How to Play More Singles?

[EggSalad]

Like many older Rec players, I played seriously growing up, took a break and have come back to tennis in my 40s.

What I’ve learned is that I really don’t care for USTA doubles. I mean, it’s fine but I’d rather just play singles.

What is the best path to take to accomplish this? Become the singles guy on my USTA team (kind of already happened) ditch USTA and play tournaments? Are there singles leagues?

Ideally I’d like to play 4.0 singles only with the goal of bumping up to 4.5 singles.

 

[nyc]

Contact your local league coordinator about the USTA Flexleagues, alternatively see if there's UTR leagues nearby

 

[kevin qmto]

I joined a USTA 4.0 league for the first time this year. The team I’m on is full of older guys in their 40s-50s, and none of them really want to play singles so that works out for me. So maybe ask around to find teams looking for singles players?

 

[beltsman]

Like many older Rec players, I played seriously growing up, took a break and have come back to tennis in my 40s.

What I’ve learned is that I really don’t care for USTA doubles. I mean, it’s fine but I’d rather just play singles.

What is the best path to take to accomplish this? Become the singles guy on my USTA team (kind of already happened) ditch USTA and play tournaments? Are there singles leagues?

Ideally I’d like to play 4.0 singles only with the goal of bumping up to 4.5 singles.

Find flex leagues other than USTA. UTR, Tennis League Network, etc.

 

[FuzzyYellowBalls]

Where do you live is key, a many areas in the USA are failing to make singles brackets in tournaments, as in the tournaments that offer singles have no one sign up. Huge cities, like larger than 1 million people are still chugging along, there you can play UTR and USTA singles. And yes, a Usta league team will often need singles players, that will get you 5-7 matches of singles.

 

[Moveforwardalways]

1. If you prefer to play singles only, you will be in high demand by USTA 4.0 teams, at both 18+ and 40+. Even if you don’t win frequently, many teams struggle to fill singles courts and will put you out there at singles so they can fill the doubles courts with their core group of guys. Downside is that you will likely never break in to their core group.

2. Play UTR flex leagues and/or tournaments. These will not count for your USTA rating, and will not serve to count toward your goal of playing 4.5 USTA singles, but you will still get quality matches.

 

[ShaunS]

Just to reinforce what the others have said, singles players were in short supply for every USTA league team I've been on for a decade. And it's only gotten worse the last few years.

I've played doubles almost exclusively since I was in high school. I enjoy winning as a team much more, and singles tennis tends to much more stressful for me. Admittedly, as the pool of singles players has continued to shrink, I've started playing more of it. I'm afraid this won't help you precisely, but I simply setup a weekly "permanent court time" with one of my regular doubles partners. We're on a similar level, and we know how to exploit each others weaknesses so it forces us to improve.

Since I've been playing in the same area for a long time, I've built up quite a collection of people who're usually wanting to play much more frequently than I am. With that in mind, you might try checking with some locals who've been around, and see if they've got some people's contacts they could share.

One other possibility might be with local clubs. Our local tennis center is often running singles ladders in late Fall/Winter, and that usually transitions to an outdoor, informal session during the warmer months.

 

[JustTennis76]

I agree with @Moveforwardalways , I am rated 5.0 USTA but have many friends at 4.0 level their teams are always looking for singles players and there is separate FB groups locally that people post looking for singles players on their teams.
You could also play flex leagues or T2 tennis leagues locally if they offer one. Good luck

 

[Max G.]

I find that in a lot of places, there's pretty vibrant local singles flex leagues or ladders. Over the years I've played, Ultimate Tennis, UTR flex leagues, gladiator tennis, night owl, san jose tennis leagues, and an endless amount of others. They're local so you need to look around where you are, but those seem like the place to be for year-round singles.

They don't feed in to USTA ratings though, so if that's what you're aiming for that won't help.

 

[FiddlerDog]

First step, don't waste your time with USTA leagues.
Find more serious players who play singles.
Join a local club

 

[nyta2]

see if there's a local ladder? (there is by me in ny 'burbs)... or start one yourself!

 

[Cashman]

The most reliable way to play a lot of singles is to find yourself a ladder. The rules vary a bit but here is a pretty basic outline:

Play+Stay - Ladder Formats

Ladders are good because they’re flexible - want more matches, issue more challenges. Play the matches whenever and wherever you like. My local ladder allows a two week window for responding to a challenge, so it’s pretty easy to work around commitments.

Have a Google around in your area, I am sure there is one operating near you.

 

[Moon Shooter]

Asked people at your local tennis clubs if they have any singles groups.

I went to clinics and got to know people about my level and asked if they are interested in singles matches. Get enough of them and start your own group. I use the "groupme" app.

I started one and ask the players to post their scores in UTR. It will be an unverified rating but it still works.

Singles is nice because it is easier to schedule.

I have also found matches using "playyourcourt."

 

[FiddlerDog]

The key is LOCAL.

Join the local tennis club.
Then join the internal singles league.
Also, you can even join singles leagues at clubs of which you are not a member.
These are self-selected groups who are serious about tennis.
Once you play a few players, they will introduce you to their hitting circles.

You can also meet new guys via USTA matches, but you need to be proactive about it.
The better you are, and the more impressive your game looks, the easier it is to "cold call" players.

You can also meet guys from coaches you take lessons from.
Also, meet new people in clinics, but clinics are typically filled with lost cause hackers.
Because clinics are a massive waste of time and money.

Do this for a couple of years, and your phone will be full.
At some point, I stopped collecting new contacts since I had way more contacts than days I want to play.

The best advice is to be very wary of injuries.
You will get injured. Not if, but when.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

One thing no one has mentioned yet: go out to the local courts and practice against the wall [if one exists] or practice serving. You'll get a chance to scope out other players and vice versa. Additionally, It's one way to break the "I can't find anyone to hit with" problem. I've met multiple hitting partners this way.

 

[travlerajm]

One thing no one has mentioned yet: go out to the local courts and practice against the wall [if one exists] or practice serving. You'll get a chance to scope out other players and vice versa. Additionally, It's one way to break the "I can't find anyone to hit with" problem. I've met multiple hitting partners this way.

I’ve met multiple walls this way.

 

[Connor35]

Where do you live? Is there an ultimate tennis league near you?

I've played those in south Florida & it's also a good way to meet other singles players.

 

[beltsman]

I find that in a lot of places, there's pretty vibrant local singles flex leagues or ladders. Over the years I've played, Ultimate Tennis, UTR flex leagues, gladiator tennis, night owl, san jose tennis leagues, and an endless amount of others. They're local so you need to look around where you are, but those seem like the place to be for year-round singles.

They don't feed in to USTA ratings though, so if that's what you're aiming for that won't help.

Many feed UTR though

 

[ChaelAZ]

Leagues through USTA are excellent for meeting folks. Some forum hacks never get on teams becuase people just get sick of their self-righteous BS how they continue to think they are somehow better than they are. You'll be able to spot them pretty easy.

UTR Flex leagues is also a great area. Find some advanced clinics and classes and just start getting numbers of players you gel with to hit and play. If you have a local club you are in or familiar with, see if they have a hit list, which is where you have your name to call if someone of X- level is looking for a match of practice. I did that for years and met all kinds of folks that were visiting, just moved to town, etc. Just had them give me the name of a person looking for a 4.0 team, so I am hitting with him soon.

Lots of social events too are always good to do.

Lots of places!

 

[Chalkdust]

Agree with what others are saying. USTA is not great for singles.

Depending on your area, many if not most singles players don't even participate in USTA but will instead play flex leagues or just arrange their own matches. This is the case for me and the guys I know. I play with maybe 15-20 different guys ranging from high 4.0 / borderline 4.5 through to mid 5.0 level, and out of those maybe 3 or 4 play USTA, the rest just flex leagues and arranged matches.

 

[socallefty]

If you are willing to drive far, UTR has Flex leagues in many urban counties and so does USTA, but they seem to have less participation. If you want to stay locally and meet a lot of good singles players, join a local tennis club.

 

[EggSalad]

Thanks for all the feedback. I actually belong to a local club and am playing USTA (and volunteered to play all singles). Im going to look into the UTR option and some of the other recs. I appreciate everyone’s input.

 

[heftylefty]

Thanks for all the feedback. I actually belong to a local club and am playing USTA (and volunteered to play all singles). Im going to look into the UTR option and some of the other recs. I appreciate everyone’s input.

I am currently in a UTR Flex Singles League. I thinks it's a good alternative for singles play. My experience was been there is wide range on the age and play level.

 

[Blade0324]

Like many older Rec players, I played seriously growing up, took a break and have come back to tennis in my 40s.

What I’ve learned is that I really don’t care for USTA doubles. I mean, it’s fine but I’d rather just play singles.

What is the best path to take to accomplish this? Become the singles guy on my USTA team (kind of already happened) ditch USTA and play tournaments? Are there singles leagues?

Ideally I’d like to play 4.0 singles only with the goal of bumping up to 4.5 singles.

Unfortunately you are in the huge minority! There are very few guys in their 40’s or older that really want to play singles!

 

[EggSalad]

Unfortunately you are in the huge minority! There are very few guys in their 40’s or older that really want to play singles!

I am learning this on a daily basis. I’m surprised there isn’t a bigger audience for 40+ singles.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I am learning this on a daily basis. I’m surprised there isn’t a bigger audience for 40+ singles.

One word: "Injuries."

 

[TennisCJC]

In Atlanta, we have T2Tennis.com and UltimateTennis.com internet leagues and they both offer singles, doubles and mixed doubles. They are based on USTA ranking systems 3.5, 4.0-, 4.0, 4.5-, 4.5, 5.0-, 5.0, ... I think UltimateTennis is in a few other cities too. You can check to see if they are in your area. If not, you could try USTA flighted tournaments but unless you live in big city, you'll likely have to commute to get to the tournaments.

 

[TennisCJC]

Unfortunately you are in the huge minority! There are very few guys in their 40’s or older that really want to play singles!

I'm 65 and still enjoy singles but I like doubles equally as much. Admittedly, it is much more difficult for older singles players. I lose a few matches to players that have less sound strokes when they are young and fast and can move me around side to side. You are correct too in that I struggle with minor physical issues but nothing severe enough to stop me.