Pickleball! How Would You Do Against These Players Playing For 3.5 Gold Medals At The 2024 U S Open? 

I'm glad you shared this Rory, I've played rec for about 2 years and after seeing this I think I'm a 3.75 because I do believe that I play better most of the time. I always wonder about that though, and I never had the context of the US Open to judge against.

Thanks

Great video commentary. Kudos to the finalists! I don't see any knee brace so I think these fellas are in their best condition for 55-59 age bracket.

Not 3.5 players

Im 51 and started this January. I just entered my first 3.0 mixed tournament and won 1st. One of the teams complained that I wasnt 3.0 and I felt bad but Im truly just starting out. I cant imagine overall that Im better than these guys but their play today…looking tired and slow…wud give me a def chance. The player in white on the near courts serve is suspect but I cant see it clear enough to be sure. It seems he makes contact near almost shoulder level. He def foot faults some. That said he seemed to be the best of the four that day. I think we need to remember this was a legit US Open Gold Medal game and that they were probably extremely tired by that point.

Props to these 2 teams for competing in the finals. My doubles partner and I are both in the 3.7 range, and I think we could hang with (and probably beat) both of these teams. We do have a bit of an age advantage--I'm 50; he's 42--but I like our odds.

I think I could compete with either of these teams. Great for them both getting medals!

As a 3.0-3.5 player the biggest problem I have is consistency. One day I can play great and the next day horrible. As I watch these players on this day, I could probably play better even on a bad day, but I’m willing to cut them a break and assume they are having a bad day.

Can someone explain a reason for stacking on odd? Far team, left side (as playing) player serves as one?

People forget the "video effect." When watching pickleball, the play always appears 0.5 to 1.0 levels lower than real life. Watching myself, I look like a 3.0 player, but in real life, I'd like to think I'm at worst, a solid 3.7.

I'm 72 and have been playing drop in recreational pickleball for 2+ years. Never played tournaments or DUPR events. This really looked like a pickup game at the park. I could ahve played in this match and been ok. It's funny how weird ratings can be. I have no idea what mine is, especially after watching so many of your videos? Maybe thats your point sometimes? No matter it's always fun!

I think I would be able to play against these teams and maybe even beat them depending on how well I play for I also have games like this where it doesn’t go as well expected.

I'm unsure. I'm 50+ in age and play my clubs 3.0 to 3.5 courts and do very well. But all my tournaments at 3.0 I have an absolutely horrible record. And my dupr is 2.8, all set when I had only been playing a few months. So who knows what heat, tiredness, mental pressure and other factors took them to where the game does seem kind of "meh" for 3.5, gold medal play. Congrats to them for getting there!

So to be fair it's always hard to judge players when you are not playing against them. I also feel that the heat, other games the same day and just other circumstances may be in play. With that said, our group plays at roughly a 3.0-4.0 at a similar age and I do feel like any of our players in any combination would give these players good games if not win. To be fair, we're going off local DUPR vs them at the US Gold Medal match. My congratulations to both teams on getting to that point!

I don't think these guys are playing at the 3.5 level in this game but they got to the gold medal round at 3.5. I won't judge them based on this one and only game I've seen them play. Could I have beaten them in this game? I'd like to think so. Could I have beaten them earlier in the day? I don't know. I didn't see those games.

They look tired maybe? Could be combo of hot sun and a long day because I'm 3.5 and would do better than the losing team at least.

Hey Rory, I am interested in playing tournaments. Do you have to play your age group? Or in other words, can I play with younger players?

This video came up in my feed and I thought the same thing. I asked my son if he thought I could compete with them. He said for sure, they look slow and make a lot of mistakes. Exactly what i thought. Still brings up my consistent question of is there a difference between levels at different ages? Are 3.5 18-35 players better than this? For sure! But how many 55-59 true 4.0+ players are there in relation to total p[layers in that age range.

This group is deceptively better than they look on this video. Probably a little tired from a long day in the heat. But they constantly attempt to angle the ball sharply at every opening, the also deliver put aways on most sitters. Both of the guys in white hats are pretty good players and their partners are a lot better than your typical 3.5 player.

Hello, is there a way to send you a video I’d like you to pick apart? (Namely: “Men’s Friday Championship - Game 2 - June 21, 2024”)

I play in The Villages (Florida). I suspect our ratings may be a bit conservative. That said, they look like our 3.0 players.

This match answers my Q: US Gold is only for those who buy the plane tickets to enter. These guys aren’t even good 3.5 players.

To answer your question, like yourself, and probably most people watching this match...I would annihilate them! As an advanced player in his mid 40's, not sure they could even return my serves. Good on them though for playing this great sport and doing so well in their division!

They seem to be playing quite tired, which makes sense at this stage.

That is a low quantity us open tournament if this guys can get to the gold medal round.i played for 9 months and consider myself a 3.5 player, i think i can easily beat these guys.

i think both players near courts are using gearbox pro, in which they have no business using it, they have 0 control over it,11:31 the poacher was in the nvz, should have been a foot fault.

The guy in black is carrying at least 40 extra pounds. He probably can't play in a low stance without significant pain. He looks tired, which is not surprising given his extra weight. The near team keeps hitting to the guy without a hat, who is killing them in the short game. It's very easy to tell which player on each team is the weak link. A little shocking that this is the gold game. Compare this to the mixed doubles 60-65 gold match also featured on this channel. No comparison.

3.0 max on my opinion

When I see that backhand serve (13:52) I wonder who they're copying. There's no particular spin on it and it's always short and weak. It doesn't win points at any level above 3.0.

Looks a lot like my game! Maybe I am a 3.5? Maybe????

Was this video recorded or played at normal speed? It looked slow to me????

Starting at 10:38, there are 3 very poor excuses for a Lob. Is it Christmas? Why in the world would anybody, repeatedly, lob directly to a player standing at the NVZ? Lob over your opponent's head. Move him back. The objective is, a ball he can't get to or at the very least, after he gets to the ball, he is way back in the court giving you the advantage. On the other side of the net, when your opponent gives you a gift like that, don't return the ball so it bounces in front of him. Slam it at their feet or as they did the 3rd time, hit it to where they are not. At 11:30, I love the poach then slamming the ball into his opponent's left shoulder. Well done! BTW, a 5.0 player would have targeted his right shoulder, chicken-winging him. Some play is 3.5 level. Some is less.

I think I could have won this medal game. I would consider myself a 3.0 player though. Maybe 3.3. A lot of unforced errors, very easy ones. No ready position, and very questionable play up until the 6-6 score line.

I don't know.... I played pickleball in PE in high school and we had a net at our house and played almost daily, late spring to early fall. I have been to a few clubs where they play and to parks where these yahoos in matching shirts and shorts act like they are pro tennis players and honestly, they all would get smoked by any one of my friends or myself. I don't know what the ratings are or how this works but if this is supposed to be competitive top level pickleball, it's pretty sad.

Maybe by the time they got to the finals both teams were very tired and didn’t play their best…

How bad was the play in this tourney if this is a 3.5 mens Gold medal match?

I'm a 3.5 and I'm pretty sure I could play with these guys.

You would expect longer rallies in a 3.5 gold medal match, instead of serve, return, net..

Game seemed to be pretty low energy. Like many have said, it’s easy to judge. We all think we look better until we see ourselves on camera. Let’s just say that the group (especially the guys in the near court) didn’t play with much sense of urgency. Never would have guessed a gold medal was on the line.

3,5????🤔They are younger than me, but not better. If they are the best in the group then how do the others play? 🤔

I guess because of their age they are 3.5. I would rate them under 3.0 just based on this performance

Is this really 3.5?

Terrible court, no room to move. Who made them?, quite bizarre!

These guys are 3.0s due no type of consistency or strategy. It’s just 4 dudes smacking the ball around.

I guess 3.5 isn't as good as I thought.

If there was 12 teams in the bracket, then have they already played 10 games. They may be worn out.

I'm 68 and feel I can beat these guys any day of the week.

There is no consistency in any of these guys games. I’d put them at 3.0. If they are 3.5 then I’m a 4.0, and I don’t think I am.

No way this is the gold medal in a 3.5 tourney. These guys are barely 3.0 players.

Not 3.5.

Guy in black could elevate is game by simply getting into a ready position quickly. He’s lazy.

Painful, cannot watch. Watching this puts me at a solid 5