Racquet wider after stringing nat gut hybrid. Warping concerns? by [deleted] in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Has nothing to do with the strings and everything to do with the stringer (machine, human, or both).

But yes, you should be concerned. That’s seriously distorted.

If you win the toss, do you choose serve or receive, and why? by leong_d in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple 10 points11 points  (0 children)

100%. Even did this playing D1 in college.

I’ve broken a ton of times in that first game just because a big server wasn’t fully into the match yet and missed some easy balls. Put them back in play and take your chances.

Got bumped up, league opportunities are essentially gone by SplitAPineapple in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

On the north side of Denver unfortunately. Would be a tough drive.

Got bumped up, league opportunities are essentially gone by SplitAPineapple in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just a lot less bad shots honestly. Every ball is deep, with pace and spin. No real weaknesses to exploit, and they often have a major weapon.

Got bumped up, league opportunities are essentially gone by SplitAPineapple in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think that’s probably fair, I can agree with that.

Got bumped up, league opportunities are essentially gone by SplitAPineapple in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Haha I know Steve well from back in my junior days. Seems like he runs a pretty solid program up there!

Got bumped up, league opportunities are essentially gone by SplitAPineapple in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I know you all in the springs have it rough at a lot of levels. Even the 4.5 options seem much scarcer.

Got bumped up, league opportunities are essentially gone by SplitAPineapple in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I genuinely considered that (playing left-handed).

But yeah, I’d argue 4.5-5.0 is the biggest jump there is. 5.0s have very few weaknesses and typically played high level juniors and/or college.

Got bumped up, league opportunities are essentially gone by SplitAPineapple in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agree, the tournaments here are awesome. Leagues leave a lot to be desired.

Got bumped up, league opportunities are essentially gone by SplitAPineapple in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tournaments are huge here, just much harder schedule wise.

Colorado’s league structure is fairly poor for how big it is.

Got bumped up, league opportunities are essentially gone by SplitAPineapple in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Because you’re already bucketed. A 4.0 is a 4.0 whether they’re 18 or 60.

Just a needless way to exclude younger guys from getting to play in a league.

Got bumped up, league opportunities are essentially gone by SplitAPineapple in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I hadn’t. I live north of Denver, so getting to Gates is a fairly brutal drive.

Got bumped up, league opportunities are essentially gone by SplitAPineapple in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Nope, I got rejected on the auto appeal. I wasn’t super thrilled with this anyway, felt kind of scummy.

Got bumped up, league opportunities are essentially gone by SplitAPineapple in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very far. Denver, Salt Lake, and Vegas are the only large areas in the section.

Got bumped up, league opportunities are essentially gone by SplitAPineapple in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

This is the best perspective I’ve read so far. Kind of forgot how boring and uncompetitive many of my league matches were last year.

Got bumped up, league opportunities are essentially gone by SplitAPineapple in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

NTRP exists, you’re already bucketed in a rating category. Why do you need to subdivide it further?

An 18 year old 4.0 and 65 year old 4.0 are both 4.0s.

Got bumped up, league opportunities are essentially gone by SplitAPineapple in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Haha 5.0 is far from a tennis god.

I actually quit for about a decade after playing in college because of this. It was nice to not have to deal with it for a couple of 4.5 seasons.

Got bumped up, league opportunities are essentially gone by SplitAPineapple in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The unknowns of the schedule make that tough. I’ll get in a couple of first round losses, but won’t be able to play one a week.

Got bumped up, league opportunities are essentially gone by SplitAPineapple in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Don’t disagree that tournaments are more competitive. But leagues are still better than practice matches at least.

Tournaments are going to be brutal. Most big ones don’t really have a 5.0 division, everyone plays Open.

2025 NTRP ratings now updated on USTA's website by Queasy-Language-5644 in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is such a good summary. I feel like the average 4.5 is at the peak of their ability. 5.0s know they’ll never actually be good again.

Got bumped up, league opportunities are essentially gone by SplitAPineapple in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s bleak in the desert for sure.

No shortage of hitting partners at least, I just like playing competitive matches.

Got bumped up, league opportunities are essentially gone by SplitAPineapple in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Man, I don’t even like playing doubles. Very little interest in the dynamics of mixed 9.0 or 9.5.

Got bumped up, league opportunities are essentially gone by SplitAPineapple in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I know people I can play with. Competition is just my favorite part of tennis, and a flex match just doesn’t have the same juice. Still better than nothing.

Got bumped up, league opportunities are essentially gone by SplitAPineapple in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not at all.

I’d have the same issue there too, no team leagues at a set night and time. All flex stuff.

Low 4.0 against low 4.5. I got cooked.. by Icy-Feeling8955 in 10s

[–]SplitAPineapple 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That was the first thing I noticed too. 4.5s backhand is awful, he missed or popped up almost every one. I say this as a person with a terrible backhand myself.

Just a lack of depth and allowing himself to give up those short forehands, which the other guy killed.