So long 2009. So long USTA participation....

Maybe that is a bit of an overstatement. We shall see. I for one don't see the 3.0 to 3.5, 3.5 to 4.0, 4.0 to 4.5, and 4.5 to 5.0 (oh wait, there weren't any) bump-ups eagerly signing up for events in 2010. Will the 2009 30th-ranked 4.0 want to drive 200 miles to get spanked by the top 4.5 guys who stayed put? I doubt it. Will a team of 4.0s who couldn't win their division in league play be excited about the prospect of getting humiliated by the latest edition of the Freeman All-Star team. I doubt that too. But I bet the 41st ranked 4.0 from 2009 who was left at 4.0 for 2010 is pretty darn excited. That guy only has Kris (I know how to game the system to get bumped down a year after making Master's Cup) Knutson between himself and 4.0 domination. Obviously I am a bit skeptical of the USTA's recent move. Maybe it will be a good thing. Typically, these type of decisions made by bureaucrats at the National level never achieve the polyannish objectives they envision. In this case, it must have been to level out the competitive landscape for league competition, tournament players be damned.

Other than that, I don't really know what to expect or look forward to in 2010. Maybe instead of seeing the departure of unexpectedly bumped players, we will see the return of players that have been missing from the circuit the past couple of years. Lots of Houston die-hards that in the past played every event no matter how far away seem to have faded from the scene. Work, Family, Decline of Game, Bad Economy - who knows the reason, but I don't see a lot of the faces around Houston courts (let alone at tournaments) that I used to consider permanent fixtures on the scene. Kinda hard to talk and/or joke about you if you are not out there playing. Let's hope we see everyone back on the court in 2010 and that unexpectedly USTA got it right and somehow tournament tennis is a more enjoyable experience for everyone in the new year.

See you on the courts.

Guess 4.0 Draws were too big....

....that's the only reason I can see for bumping up a ton of 4.0s and pretty much leaving everyone at 4.5 untouched. Too bad, cause it is the 5.0 draws that really suffer from lack of players. The reality is we are thinking like tournament players and I am sure this "mass" re-rating has everything to do with league play. If it is true that 40 of the top 50 4.0s were bumped up, it seems ridiculous that not even 5 of the top 10 4.5s were not bumped up. USTA has done a lot of bone-headed things the past few years, yet it appears that overall USTA tennis participation continues to rise. It will be interesting to see if a backlash against the new ratings and the ridiculous level of entry fees have an adverse impact in 2010.

Bring in the scrubs...

Is there a USTA NTRP players' strike that I am not aware of? I ask cause I can't for the life of me understand why I see a bunch of names in the draws for the Master's Cup in Austin that should not be there. 4 of the 8 qualifiers for 5.0 are not in the draw. Maybe that should not be a surprise given the sad state of 5.0 tournament tennis in general. 4.5's - No Tim Green and no David Luetke. No Tim is a surprise cause I figured he would want to add this title to his collection before heading back up to 5.0 next year. Nothing else to add here really, as far as Houston's presense at the event it is a shame as John Patch, Odion Dibua, and Tim Green are out and only Reggie Black is in. Odion is the only guy I felt could have given Reader a run for his money, so Reader I hope I am not jinxing you by saying it should now be your event to lose. You are technically from Houston so I hope you do win it. 4.5s, I will still go with Juan Dekruyff to win it as he, like Tim, will be bumped up to 5.0 for the new year. As always good luck to all that are playing.

Master...Master...All I see or hear is Master...

I think I have that lyric right, but it's probably been a decade since I heard that song. Anyway, that's my lame segway into the year end Master's Cup. Start with 5.0: Here are your 8 qualifiers - John Patch, Henry Manalo, Thomas Reader, Odion Dibua, Jason Gound, John McDonough, Henry Akono, and Phillip Zavala. I will call it a coin toss between Reader and Dibua to take the title. Dibua can physically destroy anyone. Reader is very skilled and crafty and it depends how much he cares whether he wins this event. If he wants to win this title then I can only see Dibua preventing him from getting it. I will pull for Reader cause just maybe it will make him hate me less.

In the 4.5s, your final 8 are: Tim Green, Jochen Moser, Alejandro Sanchez, David Luetke, Scott Sevin, Juan Dekruyff, Ben Hawkins, and Guillermo Martin Del Campo. I will look for the winner to come from either Green or Dekruyff. Both are being moved up to 5.0 at year end so that should mean Tim will want to win this title since I believe it is one he does not already hold. In Juan's case, it should mean that he will play right-handed when it matters instead of toying with his opponents by beating them with his off hand. If Juan shows for all matches he would be my pick to win.

In the 4.0s, I really have only heard of Ruben Vargas from the top eight so I guess I will go with him.

It's all my fault...

That's what someone keeps posting anyway. Look I don't care whether you treat each with utmost respect or act like kids and cut each other down. My policy is that if I see people being attacked on very personal, 100% non-tennis related levels, I will remove it. Plus I am trying to be at least a bit PC by removing as much of the homophobic comments as I can. But I do not have the time nor do I have the interest to police every comment as it is posted. In that case, I would just start requiring registration again. If the conversations on this blog bother you, then please just don't come here.

With that out of the way, congrats to Fall Fest winners and I guess talk should now turn to Master's Cup in Austin with a little conversation thrown Lost Forest's way. I believe deadline for Lost Forest is October 9th. That might be the last one for the year here in Houston, so make the most of it.

Let the games begin....

You can go ahead and attack me now but due to 80% poll response in favor of anonymous posting, I have reinstated it. We have gone too long without some fool recklessly insulting Kallus, Schmucker, Foad, Sarosh, LOTS, etc. I will try to be more diligent with regard to policing the posts. Let's see if we can make this work cause this blog basically died a couple months back when we tried to allow only registered users. No one registered cause apparently no one has anything to say unless they can say it anonymously. Feel free to click on some ads while you are between anonymous rants. Oh yeah, and good luck at Copperfield to those participating. Throw down a prediction or two if you feel so inclined. My picks for 4.5, either Wayne Morgan or Dave McMullan.

Is there anyone still playing tennis?

Cause you sure aren't talking about it. Sectionals coming up soon. Do you even care? Is this really better than allowing anonymous posting? Say something. Seriously, say something.

HTTS 2.0 - Weekend Preview

I am still on the fence about this new era of Houston Tourney Tennis Scene but I will give it time. If nothing else, profanity is down by 100%. As far as tennis this weekend, pretty busy. Start with the smaller, closer to home event, Conroe. 4.5 doubles is stacked with strong talent for a tourney this small. Must be some type of pre-playoffs/sectionals league practice. As far as singles, I will go with Green winning over Abshire in the finals.

Moving up I-45 to to Fort Worth, one thing is obvious...the bottom of that 4.5 draw is much more stacked than the top half, with Moser, Cherry, Rivera, and Schmucker all in the bottom mix. Right now, I look for Luedtke to make it throught the top (feel free to prove me wrong Scott Sevin), and either Rivera or Cherry to take the bottom. Probably Cherry. The fact that 3rd sets will likely not be played could definitely keep the older guys like Luedtke and Rivera in the mix longer than you think, but I will go with Cherry to take the title.

5.0 Round robin - I will go with Mcdonough if the guy is really back to playing tennis again. He used to be pretty solid if not somewhat theatrical on the courts.

Have fun if you are playing and if you want this blog to flourish, please register even if under a vague user-name so that we can make sure this blog achieves more than a means for Reader and Dekruyff to avoid having to go to Facebook to catch up with each other every day. Just joking, at least you guys are posting.

Restart...

Due to intense pressure and the threats of legal action, the previous posting and resulting message stream was removed. I will likely do one of two things. 1) Require registration for posting, i.e. no more anonymous posting, or 2) just delete the blog entirely and get on with my life and let you guys get on with yours. I get very little out of doing this. I provide this forum cause I figured those of you that play tournaments might actually make it informative or entertaining. So far I have been dead wrong. Up to you if you want it to keep going.

Back on tourney news, I predict Alejandro Sanchez wins 4.5 singles.

Juneteenth....Time for the Chase.

Hey, with my focus currently on Wimbledon, I will let you guys have at it with regard to the all-important (sarcastic) Juneteenth event this weekend. In my past, I had a policy of "NO Consolation = No Play Tourney", so I have never been a big fan of this event. Obviously, the biggest question this weekend will be whether or not a real person by the name of Patrick Chase shows up at Juneteenth as a spectator. I am in the camp that says no he will not as he does not exist other than in the typings of a wayward tennis player.

There is a yellow rose in Texas...

I think that lyric has something to do with Tyler. If not, too bad. Looks like more of the cast of regulars will be back in action this next tournament. The heat should finally be enough of a factor to impact the outcome of matches so that should throw some wrinkles into things. I am not going to bother making any predictions this time around, other than there will be at least one rain shower during the event, most likely on Friday or early morning Saturday. No, I am not getting into meteorology. Its based on what seemed to happen every time I went to that tournament in years passed. Remember to BYOB, it is Tyler after all.

And Now For Something Completely Different....

Not really, but I always liked that line from Monty Python, back in the good ole days. Before we turn to Tyler talk in a week or so, I think we should focus our efforts and the power of this blog (as if) to make this Green/Moser match happen. Not that there is any bad blood between the two or that the matchup is so compelling it would be a travesty for it not to happen, but just because. There are other matchups I would like to see happen. How about another Schmucker/Knutson showdown? Those are always tight.

Waco Time 2009

Time to start talking up Waco. 5.0, why do you guys even bother? 4.5, 33 guys signed up so that's not too bad. Early predictions, Alejandro Sanchez and Tim Green should be favorites. Once again, there are some names missing from the list that surprise me. Looks like at least a couple of the Houston die-hard tennis junkies have finally gotten tired of being non-factors at these tournaments. All good things eventually run their course. How bout that Federer? And dont' tell me about the altitude or that Nadal was tired and maybe even injured. Don't think Fed will win the French but with him and Novak both given Nadal trouble recently and Murray also playing well, this could be finally be an interesting French Open. What does that have to do with Waco? I think they overlap on the schedule. Best of the Best and the Texas Wanna-Be's all going at it over the same weekend.

Time to get out and work on that Coppertone...CORRECTION - Make that Copperfield tan.

Copperfield time. From the size and quality of the 4.5 draw it looks like this event is much more deservant of MZ status than Corpus was, but so it goes. It seems like a distant memory now, but there was actually a time when the 5.0 draw at this tourney made. Alas, no more. But that just means, the 4.5 guys get to welcome John Patch as a likely full time 4.5 player for the rest of the year. In singles, I will make an early call that Schmucker, Morgan, Kent, and Martinez will be in the mix late in the draw. Can't really call a winner, but would say Kent has a pretty good shot as this is his homecourt tourney. 4.5 doubles? Wow. The Dibuas going against each other for a change should make for an exciting match if their teams should meet. Would have liked to see a Dubuas vs. Dugas showdown, but this will do.

WindFest 2009

Can you hear them winds a blowing? Do you like it? Well, then Corpus is just the tournament for you. Not going to comment much on this one. My early pick for 4.5 winner is Alejandro Sanchez. Moser should make it to semis and maybe even the finals if he comes to net with his major wing span. I am probably short changing someone but I will wait til there is a draw before I go any further. As far as 5.0, I cannot call it. 50/50 toss-up and a shame too because someone will be driving 235 miles to turn around and come home with 1 point. 5.0 has never had much of a draw down in Corpus but this one takes the cake. Only comparable draw I can think of was the Abiline draw of a few years back where Schmucker played against some other guy from Houston in a ABILENE FINAL played in Houston. I assume Reggie and John will at least be making the drive down to Corpus. Anyway, I am sure I will post again when there is an actual draw.

Talk Some More...Gallery Furniture Open Really Will Take Your Money...And Hopefully Give You A T-Shirt That Is Not Too Crappy.

Hit 200 comments so time for fresh post.

Will keep it short. If you like doubles, the 4.5 draw is stacked like mad. Almost every first round match will be interesting. Really good draw. Coin toss as to who emerges the winner.

4.5 Singles - Sticking with Sanchez as winner, though this Lacy guy is getting talked up pretty strong here on the blog.

Open - I will also go with Euvgeny. The guy went deep in qualifying at River Oaks 2 years ago and played qualifying for the U.S. Clay Courts two years ago. He is strong.

5.0 - This may be the least interesting 5.0 draw in years. 5.0 as a level is unfortunately withering away to nothing. Maybe guys like Green will creep back up there if they do not have strong showings at 4.5 this weekend. There are about 10 guys in 4.5 that really should be playing 5.0. Please don't get started on defending your 4.5 status. Your arguments are weak.

Weather - Looks pretty good . At least for Friday. Doesn't look like heat will be much of a factor, but you never know.

Good luck to everyone.

Now you can start talking...

Until we get the actual draws, here is some fodder for discussion. This is my early list of guys to watch in 4.5 at the Gallery, in alphabetical order:

Pat Abshire - drops down after a few year run at 5.0's, mini-Agassi, no particular weapons but one hell of a grinder.

Sarosh Ahmed - good strokes, way too cocky, and armed with the deadliest line-calling in Houston.

Omon Dibua - tennis monster, can't get any ball past this guy when he is at the net, nasty serve too.

Jose Garcia - have heard good things about this guy from the San Antonio MZ in February, probably another strong former junior knocking off the dust.

Tim "Henman" Green - best serve and volleyer in Houston, along with Benson, also the best at working the system...probably has already declared himself the winner.

Wayne Morgan - Already won one MZ this year, strong in 2008 but went down meekly to Moser at Lost Forest in October

Jochen Moser - The Terminator, massive topspin forehand, and will take your head off if you drop your guard at the net. Can he handle so many matches in one weekend?

Alejandro Sanchez - Already won a MZ this year...at 5.0...beating Reader...without much trouble. Keep an eye on this one.

Also good to see that most of the cast of regulars are turning out as well, resulting in a rather decent draw size. Lots of names I don't recognize so please feel free to point out the sandbaggers, ringers, and dark horses that others need to be aware of.

Back later with some 5.0 talk. All 10 words of it.

Journeyman

Too Soon for Gallery Talk

It's too soon for me to start making any Gallery 2009 comments but that last stream is definitely way too long now. I will just leave you guys with this cause I thought it was pretty cool. We don't exactly get a ton of visits to this blog but over the last week we did have people log in from 11 different states and from 3 countries outside of the US, including India. Not bad for a site that spends all its time bashing the same 2 people and praising 1 guy from San Antonio who spends all his time threatening the rest of us. Where is the world headed?

Enuff! San Antonio Time

Hey. I haven't had a chance to dig into the San Antonio major this weekend, if I do I will come back with predictions. I will say this. I do not pick Mario Gloria to win 4.5. I guess that is a start. Main point of the new post is just to refresh the comment string and give LOTS and the new-to-the-scene-and-I-for-one-am-not-very-impressed-yet GOT a fresh thread for slamming each other. Good luck to you crazy fools still spending your loot to fund USTA's misguided tournament efforts. I would join you if I could.

Follow Up (10 minutes later): Just looked at the draws, I guess Mario Gloria is the favorite to win 4.5. Scott Sevin the #1 seed...w0w, not a high point for the SA tournament. I have always thought of him as the Kallus of Austin. Plays a ton of tournaments, decent guy to talk to off the courts, can hang with lesser players, but definitely not one to fear in 4.5s. Maybe I am wrong. Here is a chance to prove it cause losing in straight sets to Moser in Abilene didn't help Scott's case. 5.0 - Congrats Reader on another 5.0 victory. Maybe Sanchez can breathe some new life into 5.0. 4.0 - at least the draw is big, 65 players, so there is a winner in there somewhere.

Has the tennis year started? Really? I hadn't noticed.

It is hard to believe that Mabry is this weekend. This tournament used to be a pretty big deal. I guess it still is for seniors (major zone) but the 400, 200, 100 point tournament system has weakened its appeal as has the hit-or-miss weather this time of year. 16 draw for singles in 4.5 compared to 32 draws in years past. Did 5.0 even make? Did they even offer it? Berry Creek, disappointing participation. Abilene? If I saw it correctly, there were 9 guys signed up for 4.5 and only 3 for 5.0. Things are definitely amiss on the USTA tourney scene. Where are the die-hard regulars that sign up for every tournament? Kallus, you out there? Did you finally throw in the towel? Schmucker, did you decide to save the tourney fees and the hassle that comes with not showing up? Ansari is still at it, so 4.0 has that going for it? Where is the 4.0 graduating class of 2007 (Kern, Warren, etc.) that was so highly talked-up last year but never showed up at events. There is going to be a lot less to talk about this year if things continue the way they have started. I guess the MZ in San Antonio will be the first true test of player commitment this year. Maybe more guys are just planning to play closer to home, so let's see how things go at Lost Forest. I assume the Dugas brothers will play there so it will be interesting to see how many sh*t-talkers accept their challenge and come out to take them down. I wish them well cause it is good to see some new voices being expressed here. Til Later. JM

News Flash to Texas Tournaments...US in economic recession!

Any one else get their USTA book/schedule for 2009 and notice that nearly every tournament in the state raised their entry fee by at least $3 - $5? Please correct me if I am wrong, but would this not seem a strange time for tournaments to be looking to squeeze out extra money from entrants? What makes even less sense is that it is the smaller local type tournaments that will only draw a handful of players for each level anyway that are asking the most. $33 to participate in a draw of 5 people at the nearly-monthly Missouri City events at the oh-so-lovely craphole that is Lee LeClear? Please don't hate me but I think I will pass. And don't get me started on the price to play doubles. $31 bucks to get in a 100 point tourney and I only get 1 guaranteed match? Well that t-shirt better be made out of silk, or in Lord of the Strings case, hemp (just joking LOTS, we all love you...even if you are out to kick each and every one of our asses on and off the court). Anyway, it seems like tournament tennis here in Texas keeps on taking one turn for the worse after another and I honestly don't think the players are to blame. If you ask me, $25 tops for singles entry and $20 per player max for doubles. And don't force me to sign up via the internet and then charge me an extra $3 for making your job easier, Mr. Tournament Director. How's that for kicking off the New Year. If you are bored and have money to burn, don't forget Mabry is coming up shortly for the 200 point, likes-to-travel crowd or you can just blow a wad of cash out at Lee LeClear at the 100 pointer I ranted about earlier. I didn't get enough of a response to the idea of a challenge ladder or one day Houston Tourney Tennis Scene tournament so I will drop the idea for the time being. Now get to hitting.