First league match tonight

[Tennis_Fever]

Tonight is my first ever tennis league match- up until this point I have only played with friends, family, and a few other local players at the tennis club. Because of this it is difficult for me to gauge my skill level, and so I am not completely sure what to expect now that I am in my first league (hence a bit of anxiety). It is a local "B" level league (not sure how this translates to NTRP) and I get the feeling that it is mostly older guys looking for some exercise and friendly matches. Any tips or advice heading into my first match? Obviously I want to stay loose and have fun, but I also want to have realistic expectations. I am a fairly competitive person and consider myself very mentally tough (benefit of being in the US Army for 4 years) so hopefully that will serve me well going in to tonight's match.

I should note that I consider myself a 3.5, I'm 26 years old and play 3-5 times a week.

 

[kanulondon]

Tonight is my first ever tennis league match- up until this point I have only played with friends, family, and a few other local players at the tennis club. Because of this it is difficult for me to gauge my skill level, and so I am not completely sure what to expect now that I am in my first league (hence a bit of anxiety). It is a local "B" level league (not sure how this translates to NTRP) and I get the feeling that it is mostly older guys looking for some exercise and friendly matches. Any tips or advice heading into my first match? Obviously I want to stay loose and have fun, but I also want to have realistic expectations. I am a fairly competitive person and consider myself very mentally tough (benefit of being in the US Army for 4 years) so hopefully that will serve me well going in to tonight's match.

I should note that I consider myself a 3.5, I'm 26 years old and play 3-5 times a week.

Good luck!

 

[damazing]

Tips for a successful first match:

Keep it loose, don't put any extra pressure on yourself.

Hit the ball the same as you do in practice.

Enjoy the mental game of figuring out what works against your opponents and then try to do it.

Remember, at 3.5 you probably will have the best strategy of hitting to their backhands and keeping the ball in play.

(Don't get frustrated if you don't play up to your expectations, this is just your first match. Use it to gauge what improvements you can do for the next one.)

 

[Tennis_Fever]

Good luck!

Thank you! I'll need it!

 

[Tennis_Fever]

Tips for a successful first match:

Keep it loose, don't put any extra pressure on yourself.

Hit the ball the same as you do in practice.

Enjoy the mental game of figuring out what works against your opponents and then try to do it.

Remember, at 3.5 you probably will have the best strategy of hitting to their backhands and keeping the ball in play.

(Don't get frustrated if you don't play up to your expectations, this is just your first match. Use it to gauge what improvements you can do for the next one.)

Definitely, thank you for the tips! Hopefully my backhand is clicking! LOL

 

[JoelDali]

Lead Tape. 6 pack bag. RF Polo. WristAssist. Bandana. Nike Vapours. Good to go.

 

[tennisfreak]

Your level is probably fine. Are you playing doubles or singles?

Have fun and don't be a jerk. Don't underestimate the old guys, they want to win and will do almost anything from a competitive standpoint to win. (Although, fair play is definitely common and appreciated.)

Review your league rules. They are probably similar to usta rules but there may be some differences so make sure you know them.

At the 3.5 level most points are won off errors so play high percentage tennis. Read winning ugly by Brad Gilbert. For doubles I recommend Tennis Doubles Beyond Big Shots.

 

[Tennis_Fever]

Lead Tape. 6 pack bag. RF Polo. WristAssist. Bandana. Nike Vapours. Good to go.

Lead Tape- Pass
6 pack bag- check
RF Polo- Pass
WristAssist- idk what this is...Pass
Bandana- Pass (unlike Andre, I have a full head of real hair)
Nike Vapors- I had some until they completely wore out in 20 minutes, just like everyone else....Pass

Good to go!

 

[Tennis_Fever]

Your level is probably fine. Are you playing doubles or singles?

Have fun and don't be a jerk. Don't underestimate the old guys, they want to win and will do almost anything from a competitive standpoint to win. (Although, fair play is definitely common and appreciated.)

Review your league rules. They are probably similar to usta rules but there may be some differences so make sure you know them.

At the 3.5 level most points are won off errors so play high percentage tennis. Read winning ugly by Brad Gilbert. For doubles I recommend Tennis Doubles Beyond Big Shots.

Thanks for your reply. I'm playing singles- not a fan of doubles at all. I definitely will not underestimate my opponent, I know some old timers that have some highly refined strokes. I just recently read Winning Ugly, really enjoyed it.

Here goes nothing!

 

[movdqa]

I'd say relax but I guess this is like giving your first speech in front of an audience.

Going forward, you might consider playing matches on a weekly basis - whether with friends or with a local email community of similar players.

 

[Tennis_Fever]

I'd say relax but I guess this is like giving your first speech in front of an audience.

Going forward, you might consider playing matches on a weekly basis - whether with friends or with a local email community of similar players.

It feels a little bit like that, actually. This is a weekly-match league so that won't be an issue. Hopefully I won't be blindsided by a style I've never seen before.

 

[movdqa]

It feels a little bit like that, actually. This is a weekly-match league so that won't be an issue. Hopefully I won't be blindsided by a style I've never seen before.

Even if you are, it's a learning opportunity.

There have been many discussions here on a variety of playing styles and how to counteract them so you already know a lot if you read the threads here. Of course actually playing against new styles is different than reading about them but at least you know about them.

 

[mightyrick]

OP, don't worry about winning or losing. Just enjoy yourself. You're going to have nervous knots in your stomach. Just try to relax if you can.

Aside from having fun, be aware of etiquette. It is the thing I think most new match players don't know. Here's a few (in no particular order):

• On your side of the court, make a call on every close ball. In or out. Verbally and with a hand sign. Raise your finger for "out". Lay your hand flat in the air for "in".
• If a ball on your side is too close to judge... call it "in" by default.
• Do not call balls "in" or "out" on the other side. That is your opponent's right and responsibility.
• Before serving or receiving, watch for rolling stray balls behind your opponent that he/she might trip on and stop play if there is any danger.
• If a stray ball comes onto your court during play, call a let quickly.
• Announce the score clearly on every single point.
• If your opponent gets unreasonably delayed for whatever reason between their first and second serve... acknowledge the hindrance and give them first serve again. Say "go ahead and take two".
• Feel free to applaud with your racquet if your opponent makes a good play.

That's all I can think of for now. Be nice and enjoy the ride!

 

[RoosterDJC45]

Have confidence.

Don't beat yourself up if you lose a point or a set or the match. And don't try to change your strokes because what your doing "isn't working".

It leads to half swings and bad lobs and double faults. Have confidence in your strokes and swing away!

 

[shindemac]

Since you played only a small group of people before, you may be caught off guard w the different playing types. You know, the pushers, slicers, topspinners, different servers, etc. You may lose to them today, but you'll adjust pretty quickly. I have a friend who moved from 3.5 to 4.0 in a couple years, and she was really fit (runner) and played like 4 to 5 times a week. Your young and fit, so don't worry too much about results now. Im sure youll move up the rankings fairly quickly too.

 

[dlk]

If you burnt through some Vapors in 20 minutes, you have no advice I could give Have fun and everything else works itself out.

 

[Tennis_Fever]

Since you played only a small group of people before, you may be caught off guard w the different playing types. You know, the pushers, slicers, topspinners, different servers, etc. You may lose to them today, but you'll adjust pretty quickly. I have a friend who moved from 3.5 to 4.0 in a couple years, and she was really fit (runner) and played like 4 to 5 times a week. Your young and fit, so don't worry too much about results now. Im sure youll move up the rankings fairly quickly too.

Thanks for the encouragement and advice! Much appreciated

 

[Tennis_Fever]

If you burnt through some Vapors in 20 minutes, you have no advice I could give Have fun and everything else works itself out.

Haha I was attempting to fight sarcasm with sarcasm. I did have Vapors once, but did not burn through them in 20 minutes, unlike everyone else that has ever worn and written a review on the shoes. It's a bit of a running joke between a friend and I. Absurdly comfortable shoes though.

 

[Tennis_Fever]

OP, don't worry about winning or losing. Just enjoy yourself. You're going to have nervous knots in your stomach. Just try to relax if you can.

Aside from having fun, be aware of etiquette. It is the thing I think most new match players don't know. Here's a few (in no particular order):

• On your side of the court, make a call on every close ball. In or out. Verbally and with a hand sign. Raise your finger for "out". Lay your hand flat in the air for "in".
• If a ball on your side is too close to judge... call it "in" by default.
• Do not call balls "in" or "out" on the other side. That is your opponent's right and responsibility.
• Before serving or receiving, watch for rolling stray balls behind your opponent that he/she might trip on and stop play if there is any danger.
• If a stray ball comes onto your court during play, call a let quickly.
• Announce the score clearly on every single point.
• If your opponent gets unreasonably delayed for whatever reason between their first and second serve... acknowledge the hindrance and give them first serve again. Say "go ahead and take two".
• Feel free to applaud with your racquet if your opponent makes a good play.

That's all I can think of for now. Be nice and enjoy the ride!

Thank you so much for the heads up, I'll keep these in mind!

 

[Tennis_Fever]

Have confidence.

Don't beat yourself up if you lose a point or a set or the match. And don't try to change your strokes because what your doing "isn't working".

It leads to half swings and bad lobs and double faults. Have confidence in your strokes and swing away!

This is true, true, true. Thank you for the helpful advice.

 

[Tennis_Fever]

Update: Won the first match 7-6(4), 6-3

Happy/lucky to get away with the first set after playing extremely tight the 1st set- lots of UEs, hitting to deep and missing shots I normally hit. The 2nd set I was able to relax and play more freely- I was feeling and playing great. Probably the most fluid set I've played in some time now. Thanks for the helpful advice and tips everyone!