First USTA Tournament What To Expect?
- Thread starter takl23
- Start date
Good luck. Tournaments are a lot of fun.
I'm not sure where you are located, but keep your health in mind - stay hydrated and make sure you take in some food between matches. I've only ever had to play 2 matches in a day, but if you keep yourself fed and hydrated, it's easier to exert yourself for up to 4 hours in a day.
I've found that tourneys are a step down level-wise compared to league play, personally.
I'm not sure where you are located, but keep your health in mind - stay hydrated and make sure you take in some food between matches. I've only ever had to play 2 matches in a day, but if you keep yourself fed and hydrated, it's easier to exert yourself for up to 4 hours in a day.
I've found that tourneys are a step down level-wise compared to league play, personally.
goober
Legend
If you played USTA leagues, you will be fine. The competition is more varied- you could get a weak 3.5 or a 3.0 playing up. Generally you will not see that in USTA leagues. However once you are past the early rounds the competition will be much stiffer. As other have said- be prepared for mulitple matches in successive days. If you have to play 2 matches in one day, sometimes there are very long wait times between matches- which I detest. You can spend a lot of time waiting around.
badmice2
Professional
be aware that sleepers exists, especially the self rated players. Seeded players are not as good as they might appeared; they might be seeded due to the amount of tournaments they played. So research your players a little bit before your match, but prepare to play the highest level out there. Good luck!
takl23
Semi-Pro
Awesome guys thanks. It's in Dorchester, MA so it'll be indoors. My only problem is and it's a big one, I haven't played there before. I know they're hard courts and playing in the league I've seen just about every hard court there is. It's Friday-Sunday don't know the number of entries as of yet though I got registration confirmation from TennisLink today. I'm bringing my ipod and a book and lots of water/cytomax with me. I'll be truly happy to get past the first round.
Cheers,
Tim
Cheers,
Tim
smoothtennis
Hall of Fame
Yeah, the warmups are so short, they really are not a real warmup. I run, stretch, and get all warmed up 30 mins before the match, so I am warmed up when the warm up starts.
I have had 3 matches in a day a few times - I have cramped in that third match if I remember ...every time--- effectively defaulting because performance is impossible when you can take off fast.
Three in a day should be banned, it's not realistic.
I have had 3 matches in a day a few times - I have cramped in that third match if I remember ...every time--- effectively defaulting because performance is impossible when you can take off fast.
Three in a day should be banned, it's not realistic.
smoothtennis
Hall of Fame
^^^^ Yes, and also very important regarding hydration -
*******DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DAY OF THE TOURNAMENT TO HYDRATE!******
Start at least two-three days before, and then don't tank up too much on game day...just nice and easy. Don't eat large amounts of anything too close to match time. Alcohol pre game day can also screw up your electrolytes, so cut alcohol out three days prior if you do that sort of thing.
*******DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DAY OF THE TOURNAMENT TO HYDRATE!******
Start at least two-three days before, and then don't tank up too much on game day...just nice and easy. Don't eat large amounts of anything too close to match time. Alcohol pre game day can also screw up your electrolytes, so cut alcohol out three days prior if you do that sort of thing.
I was inspired by this post, so I got registered for a tourney next weekend myself. I haven't been playing much singles, so I don't expect to have too much success, but with my singles matches being so few and far between, I figure I should play some more to get up to speed.
I agree with this - you will find uneven levels of play at tournements. Likely, one or two will be way underrated and the rest are happy to show up.
In the summer, I usually fade in the later matches, but this time of year you can really set your pace.
Have fun.
goober
Legend
Didn't you play some singles at Nationals last week? Actually we played a common opponent.
You should clean house at 3.5. At 4.0 you should probably go deep into the tourney depending who signs up.Didn't you play some singles at Nationals last week? Actually we played a common opponent.
I played 2 matches of singles, but they were my first singles matches in probably 8 months or so. You've played BP? That wasn't my best showing - I was serving for match at 5-2, and didn't hold. I was a bundle of nerves Friday.
I'm actually playing 4.0 exclusively now - 3.5 became really boring for me in Northern.
haha yea be prepared for a few cheaters. i got tired of playing 3.5 and played a 4.0 only tourney and was excited 2 months ago. i got destroyed 6-0 6-0. i thought this guy was way better but then i thought it was all in my head and i sucked. there was alot of deuces on my serve which i couldnt hold onto and his serves were bombs. he was unranked (as was i) and on the way he beat all the seeds and won the whole tournament. so i came to the conclusion he was a 5.0/Open player just trying to get a trophy! i thought it was unfair esepcially for my first 4.0 tourney! beware of those one-tournament-wonder players hahaha. theyll disappear off the map.
goober
Legend
yah I played him. Their whole team moved to 4.0 for the fall session and they recruited some regular 4.0s to the roster. Even though he does pretty well at 3.5 locally, he was one of their weaker singles players.
takl23
Semi-Pro
So I got the draw just a minute ago. If I make it to the finals I could play three matches tomorrow night. My first is at 5:00 pm then 2nd round 7:15 then finals at 8:45pm. http://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/Draws/EventDraw.aspx?T=60494&E=11 There's the link. I'm the 5th ranked player in the draw. Gonna be a long night I guess...
Cheers,
Tim
Cheers,
Tim
goober
Legend
Are you playing full matches or is it superset format? 3 matches in one night is a lot to play.
smoothtennis
Hall of Fame
Wow. What a crappy way to time the schedule. I can't believe they can't spread the matches better. Now you really have to make sure you have the hydration thing down pat. Make sure you have loaded on carbs the day before the match, and use the electrolyte/sport drinks during the matches.
takl23
Semi-Pro
Yea I will. I cycle semi-professionally so I know about eating and drinking. Trust me, opening and eating a powerbar at 30mph with somene 6 inches on either side of you isn't easy hahaha.
I don't know the scoring format yet. I should call the club. I'm guessing it's going to be a pro set format with ad scoring. Where the club is located isn't the best area in the Boston area. Dorchester has the highest or 2nd highest gun crimes in Mass. I was really hoping to have these matches during the day. This is not a city you want to be lost in at night.
Cheers,
Tim
I don't know the scoring format yet. I should call the club. I'm guessing it's going to be a pro set format with ad scoring. Where the club is located isn't the best area in the Boston area. Dorchester has the highest or 2nd highest gun crimes in Mass. I was really hoping to have these matches during the day. This is not a city you want to be lost in at night.
Cheers,
Tim
Topaz
Legend
It is also against USTA regulations...which stipulate that if a player has three tournament matches in one day, at least one must be doubles. Takl, if you wanted, assuming you got through, you could ask for the final to be moved to the next morning.
This is from the code. Don't have it on me, so can't tell you the exact place, but I looked it up recently.
That is, assuming, that it is regular scoring format.
