Before I delve any deeper into the topic of the USTA NTRP National Championships, I should disclose that I am in possession of a National Championship trophy from this event. It is pretty.
The USTA has a rich culture of conducting adult National Championship Tournaments. The crown jewel of these tournaments are the “Category I” tournaments which are known as “Gold Ball” events. There are four of these National Championships annually in each adult age division which ranges from age 30 to 90. There is a championship held each year for each surface, clay, hard, grass and indoor. Singles, doubles and mixed doubles are all offered, as are play in family divisions.
When the USTA NTRP National Championship was first created, there was some speculation in the player community that it might be an additional “Gold Ball” tournament. There was considerable opposition to this from the Category I playing community. Winning a gold ball can only result from “Open” tournament play. Constraining participants by age is considered to be open. Restricting participation by a dumb computer algorithm, the NTRP rating calculation, is not. I am glad that the USTA made the decision to not designate the NTRP National Championships as a “Gold Ball” event.
I try to play at least one Category I tournament every year and openly share that I hope to one day win a gold ball. To me it is the pinnacle of senior tennis competition in the USTA. I should also observe that I am not in danger of actually winning a gold ball anytime soon if ever. This is one of those cases where even if I never reach the destination, the journey is still worth it.
The gold ball itself is about the size of a small gumball. The trophy itself isn’t impressive. It’s more about the accomplishment than the bling. That being said, the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club has a display of Dodo Cheney’s gold ball collection. She won a lot of them, 394 to be exact. I hesitated to mention the number because it makes it sound easier to win one of those things than it actually is. I can say that they are more impressive when you see a lot of them together.
I want a gold ball. That thing on my mantle? I can take it or leave it.
I have reached the point in this project where I have come to the realization that my rabbit trails have rabbit trails which also have rabbit trails. I didn’t actually get to the topic that I had intended to write about today, nor did I even get to the actual punch line of this post. That will have to wait until tomorrow.
- About Adult Tournaments, USTA.com, viewed February 25, 2020.
- Dodo Cheney, International Tennis Hall of Fame, veiwed February 25, 2020.
I believe that people should play the tennis events that make them happy. The NTRP National Championships are not for me, but that perspective is shaped by the fact that I have many other higher priority opportunities to play. All of that is a highly personal decision.
If the money bothers you, that might be the way your subconscious is telling you that it isn’t a priority.
(But mixed? There has never been mixed at the NTRP National Championships but it is about to be added.)
This is the second time I am getting a chance to play Singles tennis in Nationals and I played one time in mixed doubles. . I want to give it a last try in the last try in Singles but I am debating with someone if it’s worth spending $1400 in the pursuit of the championship considering I spent the same amount of money last two times. What are your thoughts and experiences?