Seed(ing) Question

[tacoben]

Is it common for a lower rank player to be seeded higher than a higher ranked player in the same event even though there is a slight difference in points?

[BigBUBBA]

No. Or atleast not near me. It's purley by rank-I have usually beaten the seeds, yet I've never been seeded because the ranking system doesn't benefit me so much.

~Bubbs

[woodrow1029]

are you talking amateur or professional tournaments?

[tacoben]

are you talking amateur or professional tournaments?

USTA Junior events.

[Booyah]

yeah junior events are usually seeded according to the ranking list.

[SoCal10s]

USTA Junior events.

if it's USTA Nat'l tournament they usually just go by Nat'l ranking points.. if it's sectional tournament then they go by sectional rankings .. if the tournament is a Nat'l tournament in a certain section,even though a player could be ranked higher in the section but the other player has more Nat'l points that's how the seed will reflect...

[eeytennis]

Is it common for a lower rank player to be seeded higher than a higher ranked player in the same event even though there is a slight difference in points?

No, it's not common, they are usually very strict when it comes to seeding by ranking. I do often see though players who are MUCH better than the number one seed yet they are not seeded at all. Stupid, yes, but I think that it's a good way to seed for USTA's at least...there would be too many arguments if people went by other factors besides one's ranking (such as personal opinion of the players' level and such). However, head to head can be a good way to go, but I witnessed the seeding of one particular tournament and there were major arguments, even with something that should seem so simple.

[10isDad]

Generally tournament directors are going to do things the easiest way possible, which would be directly from rankings. However, the following is from the the USTA Rules:

4. Factors to consider in seeding. Seedings merely represent the committee’s subjective ratings of the various players’ chances of winning the tournament. These ratings may not be based on whim, caprice, or hunches, but instead shall be justified by a reasonable amount of factual evidence. The committee shall consider all available evidence, including, but not limited to, rankings, current records, types of surface and particularly head-to-head encounters. Two outstanding doubles players playing together for the first time should be considered for a place on the seeded list.

[tacoben]

Generally tournament directors are going to do things the easiest way possible, which would be directly from rankings. However, the following if from the the USTA Rules:

The committee shall consider all available evidence, including, but not limited to, rankings, current records, types of surface and particularly head-to-head encounters. Two outstanding doubles players playing together for the first time should be considered for a place on the seeded list.

Aha! that makes sense. Reason why I posted this question is that my girl is seeded lower than a lower ranked player in an upcoming event, but they played previously where my daughter lost. Thanks for the clarification!