goober
Legend
No, it is USTA open tournament without money prizes. The top seeds look like they are in the 5.0-5.5 range.
4.5jumping to open in pursuit of 1glorious atp point
- Thread starter yonexpurestorm
- Start date
No, it is USTA open tournament without money prizes. The top seeds look like they are in the 5.0-5.5 range.
good effort, man. looks like you gave it all you got, which is the best u can ask for.
Im playing an open tournament with a few 6.0 (US DI college) and one 7.0 player (atp ranked 400ish) in the draw in a couple of weeks. last time I played I got beat 1-6 5-7 by an ex DII player and the year before just won 1 game against a D1 #1. still good experiences, and always a nice experience seeing how well these guys hit first-hand. if you can handle the loss and taking some flak from the board, then its all good
yonexpurestorm
Rookie
the draw for the next tournament is posted.
http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/Draws/EventDraw.aspx?T=100158&E=1
at least i didnt draw a seeded player for the first round. i think i have seen my opponent play before, but i am not sure. hopefully i can pull out the win tomorow and make it to the next round.
also, i checked the results from the last tournament that i played last weekend. the kid i lost to ended up winning his next two matches, but lost in the semis. so i still have a lot of work to do, but at least i am able to somewhat compete. i know with more good practice on my backhand and stamina ill be making it deeper in these tournaments.
http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/Draws/EventDraw.aspx?T=100158&E=1
at least i didnt draw a seeded player for the first round. i think i have seen my opponent play before, but i am not sure. hopefully i can pull out the win tomorow and make it to the next round.
also, i checked the results from the last tournament that i played last weekend. the kid i lost to ended up winning his next two matches, but lost in the semis. so i still have a lot of work to do, but at least i am able to somewhat compete. i know with more good practice on my backhand and stamina ill be making it deeper in these tournaments.
I'm curious, what's your approach to these matches. I mean, are you confident with your game? If so, are you able to play your game against these type players?
If your not confident with your shots do you go into more of a pushing, 'just get it in and deep' kind of mode? I'd like to know.
If your not confident with your shots do you go into more of a pushing, 'just get it in and deep' kind of mode? I'd like to know.
FearOfTheDark
Rookie
What's your name, what name am I looking for in the draws lol?
yonexpurestorm
Rookie
its kind of both with me. i have a lot of confidence in my entire game except my backhand. whenever i play my backhand im usually hitting a deep low slice trying to work the point back to my forehand. ussually once i get a good forehand i can controll the point. i have been trying to go for more backhands, but i always revert to playing safe when i need the points. with my forehand i feel i can always hit hard and dont need to worry as much. confidence plays a huge factor in tennis. i am noticing in these open tournaments for the first 1 or 2 games i have this like butterfly feeling in my stomach and it makes me play a little timid. but i can ussually shake this off and just focus on getting the win. ive only played a few open tourns so far, but i never felt like i have been just blown off the court. i know if i can hit backhands not so defensively i will improve a lot. tonight im am going to try more aggressive bh's and see how that goes.
jamison hart
Confidence is very much a factor unless your flowing with talent or your huge and average 90mph groundies.
I was at the Chicco futures a few weeks ago and I was a little surprised to see so many guys pushing. They were just giding the ball. The guy that would take the shot would usually lose. I think the one thing that stood out was their movement. Compared to the average top 200 player they didn't move very well. Learn to hit behind them and you'll have control of the point. I don't remember seeing one guy able to adjust well having to stop and change direction. Another thing, hardly anyone ventured to the net. A lot of these can't pass at all, work on your transition game!!!!!! Just some hints.
You should play as many practice matches as you can playing agressive mixed in with safety. Learn to be agressive, to hit winners learn to set things up. Sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many guys don't do this stuff. Or they just suck at it. Good luck, and keep us updated.
I was at the Chicco futures a few weeks ago and I was a little surprised to see so many guys pushing. They were just giding the ball. The guy that would take the shot would usually lose. I think the one thing that stood out was their movement. Compared to the average top 200 player they didn't move very well. Learn to hit behind them and you'll have control of the point. I don't remember seeing one guy able to adjust well having to stop and change direction. Another thing, hardly anyone ventured to the net. A lot of these can't pass at all, work on your transition game!!!!!! Just some hints.
You should play as many practice matches as you can playing agressive mixed in with safety. Learn to be agressive, to hit winners learn to set things up. Sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many guys don't do this stuff. Or they just suck at it. Good luck, and keep us updated.
trevitennis
New User
Listen, your doing the right thing. Stay positive and stay on course. You have a lot of good advice here and some bad, but I think people who tell you that you cant do it, only make you stronger willed to do it. Take me for example. I started playing in 2005 at the level of 3.5 in Texas. Ended up #1 in singles and doubles the next yr. of 2006. Go ahead, look it up. Then got moved to 4.0 then 4.5...This is my first year playing at the Open level the whole yr. and am #22 ytd and #32 rolling 12. Here's the kicker...I was told I would never be anything more than a 4.0...I have played young ones, old ones, faster, ones on and on. When I was told I could'nt, I did. Plus, I am 44 years old, and a former Marine. A little secret till now that a lot of my opponents didnt know. Dont judge a book by it's cover. Judge it by it's heart. Keep playing open and it will come, your goal should be if you can win one game...you can win a set...if you win a set....you can win a match. Simple, and Good Luck!
Ben Hadd
Semi-Pro
Good stuff Hooo. Play your best. Be on form, and play to your strengths. If you can watch tapes and see your opponents weakness, do eet!
Think smart, tennis is chess.yonexpurestorm
Rookie
well, i lost. final score was 4-6 2-6. i am very dissapointed in how i played. the first set we were going back and forth on serves. it was my serve at 4-5 and i let him break me and this gave him first to serve in the second set. he then broke me at 1-2 to make it 1-3 and i lost any momentum i had. i could not return the serve and i had soooo many unforced errors on my forehand. i just wasnt feeling confident in my game.
i think the major thing that killed me this match was that he was left handed. i suck against lefties. i ussually can get a way with my slice bh because i slice cross court. but against a lefty it sets them up for an easy fh. this guy had a good fh and i just could not controll my down the line slice. my serve was really good, but i didnt get one break on the guy. every time he had serve on the add court i could not return the serve with a decent shot. i had my chances to break though, but just couldnt pull it out.
all in all its another tough loss. after the match i was thinking how bad i played and how tough the road ahead is. but practice will make me better and i am still determined to improve. my next tourn is not scheduled untill the end of the month,l but i have 4 more ultimate tennis matches to play. i plan on making the playoffs and winning. i play in the 5.5 and my goal was to win and move to the 6.0. ill b going on vacation in about a week so hopefully i can come back and put some W's in the win column in the michael change tennis classic.
i think the major thing that killed me this match was that he was left handed. i suck against lefties. i ussually can get a way with my slice bh because i slice cross court. but against a lefty it sets them up for an easy fh. this guy had a good fh and i just could not controll my down the line slice. my serve was really good, but i didnt get one break on the guy. every time he had serve on the add court i could not return the serve with a decent shot. i had my chances to break though, but just couldnt pull it out.
all in all its another tough loss. after the match i was thinking how bad i played and how tough the road ahead is. but practice will make me better and i am still determined to improve. my next tourn is not scheduled untill the end of the month,l but i have 4 more ultimate tennis matches to play. i plan on making the playoffs and winning. i play in the 5.5 and my goal was to win and move to the 6.0. ill b going on vacation in about a week so hopefully i can come back and put some W's in the win column in the michael change tennis classic.
Fugazi
Professional
Having trouble against lefties? I guess you're GOAT material then
Ok, maybe you don't want to here this, but I'm going to say it. Don't start letting that thought process "I suck against..." creep into your psyche. It's can be like cancer. The ball weather spinning left right upsided down is still just a tennis ball. You can't say "I suck against lefties..." If you goint to beat players who are better than you have to eliminate that whole style of thinking...even if it's the truth, and I'm sure it is.
I'm not saying your guilty of this, I'm just reminding you, don't focus so much on winning these matches at this very moment. Give it some time, it's fine to lose, but to play bad from beginning to end is not ok. When I'm off I will myself to hit one shot well and I build from there. I never want' to walk away from a match saying I played bad from first ball to last.
I saw some guy playing a former NCAA champ today (Devin Britton?) He was getting killed. Is was a joke. I was thinking how did this get into this event? He was out matched, but he didn't even try, he didn't believe, he got mad for one second, hit one good shot, Britton pushed it back behind him and the guy missed and then tanked. He didn't even get the chance to learn anything. It's ok to lose, but you have walk away with something.
I agree with this. You have to come away from a loss understanding where you fell short and really work on that weakness. For me, it was my fitness, so I got myself in much better shape. Then I realized my forehand wasn't penetrating deep enough, so I took a lesson and worked on my shoulder turn.
I'm a much better player than I was, but the level of play at Open tourneys is so high, it's hard to understand until you get there and play them.
This will all be good experience.
I'm a much better player than I was, but the level of play at Open tourneys is so high, it's hard to understand until you get there and play them.
This will all be good experience.
I know who this poster is. This is so misleading. I don't want to dog him too much but.......You find all kind of players in Open tournaments. This poster had a losing tournament record in 4.5 and decided to start playing Open. He was very smart though b/c you will actually find worse players in Open than you will at 4.5. I know that sounds crazy but its actually very true. The worst 4.5 tournament players are much better than the worst Open tournament players.
As to the OP, the guy you lost to recently got beaten by TT's own Andy Gerst 60,60. Andy went to Asia to get his ATP point. So when you are ready to be competitive with Andy, then you are ready to try for your glorious ATP point :-|
Photoshop
Professional
First off I want to applaud you for having a clear goal and working hard to achieve it. As a fellow 4.5 player (and same age) I too know how tough the road ahead is... there are just so many better players out there and they are all working hard as well. It can be discouraging when you lose badly, but practice will make you better and it will pay off in the long run. It may not be the 1 ATP point you're after, but you'll be better than a whole lot of people in the world.
What are these numbers 5.5, 6.0? Anyway looking at the Lakewood draw you've probably realized by now how good you need to be in order to get 1 point. The guy you lost to, got destroyed in the next round by someone who got destroyed again in the following round. and that guy lost in the final. And the winner of this tourney lost 1 and 2 to a pro who has 1 ATP point.
OP is playing in the Ultimate Tennis flex league and has a 5.5 rating hoping to do well enough to bump up to 6.0 rating.
I had looked into Ultimate Tennis last year and if I remember correctly, in the case of self rating they will have you play a 1st "test" match to make sure you are at the level you say you are.
So my guess is OP is a stronger than he lets on in the thread title!
yonexpurestorm
Rookie
lol i like the sound of that jdubbs.
these past two losses were dissapointing. especially the latest loss. i felt like i had taken two steps backwards. i played 3 matches this weekend and my main focus was to work on my backhand. i wasnt trying to win i was only trying to rally my backhand and not revert to my slice. i did lose 2 matches, but was able to win a match against i guy i have never beatn. my backhand was actually feeling pretty consistent. after losing in lakewood and seing that guy lose and then the guy who beat him lose the hill looked like it got a lot steaper. but the way i figure it, is if i still enjoy playing i will always try and get better.
if i lose first round in all of my next 4 tourns i will probably drop back down to 4.5 because i will need to get tournament match experience and if i keep losing first round i wont get enough. but for now, getting a win at open level is the first step.
these past two losses were dissapointing. especially the latest loss. i felt like i had taken two steps backwards. i played 3 matches this weekend and my main focus was to work on my backhand. i wasnt trying to win i was only trying to rally my backhand and not revert to my slice. i did lose 2 matches, but was able to win a match against i guy i have never beatn. my backhand was actually feeling pretty consistent. after losing in lakewood and seing that guy lose and then the guy who beat him lose the hill looked like it got a lot steaper. but the way i figure it, is if i still enjoy playing i will always try and get better.
if i lose first round in all of my next 4 tourns i will probably drop back down to 4.5 because i will need to get tournament match experience and if i keep losing first round i wont get enough. but for now, getting a win at open level is the first step.
Why is this important? It probably just means you played another person "playing up". It is not a realization that a person is improving.
4.0 players will win open matches if they play a few tournaments. Just a matter of getting the right draw.
Timbo's hopeless slice
Hall of Fame
edit
When is your next tournament?
and good luck!
When is your next tournament?
and good luck!
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yonexpurestorm
Rookie
http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/Draws/EventDraw.aspx?T=100152&E=1
looks like he lost in the first round 6-1 6-1. and i think he lost his doubles match too, but i could be wrong.
looks like he lost in the first round 6-1 6-1. and i think he lost his doubles match too, but i could be wrong.
Timbo's hopeless slice
Hall of Fame
yea, i looked, hence the edit. answer the question!
yonexpurestorm
Rookie
my next tourn is scheduled for the end of july. i havent decided if im going to play in the michael change classic or the one in cerritos. ill either do the one with the larger draw or both.
yonexpurestorm
Rookie
just a quick update. i signed up for the michael change classic. its actually one of the bigger draws ive seen, 49 players. they havent posted the draws yet, but the 1 seed is the 9 signed ranked player in the so cal open rankings. he actually beat andy gerst recently.
hopefully i dont draw one of these top seeds in the first or second round. i would like to have a chance to win a few rounds in this tournament. ive been practicing a lot and actually took a lesson while i was on vacation. i was in mexico and the lesson was only 25 bux so i said what the heck. the pro seemed like he knew what he was talking about and we only worked on my backhand. i realized i need to flatten the ball out more, relax and not try and crush the ball. i need to focus on getting it in.
anyways, i have my league match tomorow, and my first ultimate tennis playoff match during the week, and then the tournament next weekend. ill update my match results when i get them. oh ya, and i am going to try and get some video of the match. im going to see if my gf will take some video, but i only have my htc evo to film on so it wont be the best video. but ill post some of the good points.
hopefully i dont draw one of these top seeds in the first or second round. i would like to have a chance to win a few rounds in this tournament. ive been practicing a lot and actually took a lesson while i was on vacation. i was in mexico and the lesson was only 25 bux so i said what the heck. the pro seemed like he knew what he was talking about and we only worked on my backhand. i realized i need to flatten the ball out more, relax and not try and crush the ball. i need to focus on getting it in.
anyways, i have my league match tomorow, and my first ultimate tennis playoff match during the week, and then the tournament next weekend. ill update my match results when i get them. oh ya, and i am going to try and get some video of the match. im going to see if my gf will take some video, but i only have my htc evo to film on so it wont be the best video. but ill post some of the good points.
I would think about progressing a little more linearly, to gain confidence. Maybe play 4.5 or 5.0 tournaments and win a couple to really get your confidence up. Then step up to Open tourneys.
Combine this with a massive fitness regimen and you'll eventually see better results at the open level.
Losing consistently in the 1st or 2nd round of Open tournaments is going to be frustrating and discouraging. But that's the most likely scenario from what I'm seeing here.
Combine this with a massive fitness regimen and you'll eventually see better results at the open level.
Losing consistently in the 1st or 2nd round of Open tournaments is going to be frustrating and discouraging. But that's the most likely scenario from what I'm seeing here.
yonexpurestorm
Rookie
i hear what your saying jdubbs. the problem is there is hardly a good draw for 5.0 tourns and theyre about the same as 4.5. i am gonna play the 4.5 huntington beach tournament this year because i would like to win my local tournament. i have my ultimate tennis playoff match tonight which i really need to win to be able to move up to the 6.0 in that league, which has good competition.
on another note, the draws are posted for the michael change classic
http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/Draws/EventDraw.aspx?T=108415&E=1
at least i didnt draw a seeded player the first or second round. but third round i could play the number one who beat andy gerst about a month ago.
also, i just signed up for the laguna niguel futures qualifier which start next week.
ill update once my first matches are over.
on another note, the draws are posted for the michael change classic
http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/Draws/EventDraw.aspx?T=108415&E=1
at least i didnt draw a seeded player the first or second round. but third round i could play the number one who beat andy gerst about a month ago.
also, i just signed up for the laguna niguel futures qualifier which start next week.
ill update once my first matches are over.
OTMPut
Hall of Fame
incredible that we have so many people with only "realistic goals". whats the point of life?!
http://rosstraining.com/blog/index.php?s=hoyt&sbutt=Go
http://rosstraining.com/blog/index.php?s=hoyt&sbutt=Go
I love the story from the link, but merely competing is not the OP's goal, it's winning. Imagine if the father-son team above had not only to compete, but win or place in the top 5.
Goals should be aspirational, but realistic. If I was posting on a basketball board about how I wanted to be a starting PG for the Lakers, and I had equivalent experience to the OP, what would people there say about me? What would you say?
I think its the same here. Many highly talented players have failed to get an ATP point, much less a 20-something 4.5 with an average tournament record and league record.
No one's telling him not to try...really, he can only find out himself, I think its a worthy goal if he takes it seriously, by training harder than he ever has and reworking his game to get to another level.
I dont think the usta regions are the same per NTRP ratings.
I am a 4.5 in NorCal but i played some 4.5s from new york that had made it to sectionals and they were definitely more like the 4.0s around here. Not sure if it was just them ...but then soem people told me that the norcal region is depreciated...
Anyway its a good goal. I read a couple of years ago in Tennis Magazines interview with the actress Elizabeth Shue that this was exactly her goal, and i believe she was 4.0 or 4.5...
I am a 4.5 in NorCal but i played some 4.5s from new york that had made it to sectionals and they were definitely more like the 4.0s around here. Not sure if it was just them ...but then soem people told me that the norcal region is depreciated...
Anyway its a good goal. I read a couple of years ago in Tennis Magazines interview with the actress Elizabeth Shue that this was exactly her goal, and i believe she was 4.0 or 4.5...
goober
Legend
I like the story, mostly because I like the fact that the father is very involved in his son's life and is giving him more love and time than most parents would give to their children. However, I don't consider what they are doing unrealistic goal at all. I mean all the father is doing is pushing his son around in various events by different methods. Most adult males who are in decent shape could accomplish this if they wanted to since the goal is simply to participate not to win. An unrealistic goal would be for them to attain a top 100 type of national ranking in the marathon or triathalon.
There is nothing wrong with lofty aspirations. However the world is full of dreamers who want to go from point A to point Z and skip all the steps in between to get there. Work hard, prove yourself at a lower level, then move onto the next level and prove yourself again. If you are not able to accomplish these feats at a lower level, dreaming about lofty things are going to remain just that - dreams.
OrangePower
Legend
All true.
However, the world is also full of those who have no imagination to dream, and those afraid to try reach their aspirations for fear of failing along the way.
Balance is everything.
Timbo's hopeless slice
Hall of Fame
This never fails to make me smile. You would think particular regions would consistently perform better at Nationals, wouldn't you?
They probably would if this popular myth had any basis in reality...
Recently I've been researching pros in my area to take some lessons from. One of the guys I found had this on his 2004 player bio from the community college he played at, (he went on to play for Marist College).
Not sure if he got that point - I'll have to ask him if I see him sometime!
Not sure if he got that point - I'll have to ask him if I see him sometime!
yes i would expect that. Its not true? Those new york guys were saying they always get crushed by norcal in nationals....but maybe its not true...
Timbo's hopeless slice
Hall of Fame
Just search the results. No region dominates any level with winners from all over year after year...
It's a popular myth, though, especially among players from NorCal and Florida!
It's a popular myth, though, especially among players from NorCal and Florida!
MarinaHighTennis
Hall of Fame
....never mind
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Timbo's hopeless slice
Hall of Fame
OP's name is in the thread somewhere.. initials JH
yonexpurestorm
Rookie
ya, the guy i played was pretty good. another lefty which really didnt help. my game felt really off. i couldnt serve and my forehand had no consistency, and thats usually my best shot. i just had unforced error after error. it felt like i hadnt played in weeks or something and my reactions were off.
i think one of my mains problems right now is that i dont get enough good training. i play some leagues here and there, but what i really need is someone like me that wants to get better and needs a practice partner. i have a few friends who i play with, but they are in the 4.0 range and when i play the opens i see pace that im not used to with them. what i need to do know is find a sparring partner that has the same goals of getting better and will do drills 3-4 times a week. but for now playing sets will have to suffice.
anyways, my next tournaments draw is posted. the laguna futures wild card tournament. here is the link to the draw. im in the 84 spot if you dont feel like looking up my name.
http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/Draws/EventDraw.aspx?T=100176&E=1&D=M&S=3
ill post the results after my match on wed. if i do happen to win 3 matches ill have to forfit my friday match because i will have to work at 1pm on friday, but im not expecting to get that far.
then after this tourn the HB open starts. i signed up for 4.5 because i am getting a little frustrated and i would like to get the taste of some winning. also, the club holding the tournament is my dads local club, so i would like to win.
i think one of my mains problems right now is that i dont get enough good training. i play some leagues here and there, but what i really need is someone like me that wants to get better and needs a practice partner. i have a few friends who i play with, but they are in the 4.0 range and when i play the opens i see pace that im not used to with them. what i need to do know is find a sparring partner that has the same goals of getting better and will do drills 3-4 times a week. but for now playing sets will have to suffice.
anyways, my next tournaments draw is posted. the laguna futures wild card tournament. here is the link to the draw. im in the 84 spot if you dont feel like looking up my name.
http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/Draws/EventDraw.aspx?T=100176&E=1&D=M&S=3
ill post the results after my match on wed. if i do happen to win 3 matches ill have to forfit my friday match because i will have to work at 1pm on friday, but im not expecting to get that far.
then after this tourn the HB open starts. i signed up for 4.5 because i am getting a little frustrated and i would like to get the taste of some winning. also, the club holding the tournament is my dads local club, so i would like to win.
yonexpurestorm
Rookie
ya i think that is him. i remember him mentioning something about long beach. he was a lefty though, and the atp website says he's a righty. it could be wrong though.
i guess that makes me feel little better knowing this guy was probably really good back in the day. lol.
i guess that makes me feel little better knowing this guy was probably really good back in the day. lol.
yonexpurestorm
Rookie
i just looked up my first opponent. looks like hes a 3 star recruit. not sure what that translates to in ntrp. but it should be a competitive match up.
goober
Legend
The problem 5.0-5.5 players have no incentive to play with you. If you are really serious, the only way you are going to get one of the players to practice with you and get better is pay them. Go find a couple college level players and pay them to be your hitting partner. There are lots of them always looking for spare cash. Then get a coach to work out technical issues. If you just play sets with other players, you will never get better.
goober
Legend
Well you played a 2 star recruit in an earlier tournament, so this guy should be a step up probably 5.0.
T
TheMagicianOfPrecision
Guest
Very nice thread
Dont listen to the naysayers, go all in for your goals, work hard and reach for the stars! There are Challengers with Q that are really awful and 2-3 players in it, not many but they do exist.
Good luck
Dont listen to the naysayers, go all in for your goals, work hard and reach for the stars! There are Challengers with Q that are really awful and 2-3 players in it, not many but they do exist.
Good luck
I wish the OP luck although I don't understand the point of the endeavor.
Is the point to actually get better and become good enough to compete on that level or just to come up with ways to game the system to get a point somehow?
It is not the way I would set my goals, but its not me so that's irrelevant. Good luck
Is the point to actually get better and become good enough to compete on that level or just to come up with ways to game the system to get a point somehow?
It is not the way I would set my goals, but its not me so that's irrelevant. Good luck
yonexpurestorm
Rookie
im trying to get better so i can compete in the upper echelons of tennis. im not trying to get one point just for the sake of having a point. im sure i could fly to iran and get a point like some of the other posters recommended. i would just like to see how far my tennis skills can go.
however, so far they havent been too impressive. lol.
on a side note, im still trying to get some video of me playing so all the other posters can see how i play. and then it might be fun to see what u all think my ntrp should be.
however, so far they havent been too impressive. lol.
on a side note, im still trying to get some video of me playing so all the other posters can see how i play. and then it might be fun to see what u all think my ntrp should be.
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