Tournament: What level should I play?

[HunterST]

I'm playing a tournament and I can't decide between 3.5 or 4.0 level. I played 3.5 last year and lost 6-1 6-3 to the eventual winner. He had never lost a set at the 3.5 level and was bumped to 4.0 this year. I looked at this record this year and he went deep in the 4.0 tournaments as well.

I think I'd have a chance to win the 3.5 division. However, a loss at the lowest division might be tougher to take and a victory might not be as sweet. 4.0 I probably couldn't win, but I could compete and might win a match or so. I'd get to play higher level players as well.

What do you think?

 

[Ballinbob]

Trying playing 3.5 first. You can always play up later if you need too but you can't play down. If you see yourself doing okay at the 3.5 level, start playing some 4.0 tournaments. At least then you will be pretty confident about your abilities and won't be regretting your decision.

It does seem you could play 4.0 though. I'm just saying playing a 3.5 tournament first wouldn't hurt.Think of it as insurance I guess... it can't hurt and you can always move up

 

[Coach Chad]

HunterST, I would play the 3.5...the player who beat you last year and never lost a set at the 3.5 level probably belonged at the 4.0 level. As far as a loss being "tougher to take" and "victory might not be as sweet"...this type of thinking is not profitable. You never said if your other 3.5 matches were competitive; you only wrote of the eventual winner....if you were beating up on the other 3.5 players also, then by all means play at 4.0; otherwise play 3.5, enjoy the experience, don't fret about a loss or say that winning the tournament was not sweet! Have a blast, and go out and win the thing at whatever level you decide to play!