Week 7 (the last) of Nationals - 40+ 6.0/7.0/8.0/9.0 Mixed

[schmke]

The last weekend of Nationals is this weekend in Orlando where all of the 40+ Mixed levels will be played.

For some reason, schedules are not yet posted on TennisLink and I usually wait for those to do my simulations as the PDF schedules are still subject to change the TennisLink sort of confirms things. Although for 18+ 6.0 Mixed last weekend it appears Hawaii did not show up and they had to redo the schedules a bit. I need to look at how they ended up doing that.

On the weather front, with four Nationals played in Orlando, two had significant rain causing shortened formats to be used, this past weekend had a short delay Saturday morning due to rain but not altered formats to my knowledge, and presently this weekend's forecast calls for a 50% chance of showers on Friday and 20% on Saturday and Sunday.

 

[texacali]

Surprise had great weather this past weekend.

 

[schmke]

Surprise had great weather this past weekend.

As I believe they did for the prior 5 weeks of Nationals they hosted as well. Surprise!

(sorry)

 

[schmke]

The schedule for 6.0 is up, but there are some issues.

First, not an issue, but an observation is that the NorCal team that had been listed before is no longer listed and not on the schedule. I do not know why they are no longer attending.

Second, perhaps caused by having to remove NorCal from the schedule, what is posted on TennisLink has Hawaii listed as a team going, but not scheduled for any matches. Perhaps they aren't going after all and just haven't been removed.

 

[schmke]

Went ahead and posted the 6.0 simulation. New England, Caribbean, Middle States, and Mid-Atlantic are most likely to advance.

 

[leech]

Went ahead and posted the 6.0 simulation. New England, Caribbean, Middle States, and Mid-Atlantic are most likely to advance.

Thanks!
Here is the link: http://computerratings.blogspot.com/2019/11/simulating-2019-usta-league-nationals_13.html

 

[J011yroger]

Forecast has taken a turn for the worse.

I'll be there to provide updates.

J

 

[schmke]

Forecast has taken a turn for the worse.

I'll be there to provide updates.

J

80% chance of showers Friday, I'd say so. Get prepared for a busy Saturday.

 

[McLovin]

Forecast has taken a turn for the worse.

I'll be there to provide updates.

J

80% chance of showers Friday, I'd say so. Get prepared for a busy Saturday.

I believe there’s also a 55+ invitational going on this weekend as well. Our pro is playing for Mid Atlantic, and he wasn’t happy when he learned it was fast-4 scoring. And it may be even worse if it rains...like 8-game pro sets.

Not many people want to pay for the travel, only to play quick sets. I know I wouldn’t.

 

[SaltyDDDog]

Headed that direction for a weekend of competition. Cheer on the 7.0 reps from Missouri Valley!

 

[J011yroger]

Headed that direction for a weekend of competition. Cheer on the 7.0 reps from Missouri Valley!

If you see a tall, awkward guy in a lavender Macho Man shirt with a beer in his hand come over and say hello.

J

 

[tpro2000]

If you see a tall, awkward guy in a lavender Macho Man shirt with a beer in his hand come over and say hello.

J

J - are you spectating or playing?

 

[J011yroger]

J - are you spectating or playing?

Coaching.

J

 

[tpro2000]

Coaching.

J

Nice - even if it rains it's still FL. I had a 3.0w 40+ go to Nationals last year, in Alabama...I didn't go....

 

[SaltyDDDog]

Let me brag on my wife a sec. Our third year playing tennis and this is her third Nationals trip (w3.0, mx7.0, mx7.0). Riding her coattails this trip! I shared how many folks on this board don’t think they will ever eat the chance, so we are very grateful for this chance!

 

[texacali]

I never thought I would get to nationals and got to go this year. Great experience and hopefully not my last.

Let me brag on my wife a sec. Our third year playing tennis and this is her third Nationals trip (w3.0, mx7.0, mx7.0). Riding her coattails this trip! I shared how many folks on this board don’t think they will ever eat the chance, so we are very grateful for this chance!

 

[McLovin]

If you see a tall, awkward guy in a lavender Macho Man shirt with a beer in his hand come over and say hello.

J

Thanks for the description. Now I know who to tell my daughter to hide from...

On a side note...I have it on good authority that they have secured the indoor courts from 2PM until the end of play on Friday in the case of inclement weather. No word on if it will be a shortened format, though.

 

[schmke]

Thanks for the description. Now I know who to tell my daughter to hide from...

On a side note...I have it on good authority that they have secured the indoor courts from 2PM until the end of play on Friday in the case of inclement weather. No word on if it will be a shortened format, though.

It is good to hear they secured the indoor courts. Last month, I think they couldn't get them until 5pm or 6pm. Being mixed with just 3 courts helps, but they also have 4 events (6.0 thru 9.0) going on, so a handful of indoor courts might not make a big dent in things if they are rained out on Friday. Hard to see a shortened format not having to be used.

The math is 17 teams playing 4 matches is 34 matches, 3 courts per match is 102 courts required. With 4 events, that is 408 courts needed. If you only get 5 indoor courts from 2pm until say midnight, that is 10 hours and at best you are getting 7 matches in per court, perhaps only 6. So that is just 35 courts of the 408 required.

Note the 408 may be a bit less as I don't think all of the events have the full 17 teams, but you can see the conundrum.

 

[SaltyDDDog]

Schmke, you just proved that not all hero’s wear capes.

 

[McLovin]

Schmke, you just proved that not all hero’s wear capes.

How do you know he's not at home wearing a cape?

 

[SaltyDDDog]

Conversation is deteriorating quickly if we are going to start speculating what clothes Schmke is or is not currently wearing.

 

[V-Werks]

It is good to hear they secured the indoor courts. Last month, I think they couldn't get them until 5pm or 6pm. Being mixed with just 3 courts helps, but they also have 4 events (6.0 thru 9.0) going on, so a handful of indoor courts might not make a big dent in things if they are rained out on Friday. Hard to see a shortened format not having to be used.

The math is 17 teams playing 4 matches is 34 matches, 3 courts per match is 102 courts required. With 4 events, that is 408 courts needed. If you only get 5 indoor courts from 2pm until say midnight, that is 10 hours and at best you are getting 7 matches in per court, perhaps only 6. So that is just 35 courts of the 408 required.

Note the 408 may be a bit less as I don't think all of the events have the full 17 teams, but you can see the conundrum.

17*4=34?

 

[SaltyDDDog]

Actually that is correct. Tennis math states all matches must be between 2 teams. Carry the 1 and you have 34 matches.

 

[schmke]

40+ 8.0 Mixed simulation posted. Could have 6 undefeated! 5 actually has a decent chance at 15%.

Top teams likely to be Florida, PNW, Mid-Atlantic, and Texas, with Hawaii and Middle States challenging.

 

[J011yroger]

Matches delayed tomorrow, shortened format happening.

J

 

[McLovin]

Matches delayed tomorrow, shortened format happening.

J

2pm start?

 

[J011yroger]

2pm start?

4 for us.

J

 

[SaltyDDDog]

We play 5pm. 7pm. Haven’t seen the word in format.

 

[schmke]

We play 5pm. 7pm. Haven’t seen the word in format.

Are they planning on this being outdoors? Or the start of matches is when the indoor courts become available?

 

[SaltyDDDog]

Captains meeting happening now. I believe it will be a game time decision, having accepted the fact the morning is a wash out. More details to come.

 

[McLovin]

Captains meeting happening now. I believe it will be a game time decision, having accepted the fact the morning is a wash out. More details to come.

Say ‘hi’ to my daughter...she’s part of the crew running the tournament...

 

[J011yroger]

In Captain's meeting now. Details coming.

J

 

[schmke]

In Captain's meeting now. Details coming.

J

#j011ysrealtimeupdates

 

[McLovin]

In Captain's meeting now. Details coming.

J

Texting my daughter now to tell her to steer clear of the creepy guy w/ the lavender Macho Man shirt...

 

[schmke]

I am hearing a format change to sets to 4 with no-ad scoring, at least to start.

 

[SaltyDDDog]

Correct, with no decision on Saturday - could be full sets! Outdoor if possible.

 

[SaltyDDDog]

There are 2 indoor courts scheduled for the day - with matches across the different levels.

 

[SaltyDDDog]

FYI, morning forecast has greatly improved. We are supposed to be getting word at 8a if morning play is on.

 

[J011yroger]

USTA shooting themselves in the foot.

Will update as soon as we hear.

J

 

[SaltyDDDog]

It on. Go time.

 

[CHtennis]

USTA shooting themselves in the foot.

Will update as soon as we hear.

J

Come on Jolly, I wanted some good stuff, you basically just said water is wet. If you said the USTA was competently addressing the situation then that would be news.

 

[SaltyDDDog]

Short format as weather is still suspect for rest of day.

 

[SaltyDDDog]

Someone has been proven correct. Rain, no tennis now.

 

[JLyon]

can not understand why USTA knowing they have a National Tournament do not book out the indoors for the tournament weekend, considering league player dues paid for the facility should be the norm.

 

[J011yroger]

can not understand why USTA knowing they have a National Tournament do not book out the indoors for the tournament weekend, considering league player dues paid for the facility should be the norm.

There is also a pro tournament going on.

Your league dues mean absolutely nothing, all the money comes from the US Open. They could do the leagues for free and it wouldn't make a drop of difference.

J

 

[McLovin]

can not understand why USTA knowing they have a National Tournament do not book out the indoors for the tournament weekend, considering league player dues paid for the facility should be the norm.

Because the have to share the indoor courts with everyone else, and there is an Oracle Pro Series tournament going on this weekend, as well as player development, and an invitational event (Donoff Cup). While leagues may bring in the most money, it can be seen as inequitable to give priority based solely on amount of $ brought it.

 

[schmke]

Because the have to share the indoor courts with everyone else, and there is an Oracle Pro Series tournament going on this weekend, as well as player development, and an invitational event (Donoff Cup). While leagues may bring in the most money, it can be seen as inequitable to give priority based solely on amount of $ brought it.

Perhaps they should have more indoor courts? This seems to be a recurring theme, not just this year but in the other years the new National Campus has hosted Nationals.

 

[Doan]

Not sure why so many people think USTA league dues/fees bring in the most money. Page 7 of https://www.usta.com/content/dam/usta/pdfs/USTA_Consolidated_Financials_2018_FINAL_SIGNED.pdf

US Open - Revenue = 380M - 163M expenses = 217M
Membership - Revenue = 18M - 10M expenses = 8M

But they should spend some of that 8M to not have shortened formats for Nationals. Only played 2 matches so didn't qualify for this weekend - but feel bad for other folks on the team that are there.

 

[SaltyDDDog]

In their infinite wisdom, they have announced a start time of 1pm.

 

[McLovin]

Perhaps they should have more indoor courts? This seems to be a recurring theme, not just this year but in the other years the new National Campus has hosted Nationals.

Its my understanding that they want to, its just a matter of convincing the upper management that they are needed.

One thing many of us don't understand is that they have multiple departments (Adult League, Player Development, Tennis on Campus, Tournaments, which also have different departments, etc.), and they are all fighting for resources. Each department has a budget, and they have to work with what they are given.

Talking with my source (aka my daughter), I can assure everyone that they (Adult League) are well aware of the issues, and would LOVE to host these tournaments out west every year. But (a) that costs money as you have travel costs for employees, and (b) its not good optics if you have this National Campus and don't hold any league tournaments there.