First USTA tournament (3.5 men's singles)

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Viking92

New User
Playing first USTA singles tournament ever (I'm 3.5 man, age 47) after playing local doubles leagues for couple of years (mostly 3.0-3.5 players). Looks like I have 3 matches (best 2 of 3 sets to 4 games) in a 3 hour period.

I play mostly from the baseline with a hard, flat 2 hand backhand and eastern grip forehand with modest topspin--probably best strategy I have is being a retriever.

Any tips for a newbie to tournament play and singles in general?

One of my opponents is 30 years old and former college soccer player--I'm assuming retrieving isn't going to cut it but any thoughts on this type of young/athletic opponent?

Thanks
 
I agree! I'm planning to try to have fun or at least get my feet wet and learn stuff--but somehow getting steamrolled right out of the tournament is in the back of my mind.
Will focus on high percentage tennis without going ultra conservative.
 
Just keep the ball in at all costs, that's what wins matches in 3.0 and 3.5.

Everyone has a weakness at those levels too, find their weakest shot and exploit it without mercy.

Get most your 1st serves in even if they are slow, you'll get a lot of free points. On the flip side, get your returns in, even if they are slow and back to the middle of the court.
 
Viking92 said:
I agree! I'm planning to try to have fun or at least get my feet wet and learn stuff--but somehow getting steamrolled right out of the tournament is in the back of my mind.
Will focus on high percentage tennis without going ultra conservative.
Click to expand...
Good strategy. Trying to be too careful can have the opposite effect at times. Have a short memory and don't let unforced errors bring you down. I know it is easier said than done, but staying even-keeled during a match will serve you well. Your opponent will make mistakes as well so it is just a matter of who makes the fewest. I like to play like I am behind all of the time so I don't get complacent and let people back in matches.

Make sure to start hydrating well before your first match and stay hydrated during. That's a lot of tennis in just 3 hours even if it is only 4 game sets. Eat some good stuff like bananas.
 
Best of luck; should be an enjoyable experience regardless of the results.

My advice is to mercilessly exploit your opponent's weaknesses. By the time they adjust (if they even can), you'll be up a set.
 
Against the soccer player: if he's anything like the ex-pro soccer player I faced, he'll run everything down, won't get tired, and will get most everything back. He's relying on you getting impatient and trying to hit the highlight reel shot, which will work maybe 2 out of 10 times.

I won my match [barely] by attacking the net. If that's not your forte, you will have to be patient building the point but then also knowing when to pull the trigger. It's a tightrope and a difficult one at that.

I would relish the challenge. Be thankful for the opportunity to be out on the court and enjoy yourself!
 
I would echo the above sentiment about relaxing and just have fun. It should be a great time!

If you have little/no tournament experience, I would honestly expect to play not as well as you might expect. Something is just different about playing competitive tournaments, and if you haven’t exercised that muscle, the nerves or the pressure can really get to you.

Don’t worry if that happens, it’s totally normal! Play within yourself and focus on yourself and doing what you need to do to keep the ball in play. Often the only way to overcome that is just experience.

Have fun! And video your matches if you can - it’s really eye-opening.
 
Have low expectations/don’t go in with high hopes, this way if you lose it was expected/but if you win it makes that much better!!! I never ever expect to win my matches. As I said before you need to be in shape to play not play to get in shape/also working on serve/ball machine are a must to get better. This sport is no longer a weekend hobby. I feel you must make this a second job/don’t listen to others saying your not getting paid or whatever/no one likes to lose.
 
If he's a 30 year old ex soccer player at 3.5, he's either sandbagging or has some significant weakness to his game. Someone with speed and fitness of a soccer player should be easily able to compete quickly at 4.0 with a very average game.

if you are lucky he's a ball basher, in which your job is to keep him off balance so he can't get set up. Moonballs to the BH and slices to the FH. Hopefully he'll disintegrate in a pile of errors.
If you re unlucky he's a pusherjunkabller with MEP strokes and speed and footwork. Now you've got a problem because your game doesn't fit that mold. My experience with this type of player is you have to get to the net and pressure them. You hang back at your doom. Go at his BH and get in. Return his serves deep and get in.

If he's a sandbagger, like most first round competition, then have fun and look forward to the consolation round where the regular 3.5's hang out.
 
Viking92 said:
Playing first USTA singles tournament ever (I'm 3.5 man, age 47) after playing local doubles leagues for couple of years (mostly 3.0-3.5 players). Looks like I have 3 matches (best 2 of 3 sets to 4 games) in a 3 hour period.

I play mostly from the baseline with a hard, flat 2 hand backhand and eastern grip forehand with modest topspin--probably best strategy I have is being a retriever.

Any tips for a newbie to tournament play and singles in general?

One of my opponents is 30 years old and former college soccer player--I'm assuming retrieving isn't going to cut it but any thoughts on this type of young/athletic opponent?

Thanks
Click to expand...

How did it go?
 
I was grateful I didn't get severely dehydrated or suffer an injury from 3 matches in 80+ degree weather.

I was also grateful to get through the round robin with a record of 1-2 despite feeling completely out of sorts with
1. playing competitive singles for the first time ever (after about a hundred doubles matches--high school, league, etc)
2. playing on hard sun baked/dusty clay after indoor season
3. playing tournament style singles (win at all costs, pushing, slice/drop shot/lob) vs my usual social or informal singles matches

I learned that it is a struggle to win this kind of tennis, and I'm not sure I'm eager for such a challenge since I've got a very long way to go.
Even though I'm reasonably fit for a 47 year old, I'm not fit enough to sustain things through 3 matches--so fatigue/stress eventually made me lose confidence in every single stroke except maybe my serve by the end.
 
It is very different tennis to be sure. You are playing people who you never knew existed before that day and every experience is a new one for you. Playing in social groups, you kind of get to know everyone's game and you learn what to expect. Sit back and think about what you did well and what you didn't do well, but don't dwell. Experience is the best teacher.
 
Viking92 said:
I was grateful I didn't get severely dehydrated or suffer an injury from 3 matches in 80+ degree weather.

I was also grateful to get through the round robin with a record of 1-2 despite feeling completely out of sorts with
1. playing competitive singles for the first time ever (after about a hundred doubles matches--high school, league, etc)
2. playing on hard sun baked/dusty clay after indoor season
3. playing tournament style singles (win at all costs, pushing, slice/drop shot/lob) vs my usual social or informal singles matches

I learned that it is a struggle to win this kind of tennis, and I'm not sure I'm eager for such a challenge since I've got a very long way to go.
Even though I'm reasonably fit for a 47 year old, I'm not fit enough to sustain things through 3 matches--so fatigue/stress eventually made me lose confidence in every single stroke except maybe my serve by the end.
Click to expand...
You know what to expect now. Stick with it. Will make you better.
 
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