Help me get to USTA 5.0? Started as a 3.0.

[dsp9753]

Hey guys. One of my life dreams have been to hit a USTA 5.0. I started off in USTA in 2014 as a 3.5. But I quickly lost most of my matches going 1-11 that season for men's matches. I realized, first I suck and second that I was probably a 3.0. I worked hard during that year and ended up winning most of my matches in 2015 as a 3.5. Record of 55-16. I even ended up going to 3.5 nationals. In 2016, I was bumped up to 4.0 and I assumed I would not be getting much better. Since then, I have been playing close to 100 matches a year but little to no practice or drills outside of the matches. Miraculously, I was bumped to 4.5 this year. Now I am thinking maybe hitting 5.0 is possible after all?!?! (I have some friends betting against me. xD)

Below is a quick montage of my game as it has changed over the years.

I wanted to use this thread to see what you guys think I can do to get to the next level. What should I be working on? What is your feedback? Etc. I will be adding clips of my match highlights and/or full matches to this thread to chronicle my journey. Maybe I will even get that "5.0" serve.

Also, if anyone in the Mid Atlantic wants to play and experience my game first hand, let me know and I would be happy to set something up! Would love the feedback. (Although I mostly play doubles now. Pretty lazy. Maybe that is something I should work on.)

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Hey guys. One of my life dreams have been to hit a USTA 5.0. I started off in USTA in 2014 as a 3.5. But I quickly lost most of my matches going 1-11 that season for men's matches. I realized, first I suck and second that I was probably a 3.0. I worked hard during that year and ended up winning most of my matches in 2015 as a 3.5. Record of 55-16. I even ended up going to 3.5 nationals. In 2016, I was bumped up to 4.0 and I assumed I would not be getting much better. Since then, I have been playing close to 100 matches a year but little to no practice or drills outside of the matches. Miraculously, I was bumped to 4.5 this year. Now I am thinking maybe hitting 5.0 is possible after all?!?! (I have some friends betting against me. xD)

Below is a quick montage of my game as it has changed over the years.

I wanted to use this thread to see what you guys think I can do to get to the next level. What should I be working on? What is your feedback? Etc. I will be adding clips of my match highlights and/or full matches to this thread to chronicle my journey. Maybe I will even get that "5.0" serve.

Also, if anyone in the Mid Atlantic wants to play and experience my game first hand, let me know and I would be happy to set something up! Would love the feedback. (Although I mostly play doubles now. Pretty lazy. Maybe that is something I should work on.)

Watch other 5.0s and compare what they do [and don't do] to your game. Don't just look at stroke technique; consider non-stroke issues like the 3Fs [footwork, focus <mental toughness>, fitness, and spacing]. If anything, the gap between you and 5.0 is bigger in the non-stroke category than the stroke category.

Just recognize that, once you get past your level where things are easy, it takes more and more effort for each new level. And improvement is not linear.

And pay attention to injury-prevention, even if you're relatively young. It will pay dividends for decades.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Hey guys. One of my life dreams have been to hit a USTA 5.0. I started off in USTA in 2014 as a 3.5. But I quickly lost most of my matches going 1-11 that season for men's matches. I realized, first I suck and second that I was probably a 3.0. I worked hard during that year and ended up winning most of my matches in 2015 as a 3.5. Record of 55-16. I even ended up going to 3.5 nationals. In 2016, I was bumped up to 4.0 and I assumed I would not be getting much better. Since then, I have been playing close to 100 matches a year but little to no practice or drills outside of the matches. Miraculously, I was bumped to 4.5 this year. Now I am thinking maybe hitting 5.0 is possible after all?!?! (I have some friends betting against me. xD)

Below is a quick montage of my game as it has changed over the years.

I wanted to use this thread to see what you guys think I can do to get to the next level. What should I be working on? What is your feedback? Etc. I will be adding clips of my match highlights and/or full matches to this thread to chronicle my journey. Maybe I will even get that "5.0" serve.

Also, if anyone in the Mid Atlantic wants to play and experience my game first hand, let me know and I would be happy to set something up! Would love the feedback. (Although I mostly play doubles now. Pretty lazy. Maybe that is something I should work on.)

It would be easier to judge if you posted just singles and maybe also some drills so people can see all of your shots.
- Good kinetic chain on the GSs, especially the BH.
- Good movement and balance
- Serve: unstable. You kick your dominant right leg out towards the net, which is an indication of your balance being off; normally, the back leg kicks behind the server as a counter-balance to the server moving forward. The fact that your leg is kicking forward implies you're falling backward somewhat.

 

[dsp9753]

Thanks, I have noticed my serve is weird and I am falling backwards into the court. That alone is probably taking a ton and spin off of my serve. I need to figure out a way to fall into/forward into my serve.

I will try to post some other videos but I haven't played singles for a like a year!

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

This seems like a joke post/video. Anyway, if I stood 2 feet to the right of you and maybe 2 feet in front of you, bent over, and waited for you to serve, you would kick me very hard in the butt, if you are the guy in all black during the last mixed doubles match.

If serious, play as many singles matches at 4.5 as you can, if it's gonna happen, that's the key, doubles is hard to move up and down in rating.

 

[ptuanminh]

Cool stuff. You are like my doppelganger. We are of similar height, move well. I started playing with OHBH too, later i switched to 2HBH. You seem to be very comfie on BH side, so am i.
I dont see you come to the net all that much. I used to hate being at the net. But now i love it, i try to come to the net whenever i have a chance. You should try it more. It will make your game more aggressive.
Your serve is definitely will be exploited at 4.5. So you have your work cut out for you there.

 

[dsp9753]

This seems like a joke post/video. Anyway, if I stood 2 feet to the right of you and maybe 2 feet in front of you, bent over, and waited for you to serve, you would kick me very hard in the butt, if you are the guy in all black during the last mixed doubles match.

If serious, play as many singles matches at 4.5 as you can, if it's gonna happen, that's the key, doubles is hard to move up and down in rating.

I have pretty much only moved up only playing USTA doubles. I played maybe 4-5 singles matches over the past 2 years!

 

[dsp9753]

Cool stuff. You are like my doppelganger. We are of similar height, move well. I started playing with OHBH too, later i switched to 2HBH. You seem to be very comfie on BH side, so am i.
I dont see you come to the net all that much. I used to hate being at the net. But now i love it, i try to come to the net whenever i have a chance. You should try it more. It will make your game more aggressive.
Your serve is definitely will be exploited at 4.5. So you have your work cut out for you there.

I am not super aggressive coming up to the net. I find myself usually waiting for the "optimal" approach shot. I feel comfortable at the net, but not getting there. Turns out I am not very good at those half volleys.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

I have pretty much only moved up only playing USTA doubles. I played maybe 4-5 singles matches over the past 2 years!

That's interesting! I've managed to "hide" not on purpose, but have undefeated doubles seasons in league play (#1 doubles position only, but of course some opponents swap #3 and #1 teams for strategy) even with some playoff wins and not move up, while teammates playing singles only go round and round up and down every season.

 

[GeoffHYL]

From watching your videos, your BH volley is your biggest weakness. You need to get more comfortable at net, anticipate where the shot is going, and be ready to hit instead of reacting after the ball is over the net.

 

[dsp9753]

I have a mixed match tonight. I will try to serve more forward into the court today.

 

[IowaGuy]

Serve is ~4.0.

IMHO, your serve is biggest liability in trying to improve to 5.0, at least in singles.

Have you ever played a singles match against a 5.0? If so, that should tell you a lot right there...

 

[red rook]

Easiest thing to see...serve -> you got to get inside the court when you land. Toss more forward and swing up like you’re throwing a shot put.

 

[giantschwinn]

Hard to see your level in mixed doubles. Difference between 4.5 and 5 is in the movement and court coverage. What’s your UTR?

 

[TennisDawg]

You’ve set a very high goal for yourself. I’m not criticizing that you want to reach 5.0 but you seem to be in a big hurry. One obvious problem I see is your serve. I you fall backwards at times and have a side kick which will limit getting to a 5.0 unless you totally rebuild it. Muscle memory has engrained so ut will take time to unlearn it. That will mean getting some lessons as soon as you can. If you’re on a budget than decide how important getting a 5.0 serve is and manage to pay for it somehow. I only say that because of your dream to be a 5.0. Your forehand also needs lessons from a professional at times you bunt the ball and then return a moon ball, overall you don’t hit it with authority. I think your progress in so far as getting to 4.0 is largely attributable to your agility and speed. In a match you probably retrieve a lot of balls that frustrates opponents. I mean that as a positive. Don’t take my advice as negative. I recommend some quality private lessons with a good instructor that understands your goals. After a half dozen lessons if he’s honest ask him to give you his honest opinion. I think this forum has some good posters that offer sincere advice and actually understand stroke mechanics. So while this forum can be useful you may also get bad advice that will waste your energy. I wouldn’t make it my go-to if you have a definite goal in mind, like reaching USTA 5.0. So find a good teacher and get private lessons.

 

[ReopeningWed]

Are you hoping to be a strong 5.0 or break into 5.0 with a computer rating? I suggest playing lots of tournaments and follow TennisTim's Youtube channel, he talks about how he figured out it was important for him to forget about the rating and just focus on the process of improving all the time.

 

[pats300zx1]

Are you hoping to be a strong 5.0 or break into 5.0 with a computer rating? I suggest playing lots of tournaments and follow TennisTim's Youtube channel, he talks about how he figured out it was important for him to forget about the rating and just focus on the process of improving all the time.

I loved his YT channel but he hasn't posted in a while....

 

[dsp9753]

Haha my last couple of matches, the players didnt want me to post the match. I have been doing a bunch of social matches inbetween and I did not bother to record that. I was going to record my other USTA matches, but they cancelled all the matches in my area. So I guess I will need to start recording my social matches. Men's season was going to start soon so I was hoping I could start recording that but with USTA cancelled, I will need to plan my own matches now.

I am not really in a rush to get to 5.0, but it has been a life goal for me. I didn't really put a date/time to it. I hit 4.5 this year and I guess I am playing the best I have ever played? And I feel like there is still room for improvement.

1. Fitness
2. Serve

A couple of 5.0s have told me that it is possible for me to be a 5.0 singles player if I really get my fitness down. I am already relatively quick but I am overweight. If I cut my weight down, I could probably play some type of retriever/defensive baseline to get to 5.0 in their opinion.

My goal is just to break into 5.0 computer rating (by earning it by consistently beating other 4.5s. Not by ratings shenanigans like playing up to 5.0 and stealing games here and there.)

 

[dsp9753]

And the pros I play with and friends with have pretty much said, my fitness is probably more important then my serve to hit 5.0. Said my serve while not amazing, will not be a huge detriment in singles matches. I haven't played any 4.5 singles matches so I am not sure. I have played a bunch of 4.5 men's matches and I have been able to hold my serve consistently but I always need to fight for them. I know there are other 4.5 guys who hold their serves easily.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

I know most people are hating on the serve, I think it's ok, it's not the only reason 5.0 might be hard, but it is probably the most evident part of your game that is, well, it's the easiest thing to criticize by watching that video. I understand and acknowledge that becoming a 5.0 isn't your only goal, I'm just curious about discussing this in an abstract manner. I have a buddy that was recently bumped up to 5.0, he plays open tourneys, just about every single one offered, played 4.5 and won too many doubles matches, but also accumulated points on the tourney circuit. That combo bumped him up, He played high level division 3 tennis, so he has years of experience. He was a recent bump up to 5.0 in Dallas and will probably be bumped down, as what usually happens with him, after a season. That's who I envision rotating the 4.5-5.0 level. Like I said our singles guys who were 25-28 years old and didn't stop playing after playing division 2 tennis, upon graduation, also rotate 4.5-5.0. The ones hanging out and staying 5.0 played for Texas Tech, UT, OU, maybe other division ones, and even some guys from Baylor's team that won the national championship. Those are guys that all have about 20-30 years of non-stop tennis behind them. What are the 5.0 players around the rest of the country like?

Being bumped to 5.0 is simply a matter of winning enough 4.5 matches or playing up and beating 5.0 players, the key would be finding the right combination. Still, curious about other's experiences in their leagues (as I usually am)....

 

[dsp9753]

Ok, I played a singles match against ballbag and the results are here. Like I have said previously, I don't play alot of singles even for fun, my last usta singles match was almost 2 years ago. So going into this, I felt very nervous and anxious. I don't think I played consistently and hit the ball as well as I can. I just couldnt calm down and my consistency and serve all felt very off. Also, serving from the T was throwing me off a lot as well. I think once I start playing a lot of singles, these things will come back to me slowly. I just need to play enough singles to feel relaxed and calm. Also, my fitness was an issue as well as I felt tired and out of breath the entire time. My targets were also off, when I felt like I was going for my shots, a lot of them starting to go into the alley. Too used to doubles!

 

[pats300zx1]

Ok, I played a singles match against ballbag and the results are here. Like I have said previously, I don't play alot of singles even for fun, my last usta singles match was almost 2 years ago. So going into this, I felt very nervous and anxious. I don't think I played consistently and hit the ball as well as I can. I just couldnt calm down and my consistency and serve all felt very off. Also, serving from the T was throwing me off a lot as well. I think once I start playing a lot of singles, these things will come back to me slowly. I just need to play enough singles to feel relaxed and calm. Also, my fitness was an issue as well as I felt tired and out of breath the entire time. My targets were also off, when I felt like I was going for my shots, a lot of them starting to go into the alley. Too used to doubles!

Great match. I started following your YT

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

@dsp9753 - you looked calm from where I sit. I thought you two had great rallies. You were patient, didn't try to force shots, moved the ball around.

For a doubles player, I thought you would have come to the net more.

You also didn't draw @BallBag into the net to test his volleys/OHs but maybe you already know they're good.

 

[BallBag]

@dsp9753 - you looked calm from where I sit. I thought you two had great rallies. You were patient, didn't try to force shots, moved the ball around.

For a doubles player, I thought you would have come to the net more.

You also didn't draw @BallBag into the net to test his volleys/OHs but maybe you already know they're good.

Yeah, they are so amazing I stayed back after hitting most approach shots.

Like dsp said, kinda of a weird match for me too. Felt off the whole time and I'm not sure why. I want a rematch.

 

[dsp9753]

@dsp9753 - you looked calm from where I sit. I thought you two had great rallies. You were patient, didn't try to force shots, moved the ball around.

For a doubles player, I thought you would have come to the net more.

You also didn't draw @BallBag into the net to test his volleys/OHs but maybe you already know they're good.

Haha, I think having the cover the entire net made it too daunting for me. In doubles when you approach, they either hit the ball right to you or your partner. In singles, I feel like there is so much net to cover. Not sure what the best way to approach would be?

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Haha, I think having the cover the entire net made it too daunting for me. In doubles when you approach, they either hit the ball right to you or your partner. In singles, I feel like there is so much net to cover. Not sure what the best way to approach would be?

You do have a lot more net to cover. But your opponent also has to be more precise with his passer because if he's not and you can volley it, he doesn't have a partner to cover that ball.

As an inveterate net crasher, I look for/do the following:
- Any ball which allows me to take a couple of steps inside the BL [there are exceptions: I've been way behind the BL but hit a good lob/moonball and when I realized my opponent was going to be driven back, I scurried to the net]

- When hitting my approach from nearer to the sideline, I approach DTL: it minimizes the distance I have to move laterally to get to an optimum spot [one that bisects his possible responses]. The exception is if going CC allows me to attack his weaker shot

- I approach with low, deep slice [ideally]: this is very difficult to hit a passer off of. Hitting short also can work. Anything to make them hit up to make my volley easier.

- On a short, higher sitter, I'll hit TS, usually to one side or the other to try and stretch him out

Don't overlook the DTM approach also, particularly against flat hitters because it's harder for them to generate the TS needed to make use of the angles.

I view my approach as a setup shot; much of the time, even my first volley is a setup shot. I'm looking to encourage my opponent to make errors or give up a sitter by putting them in difficult positions. If they hit a great passer, so be it: can they consistently do that the entire match? Obviously, some opponents can.

And get ready for the lob [but as a doubles specialist, that should be a pretty good shot for you].

 

[Ft.S]

Yeah, they are so amazing I stayed back after hitting most approach shots.

Like dsp said, kinda of a weird match for me too. Felt off the whole time and I'm not sure why. I want a rematch.

What may have been the issue is outdoors play. I think we are so used to playing indoors, in MoCo especially, the outdoors take some getting used to. That specific day there was a bit of breeze as well, which was almost constantly changing direction. Looking at the vids, you guys were missing some neutral groundstrokes, and knowing your games, you guys don't miss those almost ever. Same with your serves. The videos don't do justice to your serves in general, for either of you. Both of your serves are far better in terms of placement and pace than particularly what this latest vid is showing.

 

[BallBag]

What may have been the issue is outdoors play. I think we are so used to playing indoors, in MoCo especially, the outdoors take some getting used to. That specific day there was a bit of breeze as well, which was almost constantly changing direction. Looking at the vids, you guys were missing some neutral groundstrokes, and knowing your games, you guys don't miss those almost ever. Same with your serves. The videos don't do justice to your serves in general, for either of you. Both of your serves are far better in terms of placement and pace than particularly what this latest vid is showing.

I think the video was representative of my serve that day. Its probably playing outdoors and not playing much leading up to that match. The serve goes away really quick if I dont play for a while, at least for me.

 

[nicklane1]

Ok, I played a singles match against ballbag and the results are here. Like I have said previously, I don't play alot of singles even for fun, my last usta singles match was almost 2 years ago. So going into this, I felt very nervous and anxious. I don't think I played consistently and hit the ball as well as I can. I just couldnt calm down and my consistency and serve all felt very off. Also, serving from the T was throwing me off a lot as well. I think once I start playing a lot of singles, these things will come back to me slowly. I just need to play enough singles to feel relaxed and calm. Also, my fitness was an issue as well as I felt tired and out of breath the entire time. My targets were also off, when I felt like I was going for my shots, a lot of them starting to go into the alley. Too used to doubles!

Thanks for sharing. Most people don't have the courage or patience to face critique of their game, especially from trolls. Kudos to ballbag too.

 

[dsp9753]

I recently got a lesson on how to hit neutral volleys better. From the beginning to the end, I think I was making some improvements but I will need to hit 1000s of balls to really get it down.