Got My Butt Kicked today!!

[TagUrIt]

I consider myself to be a decent 4.0 player. At the beginning of the tennis season I joined a 40 and over 3.5 men’s league. I was designated singles guy because most of the guys on the team didn’t want to play singles. I’ve been doing really well as a singles player. My record was 7-8 overall for the season. Before anyone chimes in my official NTRP rating is 3.5. My goal was to get to 4.0 before the end of the season, I’d like to think I’m there now. (maybe lol)

A few days ago, I accepted a ladder challenge from an unknown opponent. This particular ladder league the matches are separated by age, not NTRP rating. So of course I went into the match with all sorts of confidence because of my singles play in the other league. Well....not the case. The guy I played was easily a strong 4.5 player. I lost 6-1, 6-2.

Not at all saying that my 3.5 matches were easy or anything, but up until today, I hadn’t played anyone of this caliber. During the match we had some competitive rallies and I even got 4 aces. However, it was a very humbling learning experience. It was a friendly match we even talked a little tennis after the game. I could tell from warmups that he could hit, but I had no idea how strong his game was. I definitely underestimated how good my opponent was. I asked him for a rematch sometime and he was more than happy to agree.

Moral of the story (which we all already know) don’t EVER underestimate your opponent.

 

[tennis tom]

The guy I played was easily a strong 4.5 player. I lost 6-1, 6-2.

In tennis, the score doesn't necessarily reflect how close the players abilities really are.

 

[WhiteOut]

I always say...I'm a great player till it's time to keep score!

 

[ptuanminh]

I consider myself to be a decent 4.0 player. At the beginning of the tennis season I joined a 40 and over 3.5 men’s league. I was designated singles guy because most of the guys on the team didn’t want to play singles. I’ve been doing really well as a singles player. My record was 7-8 overall for the season. Before anyone chimes in my official NTRP rating is 3.5. My goal was to get to 4.0 before the end of the season, I’d like to think I’m there now. (maybe lol)

A few days ago, I accepted a ladder challenge from an unknown opponent. This particular ladder league the matches are separated by age, not NTRP rating. So of course I went into the match with all sorts of confidence because of my singles play in the other league. Well....not the case. The guy I played was easily a strong 4.5 player. I lost 6-1, 6-2.

Not at all saying that my 3.5 matches were easy or anything, but up until today, I hadn’t played anyone of this caliber. During the match we had some competitive rallies and I even got 4 aces. However, it was a very humbling learning experience. It was a friendly match we even talked a little tennis after the game. I could tell from warmups that he could hit, but I had no idea how strong his game was. I definitely underestimated how good my opponent was. I asked him for a rematch sometime and he was more than happy to agree.

Moral of the story (which we all already know) don’t EVER underestimate your opponent.

I wish more people on this forum had this kind of humbling experience.

 

[loosegroove]

I'm just curious how you consider yourself a decent 4.0, while you're 7-8 in a 3.5 league? Is it because you're mainly a doubles player?

 

[ChrisG]

In tennis, the score doesn't necessarily reflect how close the players abilities really are.

I couldn't agree more. Most of my defeats are heavy ones because I'm quite agressive regardless of the level of my opponent so it can lead to a lot of unforced errors against a stronger opponent.
But that's how you progress, trying to play well no matter the score or your opponent's rating.
I think that some matches I could have won with a less flashy game but that's how your level stall

 

[3virgul14]

I couldn't agree more. Most of my defeats are heavy ones because I'm quite agressive regardless of the level of my opponent so it can lead to a lot of unforced errors against a stronger opponent.
But that's how you progress, trying to play well no matter the score or your opponent's rating.
I think that some matches I could have won with a less flashy game but that's how your level stall

People criticise this attitude and suggest to play safer targets or defensive shots to win games . I am not able to do it either, less UE should not be the winner of the match imho.. Winners are the beauty of this sport, and we gotta be able to hit them against any opponent..

 

[ChrisG]

Well It also depends of what's at stake. But most of the rec players should try to play their best tennis

 

[Vox Rationis]

I'm just curious how you consider yourself a decent 4.0, while you're 7-8 in a 3.5 league? Is it because you're mainly a doubles player?

Might have meant 7 out of 8 a.k.a. 7-1.

 

[TagUrIt]

I'm just curious how you consider yourself a decent 4.0, while you're 7-8 in a 3.5 league? Is it because you're mainly a doubles player?

I misspoke, what I meant to say I won 7 out of my 8 matches in singles. But thanks for the observation. No, I wouldn’t consider myself a singles or a doubles player. I enjoy aspects from both.

Might have meant 7 out of 8 a.k.a. 7-1.

That’s exactly right, thanks for the correction.

 

[penpal]

It's likely you are a low-level 4.0 player and the guy you played is a high-level 4.0 player. You probably wouldn't have enjoyed any competitive rallies with a strong 4.5 player - unless he decided to allow you to stay in the rally.

 

[n8dawg6]

It's likely you are a low-level 4.0 player and the guy you played is a high-level 4.0 player. You probably wouldn't have enjoyed any competitive rallies with a strong 4.5 player - unless he decided to allow you to stay in the rally.

i tend to agree ... i recall watching a 4.5 singles match last summer between a solid 4.5 and a “4.5” who had appealed down from 5.0 .... long story short, the solid 4.5 couldnt really stay on the court with the “4.5” and the “4.5” ended up getting dq’d and bumped back to 5.0 a couple weeks later. sometimes its kinda hard to see the difference until its match play, then everything becomes abundantly clear

 

[winchestervatennis]

i tend to agree ... i recall watching a 4.5 singles match last summer between a solid 4.5 and a “4.5” who had appealed down from 5.0 .... long story short, the solid 4.5 couldnt really stay on the court with the “4.5” and the “4.5” ended up getting dq’d and bumped back to 5.0 a couple weeks later. sometimes its kinda hard to see the difference until its match play, then everything becomes abundantly clear

This is correct. If the opponent was playing 100% and only beat you, a computer rated 3.5 2&1, he’s not even a low 4.5. Probably middle of the road 4.0. If he were truly a high 4.5 he won’t play with you again.

 

[ChrisG]

I don't know how rankings work in the US, but a ranking is just a partial information on your opponent. Style of play also plays a big difference to level or increase the ranking differential.
I've recently checked my records for this year official games, and there's this guy I've beaten quite easily, who beat a guy who defeated me a few weeks before. And each of us has different rankings.
I agree that there are milestones rankings that implies at least a certain level of technique, fitness etc... But between those milestones it's a jungle man !

 

[CosmosMpower]

If you're really a 3.5 then he's not really a strong 4.5 if you got 3 games off him or he wasn't trying.

 

[TagUrIt]

If you're really a 3.5 then he's not really a strong 4.5 if you got 3 games off him or he wasn't trying.

I like how this board is so very opinionated.lol I’d like to think I’ve been around long enough to recognize true NTRP levels and by my own admittance I classify myself as a decent 4.0. I can assure you earned each game I won. The score could have easily gone another way had I brought my best tennis. Not taking anything away from my opponent’s victory, he was the better player that day. But I do know myself and what I’m capable of on the courts and it will definitely be a different story when I play him again.

 

[CosmosMpower]

I like how this board is so very opinionated.lol I’d like to think I’ve been around long enough to recognize true NTRP levels and by my own admittance I classify myself as a decent 4.0. I can assure you earned each game I won. The score could have easily gone another way had I brought my best tennis. Not taking anything away from my opponent’s victory, he was the better player that day. But I do know myself and what I’m capable of on the courts and it will definitely be a different story when I play him again.

Numbers don't lie, if you were a true 4.0 you'd have a 4.0C rating unless you're sandbagging on purpose and throwing matches. A top person at each level should be able to double bagel a bottom person at the same level.

What's your UTR?

 

[Vox Rationis]

I like how this board is so very opinionated.lol I’d like to think I’ve been around long enough to recognize true NTRP levels and by my own admittance I classify myself as a decent 4.0. I can assure you earned each game I won. The score could have easily gone another way had I brought my best tennis. Not taking anything away from my opponent’s victory, he was the better player that day. But I do know myself and what I’m capable of on the courts and it will definitely be a different story when I play him again.

I don't think people have a problem with you calling yourself a 4.0. What stuck out as odd is calling your opponent "easily a strong 4.5". A strong 4.5 would beat weaker 4.5s by at least a 6-1, 6-2 scoreline if not worse. Most 4.0s wouldn't get a game with the strong 4.5 trying his best. And a computer rated 3.5 would struggle to win any points at all, never mind games. That's why people keep questioning your ratings. It's extremely unlikely you played a 4.5 at all, let alone a really strong one.

 

[TagUrIt]

I know from experience posting here on the board you’re going to get some feedback could be positive or could be negative. I honestly could careless about NTRP ratings or UTR’s for that matter. My intent was to share a humbling experience on the courts and maybe something we could all learn from. That’s it, no more no less. Okay, I’m done now.

 

[J B]

In tennis, the score doesn't necessarily reflect how close the players abilities really are.

There’s exactly one person on this board that would disagree

 

[ShaunS]

Most 4.0s wouldn't get a game with the strong 4.5 trying his best. And a computer rated 3.5 would struggle to win any points at all, never mind games.

I literally had my rating drop in a doubles match when I lost a single game. Two mid-high 4.0s against a low 4.0 and low 3.5. The NTRP system wants nothing less than ruthless execution of opponents. Honestly, if it hadn't been a "playoff" match, I probably would've dropped a second game due to lack of intensity. They weren't in any realistic way competitive.

If you're really a 3.5 then he's not really a strong 4.5 if you got 3 games off him or he wasn't trying.

I think this is probably the case. If I'm playing someone who is decidely below my level, unless there's some compelling reason, I'm just not going to bring my best tennis. That won't be fun for anyone. It's not that I won't try to win, but I'll play more conservative shots so that we can both hit some tennis balls. I've run into a lot of crafty, older players who I watched against an opponent and thought I'd be able to take them easily. Once we're on the court though, that volley is a little crisper, the serve kicks a little higher, and that ball I was sure I'd run down was another couple feet away.

The score could have easily gone another way had I brought my best tennis.

I wouldn't argue with your experience, but a mid-level 4.0 beating a strong 4.5 is the kind of result that would result in a strike for a self-rated player.

My intent was to share a humbling experience on the courts and maybe something we could all learn from.

No matter how many times it happens, I'll still make snap judgments off someone's appearance that are sometimes wildly wrong. I was walking on court for a playoff match (which should've been enough clue to know better), and our opponents looked like they had a better chance of needing a defibrillator than winning. My partner quietly tells me to not overdo it as we've got another couple matches to play yet. It took all of two hits in warmup to realize that wasn't how this was going to go. They hit the ball so cleanly, and both of them had great control. That team took as many games off us as the team who went to nationals from our section (edit: and one of those guys apparently got bumped up at year end).

Don't trust your lying eyes.