Phoenix Area Players - help with tourneys

[bluetrain4]

I will be traveling to the Phoenix area to visit my parents, sometime between Feb. 10 and March 15. I'd like my trip to coincide with a tennis tournament. My parents live in Mesa.

I'm a 35 years old and a NTRP 4.0 or 4.5

I found the following tournaments:
1. USTA Central Arizona Adult Age Division Super Set Event - Feb 23, Scottsdale
2. USTA Central Arizona NTRP Super Set Event - Feb 24, Mesa
3. Winter Grand Canyon State Games - Feb 29, March 1-2, Scottsdale
4. Eric Joachim Memorial NTRP & Open Tournament - March 13-16, Mesa

Does anyone know anything about these tourneys. I looked up the Winter State Games and the Eric Joachim tourney from last year and they both had 7-player draws, with consolation. Guaranteed two matches is great.

Also, I would say that I'm an NTRP 4.5. But, I'm still a 4.0 in the USTA database from when I returned to tennis 3 years ago after a couple of years away. I beat all of the 4.0s where I live (Springfield, Illiniois), and have won about a third of my matches against other 4.5s (both in my area and outside). But, the Middle District of Illinois is about as far from a tennis hotbed as one could get, so I'm worried that I'm overrated (in my head) compared to 4.5s from tennis locales such as SoCal, Phoenix, Atlanta, Florida.

I don't care about winning, I just want good matches,win or lose. So, I'm not sure whether to play 4.0 (assuming that 4.0 quality is subsantively higher in Phoenix than in Springfield), or 4.5. Any thoughts on NTRP ratings in Phoenix?

Thanks

 

[goober]

The superset tourneys are new this year. They are one afternoon affairs where you play 3-4 people one set each. It is a more for fun deal rather than a serious tourney.

Winter Grand canyon State games are 8 game pro sets matches with consolations for first round losers. There will be age group and NTRP. Because of the set up many people play both NTRP and age group.

Eric Joachim Memorial I am not 100% sure is going to happen this year. The Alta Vista tennis club they had it at last year closed. They may move venues. It typically is a pretty small tourney.

I would say that the competitions at these specific tourneys will be lower than the other larger tourneys in the area so I would not worry about that too much.

 

[bluetrain4]

The superset tourneys are new this year. They are one afternoon affairs where you play 3-4 people one set each. It is a more for fun deal rather than a serious tourney.

Winter Grand canyon State games are 8 game pro sets matches with consolations for first round losers. There will be age group and NTRP. Because of the set up many people play both NTRP and age group.

Eric Joachim Memorial I am not 100% sure is going to happen this year. The Alta Vista tennis club they had it at last year closed. They may move venues. It typically is a pretty small tourney.

I would say that the competitions at these specific tourneys will be lower than the other larger tourneys in the area so I would not worry about that too much.

Thanks so much, that is very helpful. In terms of flights, the Winter Grand Canyon State Games are looking like the best bet so far. Just looking to get some tournament play during the long winter. Doesn't have to be that serious. My parents wouldn't mind hanging out in Scottsdale while I play.

What are the "larger" tourneys in the area that you refer to? Do any take place within my time frame?

Again, thanks.

 

[goober]

Thanks so much, that is very helpful. In terms of flights, the Winter Grand Canyon State Games are looking like the best bet so far. Just looking to get some tournament play during the long winter. Doesn't have to be that serious. My parents wouldn't mind hanging out in Scottsdale while I play.

What are the "larger" tourneys in the area that you refer to? Do any take place within my time frame?

Again, thanks.

The larger NTRP tourneys will not occur in that time frame. Since you are staying till 3/15. I would definitely check out the The Jason Morton Tennis Classic in Sun Lakes (3/5-9). That is about 15-20 minute drive from Mesa. It is a level II age group tourney. Last year they had around 170 people sign up.

I will probably play in 2 of those tourneys during that time I am guessing.

 

[bluetrain4]

The larger NTRP tourneys will not occur in that time frame. Since you are staying till 3/15. I would definitely check out the The Jason Morton Tennis Classic in Sun Lakes (3/5-9). That is about 15-20 minute drive from Mesa. It is a level II age group tourney. Last year they had around 170 people sign up.

I will probably play in 2 of those tourneys during that time I am guessing.

Thanks. I saw the Sun Lakes tourney on Tennislink, but really didn't know where Sun Lakes was. I figured it was on west side of the metro over by Sun City. But it looks like it's down by Gilbert and Chandler, pretty close to Mesa. And my parents go down to those cities a lot anyway. I'll have to check that out too before deciding when to take my vacation.

 

[Fay]

ThanX

I am just starting tournaments and live in Flagstaff and didn't understand all of the terminology like super set ... appreciate the info !
cheers, Fay

 

[Roger Federer 95]

I am just starting tournaments and live in Flagstaff and didn't understand all of the terminology like super set ... appreciate the info !
cheers, Fay

I am also just starting tournaments and live in Tucson, and don't know how to enter tournaments, or how to find them online. Any help would be greatly Appreciated. Thanks!

 

[goober]

I am also just starting tournaments and live in Tucson, and don't know how to enter tournaments, or how to find them online. Any help would be greatly Appreciated. Thanks!

Go to the USTA website (USTA.com) and join as a member. Then click on tournaments and find all the tournaments in your area for a given month. You can sign up online.

I would also check out the Randolph tennis center in Tuscon. They have a lot of nonUSTA tourneys and leagues going on.

 

[goober]

bluetrain4- I see you are signed you for one of the tourneys. I won't be playing but if you are up for hitting another time you can email me through my TW cp.

 

[MIGHTY MANFRED THE WONDER]

Roger Federer 95

These guys are talking ADULT tourneys- The "knee braces and aspercreme" set- aka- "the sugar substitute group" Not for you.

Pull up USTA SOUTHWEST and find contact us: section, Jr. Player development is a guy named Eric Mitchell, he will send you the 2008 handbook and tournamenmt schedule ASAP

 

[goober]

Roger Federer 95

These guys are talking ADULT tourneys- The "knee braces and aspercreme" set- aka- "the sugar substitute group" Not for you.

LOL you forgot our granny sticks, Depends and junkball game.

This is the adult section. You kiddies can scurry along

 

[bluetrain4]

bluetrain4- I see you are signed you for one of the tourneys. I won't be playing but if you are up for hitting another time you can email me through my TW cp.

I didn't see this message until after my trip. I would have loved to have hit.

I had a great time playing the Grand Canyon State Winter Games. The facility in Scottsdale was great and the weather was fantastic.

I was going to play Mens 30s and NTRP 4.5, but no one signed up. So, I played Mens Open (lost second round) and NTRP 4.0 (runner up). I few guys said they dropped down from 4.5, to play 4.0 From what I could tell, the guy I played in the semis and the guy I played in the final, like me, could win about a third of their matches at 4.5.

All in all, I played five matches in three days. I couldn't really ask for more. In the 4.0 final, I lost 4-6, 6-3, 0-1 (5-7). I thought it was weird that they didn't play a super tiebreak to 10. I asked multiple times, but they insisted on a regular tie break to 7.

It was very challenging playing outdoors after being indoors all winter. Couldn't really get the serve going, but that's no excuse. I won fair and square and lost fair and square.

Really pleased with the event. If I play next year, I'll definitely email you to hit.

Thanks again.

 

[Fay]

I played at a SuperSet in Phoenix ... it was great .... got another tournament in Sedona this weekend. Yippee!

 

[goober]

I played at a SuperSet in Phoenix ... it was great .... got another tournament in Sedona this weekend. Yippee!

The Sedona tourney is nonUSTA I presume? There's another superset this weekend but since you are in Flagstaff I am sure you would rather go to Sedona. Have fun.

 

[Fay]

yes it is a benefit for cancer tourny. I don't mind driving to Phoenix and had a great time in Feb. will play more down there ...and THANKS! There is another one at the clay courts mid April '08.