doing better than I thought

So end of 2014 I got bumped up to 3.5. My goal is to get bumped to 4.0. Everyone I talked to said to play singles at 3.5 and get on a 4.0 team. Mission accomplished on both.

I've played singles against five 3.5 players. I've only lost once and won the other 4 in straight sets. 3 of those wins were pretty easy.

I didn't expect that. I also played against a 4.0 player and went to a third set tie break before he beat me.

When I was playing at the 3.0 level, my singles scores were very similar.

I expected to struggle when I got to the 3.5 level. That's just not the case. In fact, there are 2.5 and 3.0 players that could give the 3.5 players a good run for their money.

Is that because most people self rate or are told to self rate at 3.5 when they really should be playing at a lower level? Or is the disparity between 3.5 and 3.0 not great at all?
 

tennixpl

Rookie
So end of 2014 I got bumped up to 3.5. My goal is to get bumped to 4.0. Everyone I talked to said to play singles at 3.5 and get on a 4.0 team. Mission accomplished on both.

I've played singles against five 3.5 players. I've only lost once and won the other 4 in straight sets. 3 of those wins were pretty easy.

I didn't expect that. I also played against a 4.0 player and went to a third set tie break before he beat me.

When I was playing at the 3.0 level, my singles scores were very similar.

I expected to struggle when I got to the 3.5 level. That's just not the case. In fact, there are 2.5 and 3.0 players that could give the 3.5 players a good run for their money.

Is that because most people self rate or are told to self rate at 3.5 when they really should be playing at a lower level? Or is the disparity between 3.5 and 3.0 not great at all?

most men can't stand biong rated 3.0 unless they are decent players who just love to win. In central Texas 3.5 is all over the board. Yes men seem tend to self rate into 3.5, and get adjusted from there. some guys who have no business becuae they can barely see teh ball, and other s who should be at teh 4.5 level. differences between 3.0 adn 3.5 is gettign the ball in more, 4.0s tend to have better strokes and much better footwork overall. 3.5s still don't have foot work. adn remeber teh rating is an average, so gettign a guy on a good or bad day makes a big differnce. we are much much more streaky.
 

Govnor

Professional
From what I've seen 3.5 level can be extremely wide ranging. The only "weapons" a 3.5 is likely to have is consistency and some basic strategy to win against others (i.e. hit to their backhand!!).

If someone new to tennis is athletic and motivated or has some natural skill with hand to eye sports, it won't take long at all to at least challenge your average 3.5.
 

Bionic slice

Semi-Pro
I think they will find out quickly if they are 3.5 or not after a season of league. a seasoned player has been in several battles and has the court experience that will usually edge the athletic newbie but if the self rating works hard and plays matches can win and compete.
I also think some sections are a little stronger so that may be a factor to. Are you playing men's 18 or mens 40 and up? Did you look on tls to see the guys you beat rating were ? Where are they , low mid, high 3.5? And same for the 4.0?
You might also consider trying a major zone tourney and challenge yourself as usually they have very solid competitiors.
 
I think they will find out quickly if they are 3.5 or not after a season of league. a seasoned player has been in several battles and has the court experience that will usually edge the athletic newbie but if the self rating works hard and plays matches can win and compete.
I also think some sections are a little stronger so that may be a factor to. Are you playing men's 18 or mens 40 and up? Did you look on tls to see the guys you beat rating were ? Where are they , low mid, high 3.5? And same for the 4.0?
You might also consider trying a major zone tourney and challenge yourself as usually they have very solid competitiors.

I'm playing the men's 40+ league. Although two of the guys I beat were under 40. Also, the people I played against have been playing at their level for at least two years.

The 3.5 I lost to was a high 3.5. The rest were low to average. The 4.0 was an average 4.0.

How do I find tourneys?
 
Top