I happened to play a couple of tournaments and I had a feeling that
perhaps people tend to underrate when they enter a tournament. Don't
know if there are ratings checks done by the organizers.
Also, it could be my inexperience but initially I thought I was 4.0
based on my club rating of 4.5 as I thought I did satisfy NTRP 4.0
guidelines within reason (not the best at everything described), but quickly
was exposed at two 3.5 tournaments. Agree that my statistical sampling
could be small but I beat 3.5 in my town/neighborhood league.
Last weekend and today I played at 2 different 3.5 tournaments and lost.
First loss was 6-4, 6-7 (8-6), 6-2 in 2 hrs 15 mins. Today's marathon again
I lost 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 in 2 hrs 30 mins despite 3 match points.
My first tournament loss I attribute to a far fitter player, who was a
energizer bunny, not a great player but a super retreiver. However
the second match was against a s&v player and he was good
at it, not much power when he as attempting ground strokes but
a good retreiver when I kept moving him side to side on rallies.
Agree that nerves were a factor for me especially while attempting to
close out the match. It could also be that my luck of draw that I got to play
guys who hustle a lot more, but looking at the next courts and watching a
few games etc, atleast a few players looked as good as 4.0 or better.
I sometimes hit with a known solid 4.0 (he won 3.5's in the past) and
I occasionaly trouble him with scores of 7-5 (yes I have always lost to him),
he also mentioned that some of the 3.5 guys have no business being
there and he feels the same that a few players who play in 4.0
tournaments should really be playing 4.5.
Since there so few 5.0 players/tournaments are the players simply
underrating at 4.0 (4.5) and 3.5 (4.0) levels?
Do others agree with my opinion or is it that I just happend to loose to some
strong 3.5 players?
Also, please provide some tips on keeping cool (esp nerves) in tight
and/or match point situations.
Please provide your feedback. TIA.
perhaps people tend to underrate when they enter a tournament. Don't
know if there are ratings checks done by the organizers.
Also, it could be my inexperience but initially I thought I was 4.0
based on my club rating of 4.5 as I thought I did satisfy NTRP 4.0
guidelines within reason (not the best at everything described), but quickly
was exposed at two 3.5 tournaments. Agree that my statistical sampling
could be small but I beat 3.5 in my town/neighborhood league.
Last weekend and today I played at 2 different 3.5 tournaments and lost.
First loss was 6-4, 6-7 (8-6), 6-2 in 2 hrs 15 mins. Today's marathon again
I lost 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 in 2 hrs 30 mins despite 3 match points.
My first tournament loss I attribute to a far fitter player, who was a
energizer bunny, not a great player but a super retreiver. However
the second match was against a s&v player and he was good
at it, not much power when he as attempting ground strokes but
a good retreiver when I kept moving him side to side on rallies.
Agree that nerves were a factor for me especially while attempting to
close out the match. It could also be that my luck of draw that I got to play
guys who hustle a lot more, but looking at the next courts and watching a
few games etc, atleast a few players looked as good as 4.0 or better.
I sometimes hit with a known solid 4.0 (he won 3.5's in the past) and
I occasionaly trouble him with scores of 7-5 (yes I have always lost to him),
he also mentioned that some of the 3.5 guys have no business being
there and he feels the same that a few players who play in 4.0
tournaments should really be playing 4.5.
Since there so few 5.0 players/tournaments are the players simply
underrating at 4.0 (4.5) and 3.5 (4.0) levels?
Do others agree with my opinion or is it that I just happend to loose to some
strong 3.5 players?
Also, please provide some tips on keeping cool (esp nerves) in tight
and/or match point situations.
Please provide your feedback. TIA.