You Can Play in Tennis Tournaments
How to Improve the Recreational Player's Game in a Weekend
Tennis tournaments are a quick and fun way to raise your game to the next level. Find out how to locate a USTA or local tournament and what to expect when you go.
For recreational tennis players, one of the best ways to improve your game in a weekend is to play a tournament. Here are tips on how to find a tournament and what to expect when you get there.
Tennis tournaments can improve your mental and physical game. Figuring out your opponent's game while you play improves your “real time” analyzing skills. Your mental toughness also improves because you are playing under pressure and have to fight through nerves. Also, by competing against players your level or better, you test yourself and are forced to work harder, think faster and move quicker on the court.
How to find a tournament?
The USTA website is the easiest way to find a tournament. USTA.com has listings for each month, by state. The majority of tournaments are based on USTA ratings, but some are divided by age. For a newbie to tournaments, the ones based on ratings may be the better place to begin so that you are more likely to play with folks with similar skills. To participate in a USTA tournament, you must be a USTA member.
Local tennis centers sometimes have tournaments as well—both USTA sanctioned and non-USTA sanctioned.
What to expect at the tournament?
Flexibility and patience are essential because the match schedule becomes unpredictable. The draw, or match schedule, is usually released a few days before the tournament. It may be available online or you may need to call the tournament director to get your match time. The day before your match, confirm the match time again. Sometimes schedules change and it’s the player’s responsibility to keep updated, especially if the draw is posted online.
- Be on time. Get checked in by the requested time, usually 15 minutes before the match time. If you’re late for the match start time, you can lose game points or even forfeit the match. But also know that as match day wears on many matches are delayed as earlier matches run long. However, be sure that when you check in, you are ready to play in case you get put on a court right away. Most tournaments only give you a five-minute warm up, so to get your muscles warm, do jumping jacks or a slow jog around the facility. Bounce a tennis ball on your racquet to get your eyes used to seeing the ball.
- Have supplies. Have lots of water and sports drinks. Carry some in your bag, and keep extra in the trunk of your car. Keep good snacks with you. Fruits, nuts, and energy bars may end up being all you eat during the day, so make sure you have plenty to keep you going.
- Bring lots of clothes, including a variety of layers. Outdoor tournaments can start cool in the morning, but get hot during the day, so it’s important to have a variety of clothes to stay comfortable. When indoor tournaments get backlogged, they may use outdoor courts. Likewise, outdoor tournaments may be moved inside for inclement weather. Having shorts, short-sleeved shirts, long pants, long sleeved shirts and fleece are the minimum needed for each day. You may also want to change out of sweaty clothes between matches so you can start the next one feeling fresh. Bring multiple pairs of socks, keeping some in your tennis bag, and an extra pair of tennis shoes if you can.
- Have an extra racquet in your tennis bag. If your string breaks, you’ll need to quickly exchange racquets, so have a backup with you at all times.
- Prepare for the down time between matches. Bring a book or magazine, or an ipod so you can get a little peace.
Have a great time, and congratulations for pushing yourself to the next level.
