Now that the experimental match format for collegiate matches has disappeared we are discovering that we were truly spoiled with the new format! Horror tales of long matches from across the country have been coming in and here are just a few Texas examples:
* The Texas A&M vs Florida men's match took 4 hours and 16 minutes.
* The SMU vs UTEP women's match took 4 hours and 31 minutes.
The match between TCU and Tulsa men last night took over 6 hours to complete but they were playing indoors on less than 6 courts.
Final conclusion: If they wanted shortened matches, then the experimental format is the way to go. If they want long matches, then stay with what we have.
The choice isn't our's but I hope someone makes some changes real soon...
The picture above reminds us of an average day for a collegiate tennis official in which they:
* Called 21 footfaults.
* Coded 2 misbehaving players.
* Warned one disruptive coach.
* Ate a cold Subway sandwich with no cheese or mayo.
* Sat in the chair for a four hour women's singles match.
* Drove for 5 hours getting home after a four hour match.
* Had to put up with a mean referee.
* Had to come home to an unhappy spouse.
* Found out my refrigerator was broken when I got home.
* Had to go to work on Monday at my real job.
5 comments:
As someone who worked one of the longest matches, I must credit the players for their excellent play and conditioning.
On the one hand, the players and coaches might feel the current format is the best to determine the best player on a given day, on the other hand, it may not be feasible to maintain the current format in light of costs and other considerations.
I am truly amazed at the physical and mental conditioning it takes for a collegiate player to play a match for 3 plus hours. They are incredible!
The existing format is a real turnoff for spectators, especially if you have to watch a three hour singles match played by the #3 Baylor's player, who does nothing more than hit moonball after moonball. In my opninion, this is not college tennis, but a throwback to 12-and-unders who haven't grown up yet.
Standardize!!!!
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE - it is way to confusing to keep changing... do all of the matches the same... boys, girls, ita, itf, usta etc..
Get a system everyone can agree on and we all win!
I suggest- Reg score - super for third. ALL DIVISIONS ALL AGES.
ONLY IF YOU HAVE DELAYS - go to no ad first and second start 1st and 2nd sets at 2-2.
THIS FORMAT helps with scheduling and may allow MORE tennis to be played in USTA events because TD's will have the option of consolation in both singles and doubles. I am all about giving more bang for the buck! AND, maybe this two hour waiting period can be cut back to one!
IF everyone was "all in" on this format - we would have MORE participation - IF you are the one saying "this is NOT traditional tennis." You are the one holding back progress! Wake up - we are losing tennis players left and right! The cost of tennis is crazy... give more playing time and you'll see the tournaments grow!!!
No matter what format: If we become consistent across the board - we can teach players, parents and officials better.
BACO
The Associate AD called me after an extremely long dual match and asked me why I allowed the players to continue playing after the team match had been decided. I informed the AAD it was the rules, provided the coaches didn't agree to stop play beforehand. Then I added... maybe the team shouldn't schedule TWO dual matches for the same day. Interesting conversation.
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