ILuvBillVal wrote:I agree, but up until REALLY recently I hadn't felt that way. Half of my damn advances in tournaments were walkovers because people would never make an effort to play then I'd get stuck against someone like Coolhand or Norberto who I just wasn't ready for and they'd kick my ass. I got through a lot of rounds I ought to have not gotten through at first.
Things are different now. I'm finally beginning to feel "officially" confident in my game. It's not like, "ooohh I might serve good today" or "I think I can play a good rally here and there" it's like a complete feeling of being ready. So yeah this should be the end of the challenger road for me.
Now get off my back!
I am totally with you on this one Iluvbillval, I played challengers when I first started out, I ended up winning 5 in total and by my second one people were telling me to stop playing because I was too good.
Like you said, with playing the majors so early I knew I was good enough to give the top players at least a run for their money but I didn't want to play round 32 then get put out in R16 = i.e. 2 matches max.
With playing challengers, I was able to play 4 matches (i.e. ITST match practice) and yes in turn it increased my confidence and ability in the game. Therefore I believe part of my recent success is due to developing properly early on.
Chunk Deuce, I am sorry, you are smoking out of your bottom on the points argument - Iluv knows he could play a challenger say, and it usually gives either 25 or 100 points if he won. Alternatively he could enter a 250+ tourny instead and win one match and get 90 points etc - so the argument is not really valid IMO.
Furthermore, this ain't a baby sitting academy, if players are going to develop their game they need good competition, its no good saying, "Iluv stop playing challengers so some of the newer less skilled players can get better" - how will they get better if they play only average skilled players - because the reality is if ITST stripped out all of the players like Murda, Iluv, Brisktian etc of out challengers then someone won - it wouldnt necessarily mean that they had achieved a great lot because if they were not tested and then came into the major and got hammered then what?
Fact is the challenger rule is in place, 30 + allowed (or whatever it is), set by ITST so that should decide all the arguments. If they wanted to they could increase it to 50+. However you are always going to get players like ILuv, Murda, myself who perhaps were already accomplished players at rank 50-100 (or whatever) and always destined to top 20 - its just down to seperating the men from the boys.
Take Amir Kahn (boxer), Frank Warren knew he was a talent, but let him fight "nobodys" for longer than he should to protect his career prospects and to get fight practice, however "nobodys" knew that if they managed an upset it could sprig board their careers and boost their confidence - so, its the same with ITST challengers. You know its right
