So all of yall are playing to lose? Yall are bashing the OP for winning. He started as 3.0 and got bumped to 3.5 I really wouldn't say he is working the system. Usually when someone is losing they are frustrated with themselves and they take it out on the other side of the net. A little high five and friendly banter with your partner is alright in my book.
Tennis Drama and Attitudes..What should I do?
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AlpineAce
Banned
since you're obviously a "lil bit country" and as expected your IQ is a little on the low side, and obviously your reading comprehension is lacking:
Its how much he celebrated, not just a fist bump or high five, but celebrating like you just won the freaking lottery is not acceptable. and hitting a drop serve when you are already clearly winning, is busch league, as in the beer you know?
MayDay
Semi-Pro
It's not a drop serve, it's a SUPER SERVE! 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxzUGtr0ApY
I would recommend a humble pie for your celebrations.
Well, at least you're not celebrating like this (hopefully):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vll3c7Brjxo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxzUGtr0ApY
I would recommend a humble pie for your celebrations.
Well, at least you're not celebrating like this (hopefully):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vll3c7Brjxo
Well at least now I know what Busch League means.
To insult my IQ just shows your ignorance.
Taxvictim
Semi-Pro
Tennis Drama and Attitudes: What Should I Do?
Do what I did: quit USTA and just play guys at your club or city park. I have four or five social matches per week, including one mixed doubles match with my wife, and I have a full time job. USTA became joyless. Worrying about schedules, players' ratings, etc. was no fun. It's not why I play tennis. I tried it for three years, and I might do USTA mixed again because we had a really fun team, but that's it. You don't have to play in USTA to play tennis.
TennisTom was right about a club ladder (or a city park ladder). It helps you find your level. Guys who are way better than you won't invite you to play, and guys you cream won't play much with you either. You will find the locals who are competitive right at your level, no matter what their NTRP says.
As for your enthusiastic celebrations on the court with your mixed doubles partner, that sounds more like you and she have some unresolved sexual tension.
Do what I did: quit USTA and just play guys at your club or city park. I have four or five social matches per week, including one mixed doubles match with my wife, and I have a full time job. USTA became joyless. Worrying about schedules, players' ratings, etc. was no fun. It's not why I play tennis. I tried it for three years, and I might do USTA mixed again because we had a really fun team, but that's it. You don't have to play in USTA to play tennis.
TennisTom was right about a club ladder (or a city park ladder). It helps you find your level. Guys who are way better than you won't invite you to play, and guys you cream won't play much with you either. You will find the locals who are competitive right at your level, no matter what their NTRP says.
As for your enthusiastic celebrations on the court with your mixed doubles partner, that sounds more like you and she have some unresolved sexual tension.
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AlpineAce
Banned
NO, Ignorance is when you completely IGNORE, what the OP posted, then make a post where you prove that!
See the root word in ingorance is "ingnore".... which is exactly what YOU did.
so wheres that IQ you were talking about??? probably best to get on your hands and knees with a magnifying glass..
My philosophy is that everyone can play the game however the would like. If you want to celebrate your points then by all means celebrate them. If you want to attempt to be an elitist ***** like yourself then you can play that way too.
I personally play singles and since i have no partner to jabber with I play quietly. About the only congratulation i give is to my opponent if they make a good play or if there is a good point played. On the occasion that I do play doubles there is usually some point celebrations and probably a high five some end game banter.
I'm sorry that you find it offensive that anyone plays the game in a way that is different than you think it should be played.
But hey go on thinking you are the smartest and that you are the best if that is what helps you get going in the morning. Anyone that tries to explain the "root" of a word on the internet is probably an idiot in real life.
I believe Sasquatch got bumped to 3.0 this year.
Yes, that's when the home team only brings cheap beer to drink after the match.
Cindysphinx
G.O.A.T.
Well . . . The non-USTA world is hardly a bed of roses.
Playing the same small group of people endlessly gets a bit dull and tiresome.
Club ladders and flights etc. often have politics and drama at a level much higher than USTA. Because there is no objective determination of tennis ability, it can all come down to who you know rather than what you can do.
And um . . . the behavior described in the OP wouldn't fly at any club I know.
ttbrowne
Hall of Fame
The drop serve WAS bush league...BUT I defend your right to do as many drop serves as you wish. If you had hit the drop serve on me, I wouldn't have been angry at you at all. I would have said to myself (for the millionth time) "It's USTA league tennis and this is what I get for doing it".
Playing tennis is my first punishment, Playing USTA League tennis is my second.
Playing tennis is my first punishment, Playing USTA League tennis is my second.
While you have a right to your opinion, like it or not, there is a set of unwritten rules that lie outside the code that most of us honor.
You can hit hard forehand at the 3.0 lady at the net in 6.0 mixed all day long and it's technically a legal shot, but you're likely to get your ass whooped after the match.
I like the snakes & ladders with a 4 year old girl analogy earlier.
jht32
Rookie
My sentiments exactly!
Cindysphinx
G.O.A.T.
Sakkijarvi
Semi-Pro
Take to the chutes
The 'chutes' comment is actually from a recollection ... from when Dusty Baker was managing the Cubs. During a post-game interview the topic drifted toward competitiveness. Would Dusty allow his own grandaughter to win at ... anything ... ever? Unequivocal, "no" from Dusty. In his world view, apparently, never allowing a 4 year old to win when she didn't "deserve it" was a teaching moment.
Some folks have to win at all cost and don't realize that beating your grandaughter ... at anything ... is bush league. Not as bad as ever using a drop serve in a competitive environment, especially when winning. But close.
The 'chutes' comment is actually from a recollection ... from when Dusty Baker was managing the Cubs. During a post-game interview the topic drifted toward competitiveness. Would Dusty allow his own grandaughter to win at ... anything ... ever? Unequivocal, "no" from Dusty. In his world view, apparently, never allowing a 4 year old to win when she didn't "deserve it" was a teaching moment.
Some folks have to win at all cost and don't realize that beating your grandaughter ... at anything ... is bush league. Not as bad as ever using a drop serve in a competitive environment, especially when winning. But close.
tennis tom
Legend
Outside of the lack of use of paragraphs, I sympathize with this kid and feel he's a stand-up guy. Some of you should reread the OP, and you'll see his sincerity. But, in the usual rush to judgement by internet haters, he's been demonized and I don't blame him for heading for the hills. He's only 21 and doesn't write for the NYT's after-all.
His post does well to illustrate the absurdity of the NTRP rating system, placing an athletic 21 year old, on the same court as a slug of a 50 year old 2.5, and calls that "competition". That's not competition, that's a farce. Those guys who figured out the 5 year increments for Senior Age Group Tournaments knew what they were doing. The kid taught the somnambulant old fart a lesson: If you're on a tennis court try to pay attention. He now knows of the existence of the under-hand serve. It's perfectly legal and worked for Chang against Lendl.
What's wrong with celebrating a good point or a win? The pros do it all the time--they even celebrate on missed points, which seems a bit absurd, but the sports psychs are encouraging it for team unity. The Bryan's chest bump so hard they've broken ribs, and no one's telling them they're incestuously gay.
I've witnessed mx'ed tournament matches where middle-aged couples were so enamoured with each other, they made-out after each big point and they should have gotten a room. It was rather amusing but I didn't feel the need to report them to the vice-squad.
The kid OP said he didn't use the drop-serve until he feared his opponents were making a comeback--his aim was to end the game and match at 40-30 and not to embarrass his opponents. If the opponent wasn't alert he should drop some NO-DOZ before playing.
I've been up 5-0 in rec matches and LOST, (appropriately blaming it on my partner), so it can happen. When Tom Brown couldn't move due to injury in a match against Whitney Reed, Reed drop-shotted him mercilessly. It's merciful to take your victims out of their misery as quickly as possible in competition.
Go kid, I think there's about two and a half of us here rootin' for ya'! Kick butt!
I hope you'll are pleased with my generous use of paragraphs.
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PushyPushster
Rookie
1.) Celebration: I don't know what's going on, but you're doing something to tick people off. Nobody gets upset with a fist bump to your partner and a "Nice shot!" Are you doing a triple fist-pump and following it up with the Iggy Shuffle, or something? Dial it back from Eleven.
2.) Drop Serve: I'm with you on this one. If you feel the momentum changing it's time to drive a nail in the coffin, if possible. I'd feel embarrassed if someone caught me flat-footed with that shot too ... but tough Ta Ta's.
2.) Drop Serve: I'm with you on this one. If you feel the momentum changing it's time to drive a nail in the coffin, if possible. I'd feel embarrassed if someone caught me flat-footed with that shot too ... but tough Ta Ta's.
jc4.0
Professional
You're complaining about Drama? Take a look in the mirror.
You have spent a lot of time re-hashing and re-living your matches. I think that you should spend more time practicing and making your game better.
More to the point, over-celebrating is never appreciated. Keep it on the down-low, a quick high-five is all that's really sportsmanlike (put yourself in your opponent's place).
I think the other question was about drop-serves - I lost interest after reading the first few chapters of your novel. Personally, I have zero respect for this. Do it more than once to me, and you will be eating yellow fuzz.
You have spent a lot of time re-hashing and re-living your matches. I think that you should spend more time practicing and making your game better.
More to the point, over-celebrating is never appreciated. Keep it on the down-low, a quick high-five is all that's really sportsmanlike (put yourself in your opponent's place).
I think the other question was about drop-serves - I lost interest after reading the first few chapters of your novel. Personally, I have zero respect for this. Do it more than once to me, and you will be eating yellow fuzz.
Limibeans
Rookie
Yes.
You should have seen me at 3.0. People I didnt know asked me if I was a 3.5 or a 4.0. When I told them I was a 2.5 playing up at a 3.0 they laughed and thought I was joking. When I told them again that I was a 2.5 playing at a 3.0 nearly everyone had a seizure.
I actually quit while at sectionals the very first year I played, ever. It was 6.0 mixed. There were nothing but husband/wife combination's, fat old ladies and 70 year old men whos sobriety was in question. I felt so incredibly bad I just couldnt finish.
They would actually call my in serves long when I blasted a huge first serve.
They would actually call my in serves wide because they couldnt judge how much spin was on it.
Thing is...
We actually lost matches.
In mixed its easy to lose because one of the two players is generally much weaker than the other. It's usually the woman. As a strong male I got paired with the weakest (and oldest lol) woman on the team.
If you're killing people in mixed, or just even in doubles, both players have to be strong. At 2.5/3.0 sectional level they have enough skill to push balls at the weaker player.
Yes. It's like that.
This sounds like me so far. You know that feeling when you pop "the one" smack on the line? You know that feeling when they call it out? Ugh, what an swing in emotions!
Mauvaise
Rookie
Interesting. The team I'm about to join is a 6.0 mixed, but I know most of the people who will be on my team (I think) and our captain is a great guy (who was voted a captain of the year for our division). I rather doubt we'll get to sectionals, but who knows. I'll try to maintain the spirit of just playing to gain more court experience and not worry about the rest so I can enjoy myself.
precision2b
Semi-Pro
I think I will try this one after my next win… (If I can stop laughing long enough) :lol::lol::lol:
LuckyR
Legend
The OP is an excellent illustration of the difference between rules and guidelines. He didn't break any rules so in his mind is immune to criticism. On the other hand, his real life competition and the realistic members of this Forum understand that he stepped over the line on a couple of guidelines. Legal of course but kind of a headslapper.
My guess is someone who blithely performed as he did and says: "what's wrong?" isn't of a mindset to get the explanations in his thread.
My guess is someone who blithely performed as he did and says: "what's wrong?" isn't of a mindset to get the explanations in his thread.
IF I ever win a game in my 3.0/3.5 men's singles league I might be so happy I bust this one out! (So far all my matches have been 0-6, 0-6
)Would that be bad?
(BTW--I'm a complete n00b (started playing tennis about 6 months ago) and even I wouldn't act like the OP)
goober
Legend
Sorry cannot agree with you.
But is a farce of his own choosing. He went 6.0 nationals last year and is now trying to do it again this year even though he was bumped up to 3.5 and yet he is complaining about being the youngest guy on the court. Well what does that tell you? He knew exactly what he was getting into yet still complains about it. Not only that, it shows he is afraid of higher level competition. I have seen a fair amount of younger guys playing 8.0 mixed with 3.5 ratings. The fact that he as a 21 year old 3.5 athletic male is still choosing to play 6.0 mixed with a 2.5 female is a farce.
Celebrations are ok. I don't think that the argument that "well the pros do it so therefore it is ok recreational players do it. " First the pros are actually playing for huge amounts of money and events that will go down in sports history. A 6.0 mixed match is not a noteworthy event worthy of excessive celebration. The pros do ridiculous end zone dances after scoring a touchdown. So if a popwarner team did this regularly, you say it is ok because the pros do it?
You don't think it looks just a tad ridiculous if a 3.0 player is fist pumping and yelling "come on!" after hitting a 20 mph underhand serve that his senior citizen opponent couldn't lumber his over his way to and get a racquet on it? I don't where you play at, but most people would consider this behavior a sorry state of affairs.
But is a farce of his own choosing. He went 6.0 nationals last year and is now trying to do it again this year even though he was bumped up to 3.5 and yet he is complaining about being the youngest guy on the court. Well what does that tell you? He knew exactly what he was getting into yet still complains about it. Not only that, it shows he is afraid of higher level competition. I have seen a fair amount of younger guys playing 8.0 mixed with 3.5 ratings. The fact that he as a 21 year old 3.5 athletic male is still choosing to play 6.0 mixed with a 2.5 female is a farce.
Celebrations are ok. I don't think that the argument that "well the pros do it so therefore it is ok recreational players do it. " First the pros are actually playing for huge amounts of money and events that will go down in sports history. A 6.0 mixed match is not a noteworthy event worthy of excessive celebration. The pros do ridiculous end zone dances after scoring a touchdown. So if a popwarner team did this regularly, you say it is ok because the pros do it?
You don't think it looks just a tad ridiculous if a 3.0 player is fist pumping and yelling "come on!" after hitting a 20 mph underhand serve that his senior citizen opponent couldn't lumber his over his way to and get a racquet on it? I don't where you play at, but most people would consider this behavior a sorry state of affairs.
Buford T Justice
Semi-Pro
I am of the belief that drop serves are legitimate in a league match. (f someone is standing way back to let a kicker drop into their strike zone then why not) I'm also of the belief that the way to stop drop serves in doubles is to get to one and drill the net person with it. The Partner looking back and saying WTF is the proper way of stopping them from happening.
Limibeans
Rookie
Mixed is supposed to be the most "social" of all the types you can play. It's also where all the ringers hang out because its easy to win when you can serve up/pass/volley at someones grandma and grandpa.
Wanna know what a godly 6.0 team looks like?
Me playing @ 2.5 (male) with a former club pro appealed down @ 3.5 (female). Combinations like that DO exist, you just dont see them everyday. See those guys in on court 5? Guess their NTRP. 4.0 and 4.5? No, 2.5 and 3.5 LOL!
There was one guy playing B league (aprox 3.0-4.0) who played doubles on the ATP tour. He was also playing USTA @ 3.5 -.-
tennis tom
Legend
It's also a farce that is sanctioned and encouraged by the USTA and is very happy to take people's money for. Maybe the losers should demand a refund for not getting the quality tennis experience they were paying for.
It tells me the fellow has found a partner he enjoys playing with. Hopefully they will run off someday and create cute little ball-kids.
What is the minimum USTA rating that a mx'ed team is allowed to feel and express their emotions at--7.0? Maybe he should suppress his emotions and instead seek release with a Reichian therapist while awaiting a bump-up.
I play on the planet earth and don't let what "most people" think guide my life. Most people measure their days in coffee spoons, living lives of quiet desperation, pushing paper towards, pensions that may not exist.
BTY, just watched Andy Murray beat-up on Gilles Simon at Monte Carlo. Simon suffered a severe ankle sprain. Murray ran him from corner to corner drop-shotting Simon mercilessly. The crowd booed, jeered and whistled Murray with each drop shot--(while he smiled). The commentators feared the unruly mob of Monacans would riot and throw their cushions onto the terra-batu; security tightened their ranks around the court. In the end, Simon battled on courageously but lost and shook hands with Murray knowing he would have done the same to Murray if the trainer's tape was on the other foot.
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goober
Legend
So if you are a spectator at a 6.0 mixed doubles match and you see a 21 year old male underhand drop shot winner off a serve against a 60 year old grandmother then procedes to fist pump, yell "come on!", moonwalk back to the baseline and chest bumps his partner, you will applaud him for showing his emotions and not leading a quiet life of desperation?
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Xisbum
Semi-Pro
Wow. Thoreau and Eliot in one sentence, and in a tennis blog, too. This old English major is quite impressed.
Limibeans
Rookie
Xisbum
Semi-Pro
If some 21-year-old male tries an underhand drop shot serve against this 64-year-old grandpa, he won't be the one moonwalking.
Have to pass on the chest bump, though. Grandpas can't jump.
precision2b
Semi-Pro
Nicely described, I feel like I was there...
tennis tom
Legend
I would not be a spectator at that match. Most people at clubs don't even bother to watch Senior National tournaments when they are held at their own club, but do complain about THEIR loss of court time. They don't even come out for their own club championships--but mysteriously appear in time for the after-match food and beer spread.
tennis tom
Legend
Wow. Thoreau and Eliot in one sentence, and in a tennis blog, too. This old English major is quite impressed.
Most excellent observation Xisbum!
Cheers
Power Player
Bionic Poster
The ladies at my club are kind enough to save me some spread when I am finished playing. I don't really watch them play, but they seem like they are enjoying themselves from hearing them. That is about as far as I have ever thought about league doubles.
precision2b
Semi-Pro
IF I ever win a game in my 3.0/3.5 men's singles league I might be so happy I bust this one out! (So far all my matches have been 0-6, 0-6
Would that be bad?
(BTW--I'm a complete n00b (started playing tennis about 6 months ago) and even I wouldn't act like the OP)
Like others have said, celebration is ok in its place and at the right time. The OP went overboard IMO. If you celebrate make sure its a clean winner and not off a net cord or a miss hit. I played a guy not long ago that did a fist pump and a big yeessss on a point that I was in control of but I hit the net cord on a wide open dtl shot that bounced up and went long… Was not happy about that one…:evil:
He's proud of himself for hanging in there. Just like the ping pong video posted earlier.
kylebarendrick
Professional
In another post you mentioned that other 2.5s fail to make fair calls on your serves because the pace and spin confuses them. So what do I see from your posts? Unless you are computer rated (which I tend to doubt but I'm willing to be corrected), you aren't a 2.5 and shouldn't be playing at that level.
Limibeans
Rookie
That was 3 years ago and even then it was obvious that I didnt belong there. I had never played league before. I've played competitively other things so I knew that even though I didnt meet the criteria of a 2.5 that it was still possible I wouldnt be the best one there. I accepted it.
I quit because I wasnt even playing people around my age which I thought was super lame. I wasnt the best one there, I lacked competitive level court time and pretty much just banged around with 3.0-4.0 park rats for experience.
I'm fine with playing ringers, but not when a "ringer" for that category is your typical husband and wife combo, someones grandmother, or aged drunken uncle who is at least twice your age.
It was clear we lost due to my lack of experience and not lack of physical ability.
billsgwn
Banned
HAHA Your post made me laugh harder than anything I have ever read since being on this site.
The trash talking punks in all the sports who celebrate the smallest of achievements have driven me away from some sports. I played basketball in college and now cant stand the game because thats all there is. Every point someone talks trash or acts like they did something special when all they did was dunk the ball. Its ridiculous...
Sakkijarvi
Semi-Pro
One fan in Monaco was so angry, he punched the mirror off his Bentley in the parking lot. It was awful.
I'm sorry but if you really get offended by someone getting excited about winning then why are you even playing in a league, I think a league by definition is competitive...why not just get together with some friends and play "social" - hey it's cheaper and you don't have to pay the evil USTA which I hear so many people complain about (but they keep playing in it - it's hilarious). If you don't really care about winning and play USTA more power to you, it's fun, great exercise and you get to meet some great people. Win or lose I have a great time (and I lose a lot). Sure, some people are obnoxious and take themselves too serious and are too loud - I just laugh at them, or let them know they are interfering with play - the OP does not sound like that. If the team or person I'm playing is fired up and kicking my butt and drop serves or whatever, more power to them, it just fires me up to try harder. You know what though, from my experience even when people are playing "socially" they keep score and try to win. And if you can't get a bit excited when you or your partner has made a great shot or won a great point well I feel sorry for you - it's called having fun, you're not trying to make the other team feel bad.
Obviously, you need to be careful about disturbing the neighboring courts that's just common sense. Quite honestly if an opponent makes a great shot or wins a great point I'm equally excited for them and will let them know with a "great shot" or clap. People get excited and go nuts when something happens during a sporting match they are watching on tv - don't you think that's weirder than if you or your partner actually do something great yourself. I play a lot of guys older than me who regularly kick my butt even though I'm younger and more fit - you know what, more power to them they play smarter than I do and I hope to be as good as they are at their age. I wouldn't expect them to hold back - if they can double bagel me with drop serves that's just fine I should be able to figure out how to counter it. I lose all the time but I'm not sore about it, it sounds like that might not be the case with many of you ripping into the OP. Maybe you all play at fancy clubs where etiquette is overly important, sorry you won't find me there, there's alot of better things to do with my money like say giving it to USTA programs helping underpriveldged youth so that we can develop some more US champions in the future about whom we can get excited. I understand and see where your coming from but I think there's a happy medium in here for everyone to have fun and get what they want out of what I think is a great lifetime sport.
Obviously, you need to be careful about disturbing the neighboring courts that's just common sense. Quite honestly if an opponent makes a great shot or wins a great point I'm equally excited for them and will let them know with a "great shot" or clap. People get excited and go nuts when something happens during a sporting match they are watching on tv - don't you think that's weirder than if you or your partner actually do something great yourself. I play a lot of guys older than me who regularly kick my butt even though I'm younger and more fit - you know what, more power to them they play smarter than I do and I hope to be as good as they are at their age. I wouldn't expect them to hold back - if they can double bagel me with drop serves that's just fine I should be able to figure out how to counter it. I lose all the time but I'm not sore about it, it sounds like that might not be the case with many of you ripping into the OP. Maybe you all play at fancy clubs where etiquette is overly important, sorry you won't find me there, there's alot of better things to do with my money like say giving it to USTA programs helping underpriveldged youth so that we can develop some more US champions in the future about whom we can get excited. I understand and see where your coming from but I think there's a happy medium in here for everyone to have fun and get what they want out of what I think is a great lifetime sport.
