if you were a captain, would you hate me for not wanting to play singles?

[randomname]

Well, I've just recently come out of the juniors (I aged up in the middle of my first year of college) and while I'm sad that im done with all the tournaments and travel, im looking forward to league play over the summer. anyway, from the few adults i've hit with, I'd put myself as a very strong 3.5 (a 4.0 on my best days) and I think im gonna sign up for a 3.5 team that plays out of my club. anyway, from what i've gathered most of the older guys on league teams dread the singles spot and look for younger guys to fill them. I'm also a much better singles player than doubles player but the problem is I want to practice my doubles, do you think it would be too much to ask to put me in for doubles when theres a good chance of my losing instead of singles with a good chance of me winning?

 

[travlerajm]

If you want to practice doubles, enter a tournament.

League tennis is about doing whatever it takes to give your team the best chance to win. Unless your captain has specifically told the team before the season that the goal is just have fun and not worry about winning, it's his job to field the most competitive team he can. That means that you probably should play singles in league play, and leave the doubles to the crafty slow old guys with better skills. Playing doubles would be selfish in your case.

 

[tennisee]

Wow - how about "League tennis is about enjoying competitive and sportsmanlike play in a sport we love. It is about learning from one's team-mates, taking the advice of older players, encouraging the younger, contributing to the team, staying healthy, and benefiting the league and hence the sport in general. It is about learning, increasing your skills, and keeping things in perspective."

 

[Topaz]

Well, I can understand them wanting you to play singles, and even you admit you are a better singles player than dubs. Why don't you say you'll play a few singles, but only if you also get equal doubles time? They could put you at singles for the matches against 'stronger' teams, and save their other, weaker guys for other matches.

And, if you came up from juniors, you might have to rate at 4.0. I would check the rules on that before joining a team...just to make sure you don't end up getting DQ'd halfway through the season. (I know there is a rule about it, but I don't remember it right now, and I don't have time to look it up, sorry!)

 

[Cindysphinx]

Topaz is right. I think you sound like 4.0, for sure. I would join another team where there will be some singles specialists already.

Assuming this is not an option, you could tell your captain that you don't wish to play singles because you will likely get DQ'd. Since your doubles is weaker, 3.5 might be an OK level for you in doubles. Yes, yes, I know that USTA rating isn't supposed to work that way, but I'm assuming OP can't find a proper 4.0 team.

 

[tennis-n-sc]

Judging frm the juniors at my club, who aren't state or sectinal ranked, you are probably a 4.0. The ranked juniors at our club are 4.5, maybe even 5.0. It's scary.

On thing you'll probably learn about league tennis is that it is a team sport and, although there is room for individual work, the main thrust is for the team win. If you can't accept that, maybe you won't fit in that well with the old people. But it is tournamant season and you can probably play in a tournament each week in any event you desire, even two if you choose.

 

[spot]

It sounds like you will be one of the stronger players on the team. Before you join- tell the captain that you are looking forward to league tennis because you really want to work on your doubles game. To get you on the team I bet he assures you that you will play mostly doubles.

 

[goober]

No harm in asking to play doubles. Don't expect a yes answer though given the scenario you laid out.

Are there any doubles leagues around where you are? We have multiple nonUSTA leagues that are doubles only.

Also check drop-in tennis play. I have found that 90% time these are doubles affairs and rarely singles.

Another way to play doubles is join a higher level league where you will not be the best singles player.

 

[Geezer Guy]

... do you think it would be too much to ask to put me in for doubles when theres a good chance of my losing instead of singles with a good chance of me winning?

No harm in asking. Just be open and honest with your (potential) captain, and hopefully he'll be the same with you. He might be full-up of Singles players and looking for a Doubles specialist - you'd fit right in. If not, maybe you're not his best pick, and maybe you'd be happier on another team. Like any other team sport, you may WANT to play one position, but it may be better for the team if you play another position.

If you don't like it, stick to individual play.

 

[kevhen]

Most young guys want to play singles so you are rare. With 6 doubles spots open and only 2 singles it usually is easier to get a spot on a doubles team. Tell your captain you would like to play doubles first but will play singles if it would help the team. You have a lower chance of being bumped to 4.0 by playing doubles so your captain may benefit from having you play doubles and being able to keep you on the team another year or two.

 

[Raiden.Kaminari]

Well, I've just recently come out of the juniors (I aged up in the middle of my first year of college) and while I'm sad that im done with all the tournaments and travel, im looking forward to league play over the summer. anyway, from the few adults i've hit with, I'd put myself as a very strong 3.5 (a 4.0 on my best days) and I think im gonna sign up for a 3.5 team that plays out of my club. anyway, from what i've gathered most of the older guys on league teams dread the singles spot and look for younger guys to fill them. I'm also a much better singles player than doubles player but the problem is I want to practice my doubles, do you think it would be too much to ask to put me in for doubles when theres a good chance of my losing instead of singles with a good chance of me winning?

From your self description, you should put yourself at least a 4.0. If you were playing tournaments and travelling, and had a decent state ranking (or even a national ranking), that should put you at 4.5.

Remember, captains are looking for information regarding self-rated players, and if they find info that you were good enough for a ranking, you would be suspended for up to 1 year. The captain, co-captain, and players you partner with may also be suspended if the grievance committee is leaning towards punishing bad self-rates.

 

[JHBKLYN]

Sign up for a team that has strong singles players and you'll be playing doubles since singles players don't want to play doubles unless they have to.

 

[jkonecne]

Well depending on how the old people act(since I know some can be kinda strict), I'd say do what you want. Those kinds of things are just for fun anyway. Even if it is more serious, who cares. Bob Bryan was the NCAA singles champion and he chose to play doubles instead, and he plays for serious prize money!

 

[Z-Man]

I've gone through the same thing. If you want to improve your doubles, find a group of older guys who have a regular night to show up and play. You'll be amazed at how much you can learn about tennis from playing with guys who have been around a long time. I learned a lot of the most important concepts from two guys in their 70s. As you get older, you'll find fewer and fewer opportunities to play singles. Plus, doubles will improve your singles--especially your volleys, serves, returns, and passing shots.