Those Darn 5.0's

[crash1929]

I'm playing maybe the best tennis of my life. I feel confident about beating any 4.5. Howerver, I'm STILL getting smoked by 5.0's. I wonder if I will ever get a set. Man sucks to play tennis for so long and never beat a 5.0.

Once a few months ago I got close 2-6, 6-7, 3-6. Looking back on it...that tie breaker feels like a dream.

Anyone else go through this?

 

[DavaiMarat]

There comes a point in Tennis where you've maxed your potential skill wise. You can confidently hit most of your shots when in position but forced out of position it gets dodgy. That's a universal truth no matter what level your at.

Only thing you can do is get in 'awesome' shape. It will raise your game like you wouldn't believe. That's what I'm working on right now.

Good luck.

 

[Zachol82]

I'm a 5.5!

OMG please comment bout mah skillz!

 

[kiteboard]

You may be just a pusher who is used to 4.5 inconsistency. Pushers don't have any weapons other than consistency or speed. Welcome to the club of guys who don't lose to pushers, because we have weapons enough to blast your weak shots.

 

[Bud]

I'm playing maybe the best tennis of my life. I feel confident about beating any 4.5. Howerver, I'm STILL getting smoked by 5.0's. I wonder if I will ever get a set. Man sucks to play tennis for so long and never beat a 5.0.

Once a few months ago I got close 2-6, 6-7, 3-6. Looking back on it...that tie breaker feels like a dream.

Anyone else go through this?

Be happy you've attained such a high level. If you continue playing and work on a 'weapon' (FH and serve are great weapons to develop) you'll definitely beat some 5.0's in the future.

My ultimate goal is 5.0 (another .5 to 1 level) then maintaining it as much as possible as I age. When I start playing USTA leagues later this year I'll be able pinpoint exactly where I'm at.

I can definitely improve my serving and net game (transition more than S&V) quite a bit... and I think if I seriously work on those two aspects of my game diligently... while continuing to play both singles and doubles about 12 hours a week... I will reach 5.0 within a couple of years.

 

[Skabeast121]

You may be just a pusher who is used to 4.5 inconsistency. Pushers don't have any weapons other than consistency or speed. Welcome to the club of guys who don't lose to pushers, because we have weapons enough to blast your weak shots.

LOL dude sorry but I've beaten 5.0s before and I'm a pusher. Given I have a big serve and can hit a hard backhand. But even 5.0s can be driven crazy by someone pushing.

 

[LafayetteHitter]

It's weird seeing people post bragging about their skills at 5.0. There are a few 5.0 players in one of our groups and they are all pretty humble and just want to mix in with the 4.0's and 4.5's although there are elements of their game that are better. Sometimes I think to myself, it is the internet.

 

[mikeler]

It's weird seeing people post bragging about their skills at 5.0. There are a few 5.0 players in one of our groups and they are all pretty humble and just want to mix in with the 4.0's and 4.5's although there are elements of their game that are better. Sometimes I think to myself, it is the internet.

It's pretty easy to measure between 3.5 and 4.5 because there are tournaments with lots of people at that level. Play enough tournaments and you'll get a good idea where you stand in those divisions. Even in a state known for tennis such as Florida, the local 5.0 tournaments rarely have more than 2 or 3 people sign up. Hardly worth the $40 entry fee. I go back and forth with two guys that have won local 5.0 tournaments. One guy only had to win 1 match! The other guy actually had to beat 3 opponents. Some of the 5.0s just play down to get more matches in. So the distinction between 4.5 and 5.0 is a tough one to make in my mind.

 

[ChopShot]

LOL dude sorry but I've beaten 5.0s before and I'm a pusher. Given I have a big serve and can hit a hard backhand. But even 5.0s can be driven crazy by someone pushing.

If you have a big serve, and you hit a hard backhand, you are by definition not a pusher. A pusher is the lowliest scum in tennis, with no technique to speak of (ok, so inconsistent High School Bashers with decent technique are even more annoying, but wth). A pusher pattycakes his/her serve, and pokes everything back across the net. No way in hell a pusher beats a 5.0. Thats a fact.

 

[Nanshiki]

After 4.5, the ability level of a player at any given rating is going to be exponentially greater than the last one... IE, a 4.0 can play a 4.5, but a 4.5 can't play a 5.0 (and win)... just like there's no way a 7.0 will lose to a 6.5.

But ratings after 5.0-.5 are worthless.. only rankings and tournament wins count.

 

[crash1929]

I hope more of you respond to this thread. I think one of the reasons I'm playing so we'll is because I made some equipment changes and improved some. Basic technique that's allowed me to be much more consistent. I can get everything back. I have a good looking game so I'm not one of those ugly looking pushers...but I realize my style now is moving toeards 'just get another back hand deep cc with a little pace. I'm no longer trying to blast it down the line or go for big shots. So in a strange way I'm improving in 4.5 singles but getting a little worse in 5.0 matches. Yes I am getting used to 4.5 inconsistancy for sure!!!

I am notiving there is a fine line in tennis matches and that they can be determined in a few points or a few games. For example. Played on 5.O (former Cal bench warmer) and he beat me 1-2. However there were numerous games to duece and I realized that I would have broken a 4.5 numerous times but could not break him beacuse he had this wicked serveout wide on the duece court I just could not adjust to. Obviously he was good at hitting the T too. So I felt without that advantage the match would have been much closer.

I definarley have to improve fitness and nutrition trhough I'm average here...

Anyone else remember taking their first set off a true league 5.O singles palyer?

 

[crash1929]

There comes a point in Tennis where you've maxed your potential skill wise. You can confidently hit most of your shots when in position but forced out of position it gets dodgy. That's a universal truth no matter what level your at.

Only thing you can do is get in 'awesome' shape. It will raise your game like you wouldn't believe. That's what I'm working on right now.

Good luck.

Yes good points. I feel like the 5.O's have quite a lot on me still. Each has one thing they do much better- fitness, serve, fh, or coming in....

I do feel like I've maxed out and you are right about it getting dodgy when forced out of position.

Two things keep my drea. Alive:

I never had a. Lesson and I'm soaking up books and videos on technique can't believe there is so much out there I don't know.

I'm getting better at beating 4.5s in singles. The worst out come in 4,5 singles is I'm going to lose a very close match- where as only about a year ago there were 4.5's I felt I could not beat or thgat they had they edge. Now I am beating these guys routinely and in confident manner.

The other cool thing is the 5.O captain has started to hit and play with me so there is a ray of hope I can get on the team and play some matches or at least get accepted into the practices and group.

I think I'm still seiking mydelf out against 5.0's

 

[Zachol82]

You may be just a pusher who is used to 4.5 inconsistency. Pushers don't have any weapons other than consistency or speed. Welcome to the club of guys who don't lose to pushers, because we have weapons enough to blast your weak shots.

Wow, I guess someone's got owned by a pusher before :twisted:

 

[Skabeast121]

If you have a big serve, and you hit a hard backhand, you are by definition not a pusher. A pusher is the lowliest scum in tennis, with no technique to speak of (ok, so inconsistent High School Bashers with decent technique are even more annoying, but wth). A pusher pattycakes his/her serve, and pokes everything back across the net. No way in hell a pusher beats a 5.0. Thats a fact.

I do have those shots but I actually prefer to play a very defensive game similar to Andy Murray, and people consider him a pusher. He is evidence that pushers can beat the best.

 

[kiteboard]

Wow, I guess someone's got owned by a pusher before :twisted:

Beating pushers is a rite of passage for all big hitters. You are allowed to win that way, which is like a sniper hiding in the bushes, taking no risks, and running when noticed. No one really admires that style, and they find it harder and harder to win at the better levels, where guys learn to crush their weak shots without too many errors, and rip their cowardly guts out. Guys who miss too many times, lose to them, as we all have, providing motivation to learn to hit harder more accurately.

 

[samster]

I think I am forever stuck at the 3.5 level!

 

[Ripper014]

Beating pushers is a rite of passage for all big hitters. You are allowed to win that way, which is like a sniper hiding in the bushes, taking no risks, and running when noticed. No one really admires that style, and they find it harder and harder to win at the better levels, where guys learn to crush their weak shots without too many errors, and rip their cowardly guts out. Guys who miss too many times, lose to them, as we all have, providing motivation to learn to hit harder more accurately.

Actually I have quite an admiration for them... especially at the higher levels. These players are quite skilled they just choose not to play attacking all out tennis. Of course I mean pushers at the 4.0+ level that will play a conservative game waiting for an error or a mistake they can take advantage of. Or am I describing a counter-puncher? It is so hard to tell sometimes.

 

[crash1929]

I Am Not Making This Up

MY WHOLE LIFE I'VE NEVER TAKEN A SET OF A 5.0 COMPUTER RATED PLAYER IN SINGLES. THEN I WRITE THIS POST THE OTHER DAY AND BAM! I DO IT TODAY.

I should have won the match but was just happy to get that monkey off my back. 6-3, 4-6, 7-10 (super tie breaker)

Thanks to everyone on the board who believes and is a positive voice. wow.

Sorry about the caps but couldn't contain myself. Fyi I have won doubles matches with 5.0 players in the mix but thats a whole nother story.

On the tough points I just kept remember what Sampras said about his close points: 'Now I'm going to show what I'm made of'.

YEAH!!!

 

[crash1929]

By the way the last time I played this guy about 6 months ago he beat me 0, 2, and 1.

 

[ManuGinobili]

Wow, I guess someone's got owned by a pusher before :twisted:

regardless of whether it really happened or not, LMAO

I do have those shots but I actually prefer to play a very defensive game similar to Andy Murray, and people consider him a pusher. He is evidence that pushers can beat the best.

Did you mention Andy Murray as a diversion tactic which might lead us to believe you're not actually Andy Murray?

 

[ManuGinobili]

congrats crash... now you just gotta maintain that focus and determination and W's will come

 

[ProgressoR]

By the way the last time I played this guy about 6 months ago he beat me 0, 2, and 1.

Yeh, well done, good result. It must feel wonderful to feel the improvement against the same opponent after 6 months. Great!

 

[crash1929]

Thanks guys. I'm so relieved to get that over with. I feel my whole attitude changing on the court. A MILLION THANKS TO EVERYONE here who so generously shares their knowledge. Feels great. A real milestone for me. Man..

Its just unbelieveable that it happend right after I posted this. I guess I could feel it coming. The power of the Board!!!!!!!!!

"Now I will show them what I'm made of"!!

 

[ChopShot]

I do have those shots but I actually prefer to play a very defensive game similar to Andy Murray, and people consider him a pusher. He is evidence that pushers can beat the best.

That's called Counter-Punching! There are no pushers at the pro level!

 

[Skabeast121]

I know that, but as far as most people are concerned there is no difference. Have you read any of the threads on here? Everyone calls Murray a pusher and hates mad hard on the guy

 

[Grapto]

So, it was more about the mental side of your game rather than the skills. Congrats and keep us posted!

 

[crash1929]

I'm still playing the best tennis of my life. I feel such an adrenaline rush. I feel very powerful on the court.

I feel like now going into matches with 5.0 players I wont feel lucky to be playing with them or intimidated by their ranking. I feel i will just play hard tough matches.

I can feel the gears shifting. Great feeling. I have been playing daily that helps, too of course (for those of you wondering how to improve -)...........

 

[Tennisman912]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Skabeast121 View Post
I do have those shots but I actually prefer to play a very defensive game similar to Andy Murray, and people consider him a pusher. He is evidence that pushers can beat the best.

Anyone who really thinks Andy Murray is a pusher has a lot to learn about tennis IMHO. It makes one wonder what other things they think that are disconnected from reality. And just because others may believe something so patently untrue, doesn't mean they are right and to use them as evidence that your line of reasoning is correct is again, comical, and shows that you don't understand tennis or can't think for yourself.

Congrats on improving crash1929. That process never ends and only gets harder and harder as you know to make those incremental improvements.

Good tennis

TM

 

[LeeD]

er....
Problem for me is, after you beat all the 5.0s', you still gotta start again with 5.5's, and after that, 6.0's, and on up.
And you've already burned tracks from 3, to 3.5, to 4, to 4.5, so what's the big question here?

 

[Bud]

er....
Problem for me is, after you beat all the 5.0s', you still gotta start again with 5.5's, and after that, 6.0's, and on up.
And you've already burned tracks from 3, to 3.5, to 4, to 4.5, so what's the big question here?

It's all about the journey, not the destination

 

[LeeD]

Problem on this post, for me is....
OP is done half the journey, so why the long face and wondering about moving up? If he's done it from 3 to level 4.5, anything more is just a repeat, thos at a higher level.
HAS OP DONE the journey from 3.0 thru 4.5????

 

[crash1929]

Problem on this post, for me is....
OP is done half the journey, so why the long face and wondering about moving up? If he's done it from 3 to level 4.5, anything more is just a repeat, thos at a higher level.
HAS OP DONE the journey from 3.0 thru 4.5????

no i started playing league tennis as a self rated 4.0 because everyone of my friends was four o. got bumped up to 4.5 but thats what i should have rated to begin with. so you see i've been stuck at 4.5 for like 3 years.

a friend who has many years experience on the pro tour (not as a player as a spouse) gave me a few tips and they are making a huge difference in my game. coaching is so important (ive never taken lessons). to those of you out there who really want to get better and think you can do it on your own (this site helps) don't wait to find a real good coach. i think the key is you have to like each other....... otherwise you waste years of your life playing the wrong way.

 

[user92626]

OP,

How did you beat these 5.0 players?

Did you move them around and eventually hit a winner or force UE's from them or what?

You probably can notice when someone plays advanced tennis or not. They don't necessarily hit hard but have great control and pull trigger when needed.

 

[crash1929]

OP,

How did you beat these 5.0 players?

Did you move them around and eventually hit a winner or force UE's from them or what?

You probably can notice when someone plays advanced tennis or not. They don't necessarily hit hard but have great control and pull trigger when needed.

no i haven't beat a computer rated 5.0 yet. I just got my first set.