Monday, February 28, 2011

32 Draw=No Win for Players or TDs

Who KNOW it's early and these changes just took effect.
Still, everyone has a right to an opinion...and they must all be copying from each other because they're all singing the same tune.

We’ve been going to national tournaments for the past 4+ years. We normally see players coming in from everywhere in the country…and there are always a few that just barely got in to their first national tournament. Wow, those parents and coaches are so proud and so happy for the player – before they’ve even hit a single ball!
And how about the kid who was on the alternate list and then got a last minute call to say that someone had withdrawn…there was a slot for them - could they get there in time? Those are great stories to hear because that kid is a winner at the moment he picks up his first t-shirt that says “NATIONAL TOURNAMENT”.

We saw none of those things. We saw players who had already played in a national tournament, we saw that NO players withdrew. We saw that they all came from Florida and the Southern section (with just a few from the Mid-Atlantic section). We know these same kids played each other in the last national and they'll probably play each other again in the next.

This was good competition right off the bat
(or should we say off the racquet).


But no win for players...

The talk amongst the parents around the tournament site about the 32 draw was one of puzzlement. No one, NO ONE was in favor of the change. One parent said he could understand it somewhat but liked it the way it was. According to another: "If the USTA wants the kids to get more experience by playing more matches, then why did they limit the draw to 32?"

We saw more tournament staff, volunteers, court sweepers, and officials than there were players.

A 32 draw meant the tournament director had to do the same amount of work for 1/2 the entry fee. I'm sure there are many TDs this week who are wondering whether it was really worth it to host a tournament with a 32 draw.

Bottom line: You'd like to think TDs run tournaments for the love of the game and for the good of the kids but as you may well know, many TDs do it just for the money. Some break even, but I can't think of many who will run a tournament and lose money.

No winners here...

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