Ladder advice please

[anubis]

Hi,

I joined my local community tennis ladder. There's currently about 155 ppl in the "Open Singles" ladder. I'm new to the whole ladder thing so I have a couple of questions:

1. I notice there are women on it. Is it OK to challenge them and is it OK for them to challenge me (a male)? I hit around with some women that are friends, but I didn't realize the genders were mixed in this ladder.

2. I really don't know where to start on this ladder. I'm not officially "on it" until I successfully complete one challenge. Once you're on, you're supposed to stay within 3 rungs.

I'm a 3.0 player and have been searching the names of the ppl on the bottom of the ladder (ranked 155 through 100) in USTA. Most of them are way above me. there are no 3.0's... maybe one or two 3.5 but the rest are 4.0 and 4.5, even in the bottom of the ladder.

I'd feel kinda silly challenging a 4.0 knowing I'll get my arse handed to me. If everyone is so good, how can I move up? Should I just play anyway? I want to be "honest" about this, knowing I'm not very good, i want to stay at the bottom where I belong and work my way up. So I guess I just challenge the last person #155 and see where I go?

Thanks.

 

[J_R_B]

Hi,

I joined my local community tennis ladder. There's currently about 155 ppl in the "Open Singles" ladder. I'm new to the whole ladder thing so I have a couple of questions:

1. I notice there are women on it. Is it OK to challenge them and is it OK for them to challenge me (a male)? I hit around with some women that are friends, but I didn't realize the genders were mixed in this ladder.

2. I really don't know where to start on this ladder. I'm not officially "on it" until I successfully complete one challenge. Once you're on, you're supposed to stay within 3 rungs.

I'm a 3.0 player and have been searching the names of the ppl on the bottom of the ladder (ranked 155 through 100) in USTA. Most of them are way above me. there are no 3.0's... maybe one or two 3.5 but the rest are 4.0 and 4.5, even in the bottom of the ladder.

I'd feel kinda silly challenging a 4.0 knowing I'll get my arse handed to me. If everyone is so good, how can I move up? Should I just play anyway? I want to be "honest" about this, knowing I'm not very good, i want to stay at the bottom where I belong and work my way up. So I guess I just challenge the last person #155 and see where I go?

Thanks.

1. If it's a mixed gender ladder, then challenging & playing women shouldn't be an issue. The players will be ranked by ability regardless of gender, so if there is a woman right ahead of you on the ladder, then challenge her and expect a close match.

2. I would start somewhere near the bottom and work your way up.

 

[floridatennisdude]

You're probably going to take some lumps, but it could be an opportunity to test yourself. Start wherever you feel comfortable. Some like to use these things to prove they are the best, others look for something competitive to their level. Just depends what you are looking to get out of it.

Personally, if I were a solid level below the players, I would start at the bottom and work up. Challenging the top guy and losing 0&0 in 30 minutes doesn't sound enjoyable to me and less enjoyable for him. I'd rather climb a spot at a time with players more near my level from the bottom.

The male vs female issue is a personal one. Some don't mind it and others see it as no-win. To each their own.

 

[anubis]

thanks everyone.