Well, 2008 is all but in the bag now. Interesting to see if the weak economy has any impact on tournament draw sizes next year. Perhaps the cheaper price of gasoline will more than offset the continued upward spiral in entry fees. To me, it seemed that the tournament scene lost a lot of steam around the time that Ike came through and screwed up Sectionals. The Sectionals makeup was largely a joke with so many players not being able to make it, but I still am glad USTA rescheduled and did not cancel. I also think it was the right thing to postpone it instead of playing it as scheduled and giving a big F U to all of the Houston and coastal players who had much bigger things to be worrying about that weekend.
Maybe its because I did not personally play in many tournaments this year, but I felt that this was one of the less exciting years we have had here in Texas as far as tournaments tennis is concerned. Please feel free to disagree if you felt otherwise. I think not having the Master's Cup count towards qualifying next year may help since that will open it up a bit and give more people a chance at getting the needed points. Plus I think USTA needs to consider 2 more things: 1) instituting ranking point penalties for no-shows, and 2) a reworking of consolation in major zones to make them more meaningful and increase consolation participation in the smaller draws so as 5.0. In terms of penalties for no-shows, I think each player should be given 1 major zone no show without penalty and after that, each major you sign up for and do not show up, the 0 points from that event will count as one of your five countable results for the year. That would likely prevent a few of the guys we know have a history of signing up and never showing up from screwing up seeding at tournaments, etc. For instance, sign up for all 8 majors and only bother going to 4 of them, well guess what you will end up with three 0's and two other results for your final total. As far as consolation, I think that, there should also be a penalty such as points being deducted from qualifying (for master's cup and year end ranking) totals for not bothering to play consolation. For instance, whatever the point value of a consolation match (30 in majors? maybe its 25, I can't remember right now) could be deducted for every tournament in which you are in consolation but decide not to stick around and play. Loss in the 1st round of 3 major zones and decide not to play consolation, well guess what, you will have 90 ranking points deducted from your total ranking points (best 5 total). This would force the top guys and anyone else who cares about their ranking from thinking that consolation is a waste of their time so they will just go home. Open, 5.0 and to a lesser extent, 4.5 are horrible in terms of consolation participation. This could fix that. Anyway, those are just some thoughts I have, it's not like I am exactly commissioner of tennis or anything.
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121 comments:
Lets have a round table discussion on how dominant I am as your appointed TENNIS GOD!!!!!
Your the greatest player I've ever seen.
I wish I was 1/10th as good as you are, then I could beat up on some of these 4.5 players.
Yes, I know you wish you were me.
By the way, where are those Saroch fan club shirts you were to purchase and distribute to the Houston Tennis Community?
Sarosh and Foad, I still say you two need to get a big bottle of lotion and retire to a Motel 6 for an hour or two and this nasty feud will be over.
JR
Saroch will win Abilene without even trying.
Journeyman for commissioner of USTA Texas Tennis!!!
"End of year ratings...Nov. 17th"
Could someone please post the link to it.
FYI,
Tosha at USTA says year end ratings will be out 12/2.
What about players that sign up for singles and doubles and then end up defaulting one or other so they can "focus" on winning whichever one they're doing better in? I can't tell you how many singles draws get screwed up by players dropping out because they can't hang in both events. If you don't have the game/fitness level to play both events, don't sign up for them! Welcome to tournament tennis!
My prediction for 2009 is this: Kallus whines, Kallus complains, Kallus gets beat 6-0 6-0, Kallus sucks
Just curious...Was is Brian Smith playing the 5.0 a disappointment for the year. He is playing in rated division! Im my opinions there are always going to be people that are the top of every level. That is just the way it goes. It should not be a dissapoinment. The disappointment shouldbe all the want to be players that keep playing up and get killed.
my $.02
Hey man, leave Kallus alone. He ain't done nothing to you to call hime all that.
Please don't kill another discussion stream with a completely gratuitous Kallus slam. Has the guy even been playing tennis anymore? I haven't seen him at a tournament since the Coke. I didn't see him at any of the major zones that I normally saw him at. Perhaps another one bit the dust to parenthood, work, etc. One less diehard...and one less easy win for the other guy. Sorry Kallus, I couldn't resist.
Journeyman do you remember a match from Houston Fall Festival that because of rain was cut short to no add, 2 all each set. You went on to win that match 7-6, 6-7, 7-6 and then went on to make it all-the-way to the finals. Do you know who your opponent was?
Finally, it looks like Sarosh and Foad are done beating each other up on the blog.
Something you guys might find interesting. There are actually more visitors to this site from outside of Houston than there are from Houston itself. Seems the Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin guys like to see what bad things we have to say about each other. Though, at the moment everyone is actually acting rather civil.
To the guy who seems to think he knows me from Fall Fest, what level did we play each other at? I honestly don't remember ever playing a match at Fall Fest with that score, especially one that I actually won.
It was Men's 4.5s. The year was 2000. Our match was interrupted several times due to rain showers.
All I remember from 2000 fall fest was kallus sucking hard.
What was he sucking?
Didn't your Mama teach you if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.
I only played 1 match at fall fest in 2000 and I won it before the 4.0 was cancelled because of rain. Either it was cancelled or I could not play on Monday, can't quite remember. I have sucked at plenty of other tournaments in plenty of other years, but that was not one of them.
Happy Thanksgiving and be safe...
So questions for next year.
1) Will Brian Smith play open or stay in the 5.0's? Solid open player.
2) Will Alfonso stay in 4.5's or move to 5.0? Good addition to 5.0's
3) Will Foad move up to 4.5? Better for your game.
4) Will Schmucker and Kallus play more tournaments next year? Didn't see much of you two this year.
5) Will Arya move down from open to play 5.0 or 4.5? Nowhere near an open player. More 4.5 level.
6) What will Moser do next year? Fitness is key.
-Brian Smith should play open
-Alfonso should play 5.0
-Reginald Black and Johnson should play 4.5 or lower
- Foad should play 3.5, since he can't get pass the first rd in 4.0
- Kallus and Schmucker are non-factors in 4.5, but should stay there. Maybe kallus in 4.0
- arya should stop playing open and he's not a 5.0 player either. 4.5 is the place for him.
- Knutson to quit, because he sucks
- Sarosh to will rule the world as always
- Moser will be more dominate in 4.5, ever since his return to houston
- Garg to play open, cuz 5.0 draws suck, because it is mostly people who thinks they are 5.0, but they are really 4.0.
And the BS talk continues...
And the BS talk continues...
i think amit is moving to arizona.
arya and reginald wouldn't make it to a semi in 4.5.
Some thoughts:
Knutson did pretty good in 4.5 this year even know he did not win a major zone.
Foad should move up to 4.5 and stop hiding in the 4.0's. Play real tennis Foad.
Arya I agree with last poster you really need to move down. You lost both rounds in Lost Forest and Waco in October. Should tell you something.
Brian Smith unstoppable in 5.0 and would be a force in Open.
Will Troutmann ever play tennis again?
So who would win between Arya and Reggie Black?
I would pick Reggie because he always comes in to the net and Arya is very slow on the court.
reggie would beat arya 6-4, 7-6
reggie black is a joke in 5.0 or 4.5. he needs to chose a different sport.
Hey leave Reggie alone. He is my friend.
trudat...trudat... Reggie and Ronnie always sign up for 5.0 or open and never get anywhere. must be an ego thing. that's the same with arya.
OK, who has the best:
Forehand-
Backhand-
Serve-
Volley-
Overhead-
Drop shot-
I guess that covers it all.
Forehand Schmucker
Backhand Hunkler
Serve Green
Volley Kelly Ward
Overhead Moser
Drop Shot JR Pogue
Best All Around Brian Smith and Adrian Valdez
Forehand- moser
Backhand- hunkler
Serve- odion
Volley- sarosh
Overhead- sarosh
Drop Shot- Sarosh
Best All Around- Sarosh
how about most consistent?
best all-around:
-open?
-5.0?
-4.5?
-4.0?
open-wooten
5.0- smith
4.5-rodriguez
4.0-arya or foad (toss up)
i dont think it is a given that arya majed would win 4.0. he would have several tough matches. he would get his ass kicked in 4.5 thats aint a lie.
i would bet money that reggie would win 8 out of 10 times against arya. reggie is stronger mentally.
volley griffin
Is anyone playing Casa Ole? There are some nice buffet places in the area
New Year Miracles
Foad plays 4.5 for the entire year, but has trouble winning first round matches. Becomes angry at USTA offical and gets banned from tournaments.
Arya decides to play 5.0 and still loses first round matches. Thinks about stepping down to 4.5, but ego won't allow him to. Takes lessons from Sarosh.
Adrian Valdez keeps kicking himself for not signing up for the Masters in Nov. Dwells on what could of been throughout the year and becomes a mental headcase.
Sarosh comes out of retirement to play 4.5, but is in terrible shape. Too many days coaching Arya and not enough time to workout. Sprains his ankle while losing to Dennis Hilmeiser in Gallery Furniture and retires once again.
John Troutmann comes out of hiding to play Waco, but pulls out before his semifinal match vs Alfonso and never plays tennis again.
Kallus plays almost every 4.5 tournament and wins two major zones.
Knutson petitions the USTA to play 4.0 once again and is declined because of pulling out of the Masters. Decides to sit out year to petition for 2010 hoping to relive the glory days of what could of been.
Just some thoughts for next year. Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!
Best Pusher: Valdez or Green
Best Baseliner: Jorge Bouffier or Greg Schmucker
Best Serve/Volley game: Kelly Ward or Tim Green
Best Cheater: J. Casas or R. Black
Biggest Headcase: Daniel Kallus or Herb Morton
Best Mentally: T. Green or D. Omana
Strangest Strokes: J. Gound or Knutson
Best Variety: B. Smith or T. Green
Best Serve: Dibua(s) or Garg
Best Connections: Torres or Benzon
Nicest Loser: Leach or Dennis Hiilsmeier
Whoever wrote the above post obviously doesnt know tennis. Tim Green and Schmucker? Are you serious-no disrespect to Green or Schmucker, but mentioning them in the same sentence with Valdez, Bouffier or Omana is laughable. But of course, its better to laugh than to cry.
Valdez or Bouffier?? Valdez ruined his reputation by crying about his late non entry to the Masters Cup. Perhaps Adrian was waiting to the last minute to see if another player signed up or not because of fear.
I have played Green and Schmucker and both guys are really nice on and off the court. Green has many ways to beat you from the baseline and at the net. I wish I had Green's kick serve.
Schmucker has a very good baseline game and his endurance is top notch. I know he didn't get to play that many tournaments this year because of his job, but I heard he no longer works for Best Buy.
I remember watching Schmucker play Pat Abshire in the mens 5.0 major zone in Tyler. The temperature was around 120 on the court and the match lasted over 4 hours when Pat cramped up in the third. How many players do you know that can play in the heat like that? Only other one I can think of is Daniel Kallus that can last in the heat. I know people on here give Kallus a bad rap, but he is another player that is nice on and off the court. I give him a lot of credit to his game as well because his strokes are not orthodox. Self taught player and he will battle you to the end.
The 4:19 blog has Schmucker written all over it. Schmucker, you insecure pussy, stop talking about yourself. I was in the 4.5 draw in Lost Forest and saw you play Cassariego, an Open baseliner, you were down like 5-0 and quit with a fake ankle injury. So, stop blogging about what a great baseliner you are, how great condition you are, how Best Buy kept you from reaching your full potential, how great a kick serve Green has, you have already told everybody all that.
Also, Sarosh told everybody how bad he kicked your ass, so you need to do a big shut the fuck up about yourself.
if shmuck could put the ball away, he would not be out there for 4 hours with abshire. the fact that he is a weak pusher whose matches last 4 hours should not be looked at as a strength.
I vote for Schmucker as the king of 4.0 Foad, watch out!
I saw that match with Schmucker at Lost Forest and he did sprain his ankle. He didn't quit you idiot and afterwards said Cassariego was way better than him regardless of the injury. Know the facts before you write about others.
What is funny Schmucker does not even come to this site anymore because of all the crap on here. I barely venture to this site.
PS
Sarosh is a very good player and I bet he plays this coming year.
Totally agree. This blog is just about bashing people period! Look at how things got so negative even for Valdez, how he supposedly is embarrassing himself by standing up for himself.
This blog could be such a positive force in Houston tennis. Instead, it is not only an embarrassment here locally, but an embarrassment for Houston in all of the Texas Section.
I personally believe a few bad apples are making it look bad for all of us.
i think the 5:31 blog is shmucker too:) but its ok, someone has to protect shmucker. his tennis cant speak for him.
You actually count the individual blogs? Get a life! Who cares about Houston players. Funny here in Austin we don't bash other players. Houston you have some issues over there.
LOL
Austin player, what is your I.Q.? Mine is 65 but I still knew what 5:31 meant.
saw reggie, daniel , & jochen dining together in small cafe off westhemier last week. i have to admit i was a little jealous. looked like they were going to have much fun later that evening.
daniel, you cheat'n bastard, we had a date that night and you cancelled on me. this is the way that i have to find out! on this damn blog of all places. i had a whole jar of lube just for the two of us. Now, you are going to have to take me dry! same goes for you jochen. I dont know no reggie but reggie, leave my men alone now you hear
J. R. Pogue
J.R., you are one sick sumbitch. Don't forget the thumping I gave you going toe to toe.
Foad
Good to see the value-added of this blog to the tennis community has not changed much since the last time I posted.
I am writing to say I fully agree with the bloggers... I played some crap tennis all year long and don't deserve any better than the comments in the blogs. So, I think the blog is pretty fair as a whole (minus the personal attacks on Sarosh, Foad, Daniel, Schmucker, ... to just name a few).
The lesson for me is not play competitive tennis in a half-way manner. In 2008, I did'nt practice, I gained maybe 20 lbs, played a few tournaments, but still expected to somehow win. Well I don't think it works that way. You end up pissed and frustrated at yourself and may even get so frustrated that you walk out of a match half done :)
Arya you seem like a nice guy, but honestly you are not an Open player. I think you would have more fun in 5.0 or 4.5 and at least work on your game in those divisions. Your record in Open is horrible losing first round matches. Aren't you forty something? Kind of hard to compete against 16-18 juniors in Open at that age. As the saying goes, "Your not getting any younger".
arya,
winning solves alot of criticism. it takes a big man to admit what you did. get back in shape and see you in 2009
Admit to what?
Does anyone have a link to the end of year ratings?
See link below for ratings:
http://tennislink.usta.com/leagues/reports/NTRP/FindRating.asp
How did Green get bumped back to 4.5?
Green got bumped back to 4.5 by playing pussy "5.0" tournaments
lol. and alfonso rodriguez got bumped up by playing 4.5.
Tim Green getting bumped back down to 4.5 after winning a few 5.0 major zones this year is a joke. This is combination with the handling of the Valdez-Master's Cup incident is really making USTA look like a bunch of dumb-asses. Oh well, I guess we now will get the chance to read Tim justifying this bump down and how it validates his stance that he is just a mediocre 4.5. They got one thing right though. Alfonso should be at a higher level than Tim cause he is a vastly superior player, not just today but even when Tim was at his prime.
I've had some quality wins in the Open in the past years which included quite a few SC 18's and even one top 10 SC 18 in the Fortworth MZ when I made semis. But I was in much better shape and my work load was nothing like it is now. Its 11:30P and I'm still at work!
I am playing 5.0 for 2009. I actually used to play 5.0 way back then. I am not expecting anything. Just taking it one step at a time at this point.
Tim got bumped down because he is a 4.5. ALfonso got bumped up because he is a 5.0. The system actually worked, not failed. It shows that you can play whatever level you'd like (and eligible for), but only the results count.
Brian Smith Stayed a 5.0. WTF?
arya, you got my respect!
Arya you should have been playing 5.0 for some time now instead of Open.
Thoughts on 2009 Men's 5.0?? I am wondering who will be playing 5.0 again. Now that Green is listed 4.5 do you think he will play 5.0 or 4.5? Not for sure if Brian Smith will play 5.0, but if he does look for a repeat from him again.
Will past 5.0 players once again play 5.0 in 2009. Players like Leach, Abshire, Monzy, Schmucker, Kallus, McDonough, and Brown. Would be nice to see some larger draws sizes for 5.0.
Thoughts???
All you get from playing 5.0 are smaller draws and the same guys over and over. The draws are too predictable.
Green is 4.5 because he knows how the system works. He made sure tank in all matches against other 5.0 rated players, losing those by lopsided scores. He is a snake.
Arya, your comments show a lot of character!
The Animal Adrian Valdez will have his hands full next year at Gallery Furniture tourney vs. another Animal Evghenii Corduneanu (Current Champion). I don’t care if I’m in the middle of my match, I’ll default it to go and watch this match up. My prediction is 6-4, 6-3 Evghenii over Valdez.
It is definitely not a given that Smith would win in 5.0 next year. Reader or Garg or Alfonso will take him out. Count on it. I dont know if all these guys will play but if they did, thats what you'd see.
were there any other interesting rating changes?
odion dibua down to 4.5-wtf?
Odion Dibua and Tim Green getting bumped down to 4.5 with the records they have? That's complete and utter bullshit. There is no way I don't deserve to be bumped down to 4.0 with my crappy 4.5 record this year.
Us 4.0s would welcome y'all 4.5s want to be in our division. In all honesty I think the top 20 players in 4.0s would hold their ends just fine in 4.5s. After all said and done, remember it’s just a game.
arya, you're going in the right direction by playing 5.0, but you still have a ways to go before hitting that wall called REALITY. 4.0-4.5 is more your competitive level
Yeah I argee Arya won't win in 5.0 either. Arya you need to start out in 4.5 and just have some fun and at the same time work on your game. Besides you lost to Ronnie Johnson who is one of the worst players in 5.0 this year. So if you cannot beat Ronnie then you really need to play 4.5.
I don't see Alfonso beating Smith in 5.0 either. Think Smith will have another good run in 5.0's. What is really sad about 5.0 is Reggie Black actually made it to the Masters Cup in Austin. Reggie is like the second worst player in 5.0. Shows you the lack of depth in 5.0.
Kallus who cares what players can play what level. It's not like you would even get that far in a 4.5 tournament to play Green or Odion. Even if you took those two players out of 4.5, you wouldn't finish #1 or for that matter come close. So what is the difference?
Funny how there is so many people whining about who is moved up and moved down for next year. Go out and play your game and you never know what may happen. Or better yet protest your current ranking to the USTA like Knutson did.
Hey leave Reggie & Ronnie alone. They are my friends.
knuston was talking too much trash in 4.5 and got waxed. i don't think he should get bumped down just so he can beat up on the 4.0 and talk trash to them. stay in 4.5 can take your losses like a man.
hey arya,i look forward to welcoming you to the 5.0s next year.i'll see you in abilene,better bring your running shoes.
Lord of the Strings def. Arya M. 6-0, 6-0
Does any one know if Saroach is still being held in jail in Mumbai for participating in those terrorist acts???
Come home soon lover. I miss your soft eyes and warm touch.
You guys are still crazy I see. Using incorrect facts to justify your bullshit. Reggie has never taken a set off me to begin with. Someone said he always goes three with me. Also to the talk off me tanking. You obviously do not know me. Just look at my record. I beat several 5.0 rated players. I lost to better 5.0 players. My rating changed for a large part due to my 2005 record falling off.
Kallus, is that really you complaining about me being bumped back to 4.5? Did you forget that you have two match wins over me (1 in league and 1 at Lost Forest)?
To No Clue!!...I dont have the game of someone like Omana. I guess you are basing your names on players compared to others at their own level, not the names they are beside.
2009 should be fun.
Dinker
dinker, what level do you play 2009? i hope 4.5 or are you scared of kallus?
scared of Knutson and Sarosh
Oh brother, and the trash talk continues...
Dinker would destroy Sarosh, Arya, and Knutson.
They were talking about Sarosh, Kallus, and Knutson. Where did Arya's name come up?
Sarosh and Knuston's serve, forehand, backhand and mediocre net play are too weak for 4.5s. therefore Dinker would kill them with the pace.
Long live Dinker.
just brought it up because he belongs in the same category and probably thinks he can take out dinker.
Arya, just play 4.5 and have fun.
Arya is gonna get his ass kicked by Lord of the Strings aka Thomas Reader next year. I predict a slaughter in the form of 6-0, 6-0.
I see no reason to put a govonor on anyone here. This shit is funny!
Hey "Patrick Chase"--youre the definition of a hypocrite. Unless you sign up for a google account you're posting anonymous as well.
Barack
That is my real name. I moved to Houston from Florida a year ago and I enjoy playing tennis. A friend of mine told me about this blog and I must say its dreadful. Houston should be ashamed of this garbage. The people hit with are really nice and huge change from coming on here reading insults about other players.
Patrick Chase
Patrick,
I would consider the quality of my own blogs before critizing the fact that others are critizing. Its the "be the change that you want to see in the world" kinda thing. The future of the blog is in your hands.
Patrick Chase to be the next Knutson or Sarosh? sure is talking a lot of trash.
I am talking a lot of trash? Give me a break how am I talking trash. I have not said anything NEGATIVE about any tennis player. My comment was directed to the individuals on here that always throw insults at other players. Example how many posts on here are negative towards Daniel Kallus? I do not know Kallus, but it is an example of the negativity on this blog.
Also why do people still post anonymous on here? What are you afraid of?
Patrick Chase
Patrick take a chill pill dude. You ain't gonna change a thing about some of the bloggers here. They love to cut you down in a New York second if you know what I mean.
Patrick, what level do you play? Could not find any tournament info on you. Things are slightly less insulting on the league blog, but this one can be more fun some times.
Patrick, you need to acknowledge that Sarosh is your tennis god. after that will be respected.
kallus, have you appealed your rating yet?
In Florida I played Open and 5.0. Court surface in Florida is usually hard tru clay and clay courts are all over in Florida. Houston seems to have a lot of hard courts, but few clay courts here. I know the Houston Racquet Club and River Oaks Country Club have clay. I have not played any tournaments or league since I have been here. Currently just playing to have fun. I may play the Coke or Gallery Open Major Zone in Houston this spring. I guess I would play Open if I decide to play.
Just wish Houston had some public clay courts. Perhaps someday.
Patrick Chase
No plans to appeal. I don't anticipate getting to play much in 2009 so I don't see it mattering. Plus I don't recall ever saying I planned on appealing my rating. If I ever get bumped down it will be due to natural causes not appeal. I try to keep my tennis-related whining to on-the-court activities if at all possible.
"Just wish Houston had some public clay courts. Perhaps someday."
Welcome to Hard Court tennis. If you want to play on dirt, then I suggest you pack your bags and go back to Florida dude.
Patrick should have to wupp arya's ass so that he can be classified at least a 4.5.
great,looks like this patrick chase dude might be another "chip"from cali.i love it when cocksuckers move here and then start throwing the insults.step on the court with me dipshit and lets get this party started.if you played 5.0 or open in florida,then maybe you could hang with arya,that would make you a legit 4.5. by the way whoever thinks that moser has a good forehand,has to have a fucking mental defect.
Depends on definition of good. Consistent, hell no. Massive when it actually lands in the court, yes. Maybe "Dangerous Forehand" is a better description than "Good Forehand". LOTS, for my money you definitely have the best shit-chop, wacky-ass drop shot I have ever seen. That is meant as a sincere complement.
What if Patrick Chase played Arya and kills him then what would Patricks true NTRP level be?
If Patrick beat Arya Majed, then he is a bona-fide 4.0 at least.
Lord of the Strings aka Thomas Reader rips another one. Welcome back to the blog. You absence was dearly missed.
Did I read the results right?"Reader defeats Dibua 6-3 6-1 you've got to be kidding me!I've seen them both play,and Dibua,I thought looked like a much better athlete,and had a much better serve then Reader.AND it was in the masters tournament?No f----g way!!Has to be a misprint!
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