playing up in tournaments?

[Blade0324]

So I have a good friend that is a 5.0 player and has asked me to play in an upcoming tournament for some fun. I am a player that just got bumped from 3.5 to 4.5 with this year end ratings. I regularly can beat many 4.0 players in singles and have played against some 4.5 doubles teams and done pretty well with another friend that was the top 4.0 in our state in tournaments last year and was moved to 4.5 also.
My 5.0 friend is a really strong player at this level for doubles as a former top D1 college player and played some pro events in his early 20's (he's now 44).

Do you think it would be an insult to other players in the tournament for us to team up and play 5.0? We are going to work with other 5.0 players for practice over the next 3 weeks or so to get in sync and work on my return game against bigger serves too. I want to play it but don't want to get on the court and look completely stupid. I appreciate your thoughts!!

 

[ssgator80]

Play. Who cares what your the other team thinks. If you dont belong up there, it will so in the scores. But you wil never know till you try.

 

[fruitytennis1]

I agree with ss

 

[kevsaenz]

most people in tournaments play up. In singles at least people who are 5.0 and up usually play open.

 

[Blade0324]

I'm liking the input. I really want to play this and think it will be fun. My expectations are low as long as I can play my best. Keep any input coming, especially from players in the 4.5-5.o range.

 

[pgreg]

It's how you get better. You have nothing to lose.

 

[burosky]

Why would they be insulted? It's not the first time someone played up. I have even seen a 3.5 join an Open level tournament in singles!

 

[Blade0324]

Hey all want to bump this thread and see if there is any other input.
I play my first round tonight against two 4.5 players that are playing up at 5.0.
I'm sure I'm going to get picked on quite a bit but really expect that so I will hopefully be ready. Like I said originally my partner is a pretty high level player that played D1 college and some tour events about 20 years ago. Are we going to pi$$ people off?

 

[marsh]

No more of an insult than for you to be playing 3.5 when you regularly beat 4.0s.

 

[Ripper014]

Just play... and be happy that you have someone that thinks enough of you to take you into battle at 5.0. You will find out very quickly if you belong... it might not be reflected in the score... but you will know if your game can match up in the heat of battle.

Just enjoy the process... you pay to play... and if belong great if you don't I am sure your opponents don't really care... they will move on in the draw.

 

[Yaz]

Don't worry about it - go out there and have fun. If you got bumped up to 4.5 you must be a pretty solid player so I'm sure you will hold your own and then some. Don't get intimidated and try to force it...stay loose and play within yourself and you should do fine. Have a plan with your partner so he knows what to expect as well. Good luck in your match!

 

[OrangePower]

Hey all want to bump this thread and see if there is any other input.
I play my first round tonight against two 4.5 players that are playing up at 5.0.
I'm sure I'm going to get picked on quite a bit but really expect that so I will hopefully be ready. Like I said originally my partner is a pretty high level player that played D1 college and some tour events about 20 years ago. Are we going to pi$$ people off?

You'll be fine. I have a friend who is a 4.5 mostly singles player. He's played a few 5.0 doubles tournaments with another 4.5. They usually win a match and then lose their second. So don't expect to do great but you're not doing anything to be frowned on.

 

[Blade0324]

So the results are in and my partner and I made it through the tourney and lost in the finals to a very solid team that are both 5.0 players. A really good match 4-6,5-7 loss.
That said I'm very happy with how I managed to hold up overall. I guess I have some work to do still but I also know what areas I have to work on.

 

[OrangePower]

Well done!

 

[LeeD]

Yeah, for you to improve, you have to stretch it a bit and play better players.
That is a different philosophy than trophy hunting. TH, you play down to collect as many trophies as possible, at the expense of getting better at tennis. Oh, you DO get better playing down, but it's more mental toughness than stroke production.

 

[goran_ace]

In a tournament, if I were your opponent, I really wouldn't care if you were playing up. While the match is in progress you are just another opponent that I need to beat. After the match is over, its just history and I am too preoccupied thinking about the next match to even think about 'did that guy really belong in this division?'.

In a tournament, I'm looking to win, and to do it as quickly as possible. I'm not looking to be challenged and pushed to the brink in every match. I like routine wins in the first round or two so I can gradually ramp up my level of play for the semi's or the finals.

So go ahead and play hard with no reservations aobut it. It should be a good learning experience for you. You belong on that court as much as anyone else.