NTRP 5.0 Singles: Peter vs Me May 30, 2009 First set

[completeinssolutions]

Guy in the white shirt has a good serve but little else. I consider myself a 3.0 and I think my ground strokes are just as good with more depth and power. I also have better court coverage. This doesn't look like 5.0 tennis to me compared with other videos on here. I've seen a couple that say 3.0 that I think are better than me. Maybe everyone is either an inflator or a sandbagger. I just want to figure out my correct rating.

[hi10spro]

@completeinssolutions i don't know anymore. it's been five years since i've been in america, but i figure i'm still at least 4.5 doubles.

[theboyz7]

You make so much noise when playing. Haha, I like that atmosphere :D

[napoleanboots]

your topspin one hander needs some work!! slice is okay though.

[hi10spro]

@napoleanboots i live and die by my slice

[hi10spro]

one last thing, this match was when my wife was very pregnant.  i was playing once a week

[Oreoclan]

And finally, this guy got back MULTIPLE backhand overheads (known to be the most difficult shot in tennis) back from behind him! From that position, few people can even get that shot in. Granted, a 4.5 pure serve and volleyer can probably do it, especially if they frequently play doubles, but players like that don't own groundstrokes nearly this well.

And did I mention those volleys? Yeah... They're good... 4.0s would kill for those volleys. And the forehand at 8:02... Sweet~~...

[squaborn]

@Oreoclan You're being sarcastic, right?

[Oreoclan]

How many of you disbelievers can hit a second serve with at least that much kick, volley that well, control the ball that well, or hit with that much spin and clearance without moonballing (trust me, their shots have more than solid pace on them).

The point at 5:00 confirms without a doubt that he is a 4.5+. You have to be a 4.5 minimal to be able to go from defense to offense so quickly, or just to get to neutral. The serve at 7:22 was excellent.

[hi10spro]

HAHAHAH Oreoclan. you are taking this more seriously than I am. Thank you.

[leverettf82]

i think the ratings must be very different in HI. I'm not sure this would qualify as 4.0 level here.

[hi10spro]

where are you? I've been to three 4.5's Nationals. by observations, Nor Cal, So Cal, Texas, Florida--those usually dominate. Inter, Eastern, Mountain...eh not that good. Puerto Rico sends an all star team.

[squaborn]

@hi10spro What year did you go to Nationals and at what rating? I've been to the nationals twice. 2007 at 4.0 (my first year playing USTA) and last year for the 4.5

[hi10spro]

@squaborn 91 i was 4.0. 92-97 4.5 98-2001 5.0 :( sucks... primarily a doubles specialist. 5.0 sucks it's only three matches

[squaborn]

@hi10spro .. I play mainly doubles as well. I just don't have the stamina to play a 3 set match of singles under the Florida sun.

I can't believe the guy you're playing against is rated a 5.0... He has a very very weak serve and very awkward groundies (inconsistent backhand and an awkward forehand) not to mention a non-existent net game. He's a 4.0 at best - and I'm being generous here.

[hi10spro]

@squaborn it's really, really hot here--like 97 or higher sometimes, with humidity, it's killer. his game is a solid baseline counterpuncher game--the dude is 53...he's ranked top two or three in thailand... he's from sweden. he's tough--maybe you're right, but i'm not a solid 5.0 or 4.5 anymore--i haven't played for like month now, and i am lucky to play twice a week. when we were in league, I would teach everyday and play 4 times a week...

[squaborn]

@hi10spro .. I saw your doubles games and I would say at doubles you're a 4.5 . Somehow you play differently in doubles than singles... or you're just pushing against this guy because it the most effective against him.

You probably beat this guy consistently like 6-1,6-2.. right?

[hi10spro]

@squaborn aw dude... i'm slow as hell nowadays. it's weird. you lose a step at 30, another one and half steps at 35...and a full two steps at 40... i'm SLOW... but my doubles game works. I feel that I can hold my own against most players up to 5.0 in doubles, but in singles, they would have to be 4.5 with a weakness for me to win

[276tennisfan]

Are you sure you are 5.0, I'm thinking more like 4.0?

[hi10spro]

HAHAHAH... if you're 4.0, I'll play with you guys. where are you from? SWEEET dude. clear it with your section. OH I don't want to be banned from USTA... I got approximately 2 more years--i haven't played USTA since 2005. I'm more of a 5.0 doubles players than singles but here, everyone likes to play singles...sucks. google me dude gary sakuma

[squaborn]

@hi10spro It says you've been playing USTA til 2007. Didn't see anything that says you reaching Nationals though.

[hi10spro]

@squaborn I haven't gone since 9/11. after 9/11, our 5.0 team lost the next year to Maui's other team. Then, I bid adieu to 5.0 league--I had to travel to Maui to play 5.0's, and it was the same people. In 2004, I moved to Michigan and played there for a year or so--we made play-offs, but lost in Detroit--city level. If we won, we would have gone to state.

[hi10spro]

@squaborn we dominated Hawaii from 1991 to 2001--we went to 3 4.5's, 3 5.0's, and several mixed doubles--8.0 mixed at UCLA, 9.0 Mixed three times at Arizona--nice double tree hotel at Tucson, but after that, well--my team just got tired of playing--split ups, people moved up, and I became 5.0... you know how hard it is to win 9.0 mixed with a 4.0 partner playing two 4.5's that are ringers...damn...

[hi10spro]

@squaborn so I think 10 Nationals representing Hawaii is not bad for a career... so how many Nationals have you been to...

[squaborn]

@hi10spro Twice. Started playing USTA leagues around 2007. Went to the nationals my first year then went back again last year.

I wouldn't refer USTA league play a career though.... more like.. leisure/recreational. Although it sometimes gets really competitive.

[hi10spro]

@squaborn it's a career for me because i'm done.  I have a baby daughter, I work in Thailand, and the odds of me getting a better job in Hawaii for a bit are done, BUT when I do return... I should be 4.5 :D

[hi10spro]

@276tennisfan i would gladly play 4.0. I'm not vain, my man. Plus 5.0 league sucks, there just isn't enough people willing to be 5.0. Being 5.0 means you got to practice. being 4.0. hell, I could be 4.0 after not playing for a month. I can slice and come to net, and serve regardless of how long I lay off. a 4.0 wouldn't be able to consistently pass me at net.

[tunguyen825]

Peter has no topspin backhand!!!

[hi10spro]

he does but if you notice in this match, he's trying to use a slice to my forehand, HE WAS WATCHING MY VIDEO about inherent weaknesses in the semi-western forehand... like mine... (i think) he does have a two handed topspin backhand

[tunguyen825]

i saw you come in behind the serve but Peter keep slicing it back; it's a good time to use that topspin backhand to pass you if i were him..... or maybe you serve so fast that he can't get two fists under the ball :=)

[hi10spro]

sigh...he's using the slice to keep it low and get a high percentage of first serves back. he hits the two hander it normally comes up and makes my volley life easy... so he's been going to the slice. it's really annoying to volley a low slice...

[Icecerific]

great footwork garry

[hi10spro]

i can't even tell if you're being sarcastic...

[harrytuner4]

nice netplay guy!

[hi10spro]

sometimes...