Question for singles players that have been bumped up

leech

Semi-Pro
I don't hate doubles to the point that I won't play it, but I much prefer to play singles. I started league tennis this year, and was fortunate enough to hook up with a 3.5 men's team that has allowed me to play a couple singles matches. I hope to continue, but there are 5 or 6 on our team interested in playing singles (the captain has organized a round-robin try-out of sorts next week for those interested in playing singles).

I think 3.5 is the right level for me, but if I happen to get bumped up next season, I suspect that it will be difficult to (1) latch on to a 4.0 team (I do not know very many people in the league scene yet, which I hope to change), and (2) be able to continue playing singles. I am guessing that the singles players at the next level are very difficult to compete with, if you're a recently-bumped up player.

If you are a singles player, were you able to play singles immediately after being bumped up? How did you fare vs. the new competition?
 

OrangePower

Legend
If you are a singles player, were you able to play singles immediately after being bumped up? How did you fare vs. the new competition?

Last time I got bumped up was several years ago... I found that I was competitive at the new level to the extent that I was not getting blown out every match, but of course my record went from around .900 to around .300. I was actually quite happy with that for my first year; despite the losing record, I did not feel outclassed in most of my matches.

In terms of finding a team where you will have the opportunity to play singles, that's going to vary by area and by who you know. Generally there will be a weaker team that will take you and give you some singles matches as long as you're a nice guy and fit in well with the other players.
 

leech

Semi-Pro
Last time I got bumped up was several years ago... I found that I was competitive at the new level to the extent that I was not getting blown out every match, but of course my record went from around .900 to around .300. I was actually quite happy with that for my first year; despite the losing record, I did not feel outclassed in most of my matches.

In terms of finding a team where you will have the opportunity to play singles, that's going to vary by area and by who you know. Generally there will be a weaker team that will take you and give you some singles matches as long as you're a nice guy and fit in well with the other players.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I just have to get out and meet more people. I don't mind joining a weak team if it means I get to play singles. I think I'm a liability at doubles at this point.

Of course, I'm only two matches in the men's season, so this is very premature and could be a moot point.
 

floridatennisdude

Hall of Fame
I don't hate doubles to the point that I won't play it, but I much prefer to play singles. I started league tennis this year, and was fortunate enough to hook up with a 3.5 men's team that has allowed me to play a couple singles matches. I hope to continue, but there are 5 or 6 on our team interested in playing singles (the captain has organized a round-robin try-out of sorts next week for those interested in playing singles).

I think 3.5 is the right level for me, but if I happen to get bumped up next season, I suspect that it will be difficult to (1) latch on to a 4.0 team (I do not know very many people in the league scene yet, which I hope to change), and (2) be able to continue playing singles. I am guessing that the singles players at the next level are very difficult to compete with, if you're a recently-bumped up player.

If you are a singles player, were you able to play singles immediately after being bumped up? How did you fare vs. the new competition?

I had a unique experience. When I was a 4.0, I was overweight and slow. Thus, I played a lot of doubles. I never really liked doubles, but I was too slow to be a good singles player. Then, I went on a health kick and dropped 40 pounds and got way fitter. I played singles once the weight was off and won a lot and got bumped to 4.5.

Once at 4.5, there weren't a lot of captains drooling to pick me up. I joined "that team" that everyone knew would finish last. I was fairly successful individually and the next couple seasons captains would ask if I was still going to play with "that team". Maybe it was a grudge, but I have stuck with "that team" for the last few seasons. We have improved overall to middle of the pack, but it is a whole lot of fun keeping the crew of ragtags together.

I'm not one of those guys that dreams of going to nationals every spring. Frankly, I hate to travel so I probably wouldn't even go. So it depends on the person, but I enjoy my group of misfits that nobody wanted.
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Doesn't it depend if you really IMPROVED enough to have been bumped?
Only you can judge and justify that.
You can't go into NEW territory and expect to predict your results. That's why it's called NEW territory.
 

OrangePower

Legend
Once at 4.5, there weren't a lot of captains drooling to pick me up. I joined "that team" that everyone knew would finish last. I was fairly successful individually and the next couple seasons captains would ask if I was still going to play with "that team". Maybe it was a grudge, but I have stuck with "that team" for the last few seasons. We have improved overall to middle of the pack, but it is a whole lot of fun keeping the crew of ragtags together.

I'm not one of those guys that dreams of going to nationals every spring. Frankly, I hate to travel so I probably wouldn't even go. So it depends on the person, but I enjoy my group of misfits that nobody wanted.

+1000 dude. That's what rec tennis is / should be about. Get some competitive matches, enjoy them, and have fun with your teammates.
 
Where we play there a couple of 4.0 teams that a good smattering of 3.5 players playing. Don't know if they want competition, hate being labeled 3.5, or some other reason. So you should be able to play up as well if you don't get bumped by joining a less competitive team.
 

leech

Semi-Pro
Where we play there a couple of 4.0 teams that a good smattering of 3.5 players playing. Don't know if they want competition, hate being labeled 3.5, or some other reason. So you should be able to play up as well if you don't get bumped by joining a less competitive team.

Yeah, playing up next season could be an option. But in my experience, it was difficult finding a captain to take me on. Back in August 2011 when I first got gung ho about this sport, I signed my family up for a 5-yr USTA membership. I contacted the league coordinators in three nearby leagues to express my wife and I's interest. Didnt hear from any captains.

We tried again a couple months later, and finally got one invitation ( from someone I had played against in a ladder match). And I got picked up for a men's league after asking another person I met thru the ladder. So it seems I'll have more opportunities in the future as I continue making contacts.
 

josofo

Semi-Pro
i am actually thinking about doing the 3.5 allstar team as a 4.0 team this year.


i have not started to get it organized but if i do put it together id tell you guys the results.
 

floridatennisdude

Hall of Fame
i am actually thinking about doing the 3.5 allstar team as a 4.0 team this year.


i have not started to get it organized but if i do put it together id tell you guys the results.

Don't know what section you are in, but you wouldn't be able to in Florida. 75% of the roster has to be "at level" to form a team here.
 

leech

Semi-Pro
Of course, I'm only two matches in the men's season, so this is very premature and could be a moot point.

I got trounced in my 3.5 tourney QF match this weekend, so turns out I may have been a bit premature thinking about moving up! I will try to write a trip report.
 

texacali

Rookie
I had the same experience.....no communication from the local organization after expressing interest several times. I think sometimes it is easier to find connection via tournaments or ladder. Since I was new in my town, one of the first questions I was asked at tournaments was " Are you on a team?". When I said no my opponents were very good about getting me involved on a team. I very much appreciated their generosity. I guess in USTA you just have to fend for yourself once the dues are paid.


Yeah, playing up next season could be an option. But in my experience, it was difficult finding a captain to take me on. Back in August 2011 when I first got gung ho about this sport, I signed my family up for a 5-yr USTA membership. I contacted the league coordinators in three nearby leagues to express my wife and I's interest. Didnt hear from any captains.

We tried again a couple months later, and finally got one invitation ( from someone I had played against in a ladder match). And I got picked up for a men's league after asking another person I met thru the ladder. So it seems I'll have more opportunities in the future as I continue making contacts.
 
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