futures don't pass well...compared to ATP. It's as if they enjoy the act of pretending to hit passing shots.
Work your ass off! Most futures players are lazy. They enjoy the life style you know. They don't do much training at that level and even the little things like scouting the oppostion is a big deal to them. It's funny.
Most of all you have to belive you can do it. It helps to be a little crazy.
Baxter
Professional
This guy http://en.origin.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Sh/L/Luke-Shields.aspx?t=mr is exactly the OP's age and his quest is over. I play doubles with his dad. Luke was featured in the film "Unstrung" with Sam Querrey and Donald Young. His quest started when he was a little kid. I had the honor of hitting with him when he was 11. I can't read these things but it looks to me like he earned exactly one point. His brother Clancy didn't even get that one point. I know their stories very well, and that one point cost a fortune in money and effort. I hate to say it, but being so close to something like your quest, with guys in their prime, I think it's impossible. "Unstrung" is on streaming Netflix if you want a sober awakening.
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But Baxter it is possible. I know guys that have done it. I guy I hit with earned five points. He's not that good. It all depends. You can get lucky with the draw and get a point and say your a pro and retire
Everyone is different. What doesn't work for one may work for another. I'm not saying you don't know this, but it's true, some people have more raw athletic talent than the guy who's played his whole life with a bad attitude.
You do get pts for losing in qualies. For the slams I think you get 6 pts for getting to the 2nd rd of qualies, and maybe 10-12 for the 2nd rd of qualies.
Really? So potentially you get into a qualie and your opponent doesn't show, and you get a point? Sounds too easy.
What's the official word? I thought you had to win a round in a main draw of a futures to get a point.
yonexpurestorm
Rookie
You have to win one round and make it to the round of 16 in a futures event to get on point in singles.
Both? So if you win a round of 64 in a main draw futures event, you don't get a point?
I was told by a guy at the Chicco event who was in the Chicco event that you win a match, you get a point. So, yeah, if you make it to r16 you have a point I guess.
So jdubbs there you have it, all you have to do is get to the main draw and then poison your opponent and you have your point
yonexpurestorm
Rookie
if it has a round of 64 then you will need to win 2 rounds. the only way, from what i understand is you have to be in the round of 16. no matter how big the main draw is.
precision2b
Semi-Pro
LOL!!! Works for me...:lol::lol::lol:So jdubbs there you have it, all you have to do is get to the main draw and then poison your opponent and you have your point
I was told by a guy at the Chicco event who was in the Chicco event that you win a match, you get a point. So, yeah, if you make it to r16 you have a point I guess.
So jdubbs there you have it, all you have to do is get to the main draw and then poison your opponent and you have your point
Hah! Not for me, the sun has set on those dreams long ago for me. I'm thinking of the OP going from 4.5 to pro, and how steep the climb is.
You can actually just sign up on the itf website for an "ipin" which will allow you direct entry to any futures qualifier. You don't have to go through this prequal stuff
fleabitten
Semi-Pro
True that. Just enjoy the process and see where it takes you.
They got rid of 64 draws at the Futures level back when they got rid of Satellites.
You do get pts for winning rds in the qualies of tour level events. I was referring to the post about winning the US Open pre qualies, then winning a rd in the qualifying event.
You do NOT get pts for winning rds in Futures qualies or Challenger qualies.
Tennisguy777
Professional
Oh yes, I did but that's not even the point. To begin I was more a good 3.5 at worst. I was practicing 20 hrs a week so I know what I am talking about. In fact after words I was beating plenty of guys who were playing USTA 4.0 league tennis with me the very same teams that got bumped up to 4.5 the very next year.
Anyways my jest into the conversation was to more or less encourage the guy to try, giving him hope. I assume if he practiced as much as I did, however short lived it was, he should come out a much better player physically and mentally.
Go for it man never know your opponent might get sick, injured not even show up so you always have a fighting chance to begin with, however slim it might be.
Worst that can happen is you might get some donuts 6-0 6-0 nothing more then afterwards go to Dunkin' Donuts, reflect and it laugh it off. That's what I used to do in the States, Boston Creme used to do the trick for me. Guys stop taking life and tennis so seriously. Hey you could get a game or 2 if you serve well or the guy has an ego and tries to show off on you and DFs.
Well, main thing is the practice regimen if you practice you might have a chance if you don't then no shot whatsoever. Another thing is gauge your progress as you practice to see where you stand with some 5.5 or 6.0 players in your area hey might have to pay them to play with at first lol.
I agree with you about parts of the world where there is no tennis interest but Europe, South America are you kidding? There are a lot of players in south america and also the surface is clay. Europe too is mostly clay and grass and lot of good french and spanish players to contend with . From my perspective the Middle East is his best bet and then he'd have to deal with the heat too.
yonexpurestorm
Rookie
http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/Draws/EventDraw.aspx?T=100152&E=1
the draw for my first tourn was posted this morning. looks like i didnt get the toughest draw. im going to put a fresh set of polystar energy on my racquet 2nite and practice some serves with my friend. then friday take it easy and rest the arm. hopefully i will be on my A game this weekend.
the draw for my first tourn was posted this morning. looks like i didnt get the toughest draw. im going to put a fresh set of polystar energy on my racquet 2nite and practice some serves with my friend. then friday take it easy and rest the arm. hopefully i will be on my A game this weekend.
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Good luck! Your link didn't work, but I looked it up. Looks like your first opponent was a strong juniors player, but hasn't fared as well playing Open tournaments. I played someone similar in my last tournament and he really smoked me, so don't take him lightly.
Good luck! Tournaments are fun.
Good luck! Tournaments are fun.
I could not believe the high level of tennis talent that shows up at a money tournament that don't pay enough to cover the gas costs to get there. I talked to one player who played futures/had ATP points who stopped playing tournaments because he could make so much more coaching. It makes you humble to see the 6.0+ players.
yonexpurestorm
Rookie
looks like he doesnt have any record. ive never seen him play either. hes probably a club playerso he could be really good or bad. and if you win looks like your next match wont be super hard either. i was looking at your doubles draw and you dont have a partner. you gonna take those two guys yourself. lol.
OP, why attempt the elusive ATP point in the US, it will be near impossible as you will be facing very tough opposition even in the 1st round of qualies - juniors with more or less bright future, older guys that have a more or less bright past...
Your best bet is to go to Africa or Asia, something like Zimbabwe F1 or Tajikistan F3 are a great hunting ground for reaching 1 ATP point just for the sake of it. I plan on doing it myself in the future. BTW it's also a great travel opportunity!
Your best bet is to go to Africa or Asia, something like Zimbabwe F1 or Tajikistan F3 are a great hunting ground for reaching 1 ATP point just for the sake of it. I plan on doing it myself in the future. BTW it's also a great travel opportunity!
yonexpurestorm
Rookie
so i just finished my match in the first tournament. sad to say i wasnt able to pull out the win. i think it was the longest match i have ever played in a tourn. the final score was 5-7 7-5 4-6. it was 90 degrees in LA today and it was soooo hot. not one ounce of shade on the court. we got on the court at 2:30 and i checked the time right when i sat down after the last point. it was 5:12. two other matches started and ended while we were playing on the court next us, and a third was just starting to warm up at the end. this match really pushed my stamina to the limit. my opponent was an 18 yr old kid so he seemed a little fresher than me in the last few games.
i really had my chances in this match. in the first set i was up 3-0, he fought back and made it 5-5. he was serving at 5-5 and i had him luv 40. i broke down and let him hold serve and then he broke me for the first set. the second was back and forth, but i pulled it out. the third he broke me my first two serves and it was 1-3. then i found some extra juice in the battery and made it 4.-3. he then made it 4-5 and it was his serve. again i had him at 40-luv with triple break point. once again i broke down and he pulled out the game and the win. i couldnt believe it, but i was honestly happy to be out of the sun. the 45 min ride home was pretty crappy. i hate losing and am really hard on myself.
i know i could have won the match. the kid was good and consistent, but didnt have much of a weapon. my net game just let me down today. i kept leaving shots up and gave him easier passing shots than they should have been. my backhand drop shot just didnt work today. kept floating it up and hed put it away for easy points. overall it was a very fun match, and i realize i still need a good amount of work on the high backhand. he kept hitting loopy topspin to my bh and i couldnt keep it deep. now all i can do is look forward to my next tourn starting wed. ill be doing the open again. i am interested to see how the kid finishes in the tourn. once i lose i always root for the person that beat me so at least i can say i lost to the winner.
and to all the doubters who made many posts about how my goal is impossible, i guess this is just more ammo for you. but all i can do is continue and keep gettting better. hopefully my next update will contain better results.
i really had my chances in this match. in the first set i was up 3-0, he fought back and made it 5-5. he was serving at 5-5 and i had him luv 40. i broke down and let him hold serve and then he broke me for the first set. the second was back and forth, but i pulled it out. the third he broke me my first two serves and it was 1-3. then i found some extra juice in the battery and made it 4.-3. he then made it 4-5 and it was his serve. again i had him at 40-luv with triple break point. once again i broke down and he pulled out the game and the win. i couldnt believe it, but i was honestly happy to be out of the sun. the 45 min ride home was pretty crappy. i hate losing and am really hard on myself.
i know i could have won the match. the kid was good and consistent, but didnt have much of a weapon. my net game just let me down today. i kept leaving shots up and gave him easier passing shots than they should have been. my backhand drop shot just didnt work today. kept floating it up and hed put it away for easy points. overall it was a very fun match, and i realize i still need a good amount of work on the high backhand. he kept hitting loopy topspin to my bh and i couldnt keep it deep. now all i can do is look forward to my next tourn starting wed. ill be doing the open again. i am interested to see how the kid finishes in the tourn. once i lose i always root for the person that beat me so at least i can say i lost to the winner.
and to all the doubters who made many posts about how my goal is impossible, i guess this is just more ammo for you. but all i can do is continue and keep gettting better. hopefully my next update will contain better results.
goober
Legend
Always respect your opponent.
I actually thought this was going to be an even match after looking at your record and his record. He was getting demolished in open events but had an decent juniors record and was a 2 star recruit a year ago, so I didn't see him being worse than a 4.5.
ORLY?
3-5 sets 5 times a week is what - 15-20 hrs of tennis a week (not including travel) on top of fulltime work. He's said his girlfriend is already not impressed, and I'm not surprised.
I foresee singledom if the player continues along this path.
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