Arkansas Tennis Blog

New ratings came out 2 weeks ago, but my lazy ass did nothing but look over and peek. No real surprises to be honest although there was a certain 4.5 player that appealed down to 4.0 somehow, guess competition was too tough after going 3-1. Thanks USTA Clowns. The 4.5 Chasm has gotten much bigger now with several bumps from 4.0 to 4.5, no real moves from 4.5 to 4.0 other than the appeal. Few older statesmen got appeals from 5.0 to 4.5 (Welcome back Alex and David) and a couple of 4.5/5.0 players will be joining the 40+ gang this coming year. The Suck It Award goes to Kiker and Nordentoft for about the 4th straight year, guess USTA just hates these guys and refuse to let them back down to 4.0 even with the losses mounting. The Wiseman comes back to 4.5, Big Red makes his debut at 4.5, a Baptist Pastor also makes a return 4.5, while doubles prodigy remains 4.0, and Big Lee gets to stay at 4.0, ATA's favorite son remains a 4.5, while 55+ gang get bumped to the desert called 5.

Well the youngsters finished Sectionals last weekend and well my predicitions kinda sucked. AR 4.0: 2-2, but could have been 4-0 with 2 MTB wins. No Wiseman, no Kaliki probably hurt, but it is what it is. Not sure who gets bumped to 4.5 next, although have to assume, Zimmerman, Meredith, Wiseman are likely candidates. AR 4.5: 0-4, not wholly unexpected, this was more of a 40 and over team, with a couple youngsters to feed to the brutal heat. Good fights but not their year. Believe Casey G. saved himself a bump with a few losses at Sectionals. AR 5.0: 0-4, pretty disappointing result, this team was pretty stacked, but without a Kajevski and Martinex would have been tough but with a few of the guys though would have done better. 40 and overs started today and the 4.5 Men got a big win over GA (A). . Good luck the rest of the way for the 4.5 guys. With a dominating 5-0 win over SC the men play the Finals this morning, I would think they would be the favorites against NC. Single

2017 Sectionals for Arkansas Wait was there a season this year, guess so even if I decided to hack my way thru disc courses of the SE. Oh just waiting for the 40s season in 2018 so this old man can get his butt kicked by the over 40s  5.0 players, but anyways who cares about the washed up hacker. With out further adieu, lets look at the divisions 4.0 and above divisions. For those 3.5 and below, don't come complaining, because I don't care. 4.0: So lets see the team I would have thought to win easily in AR, took their lumps but came thru and won the State, I mean come on when you have a bunch of former 4.5 old men and 5.0 level Seniors, you should win. This is loaded by AR standards and consider to be best team at 4.0 level coming out since the 2008 team that took 2nd at Nationals. Big question can the old guys handle the heat? Lots of experience on this team as well with many members having been to sectionals before. Expect Wise"crack"man to try and keep his