Maybe we need to come to an understanding about ratings

[TennisDawg]

After reading all the posts, I guess I'm a non-rated player, since I've never been rated and play tennis just for fun and haven't signed up with the USTA or USTA leagues or tournaments. Sort of an illegal, I guess, so far I'm still allowed to play tennis, so far anyway.

[sureshs]

Who said he was a 4.5 and couldn't get a serve in?

[Cindysphinx]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Cindy is super into usta rating. She mentions it in every thread she makes...lol.

Duh, it's the Adult League & Tournament board. LoL!

[jmverdugo]

I agree with Cindy on this one - if you are not in the computer then you are NOT a rated player, period. IMO the good thing about this is that it includes the mental part of playing and actual - and important - match. For instance, I can play and even beat some 4.5 guys while playing for fun but on a real match I choke down to a very decent 4.0 and so that is the rating I should get, period. Saying that you are a 4.5 because you hang out with 4.5 is deceiving yourself.

[Power Player]

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

Duh, it's the Adult League & Tournament board. LoL!

I play in an adult league in which the coaches and director rate you and only allow 4.0-5.0. It's non usta.

[Cindysphinx]

Originally Posted by dizzlmcwizzl

What I find interesting is that the guidelines that they give are getting better as I improve. What I mean by that is before I had played much tennis (1 year maybe) I looked at the guidelines and thought myself to be a 4.5 player ... which amazed me because I was at that time I was barely a 3.5 player.

Oh, yes. Definitely.

I think two things happen. First, we are all better when there is not pressure. So we may hang with a 4.0 player in practice or drills, but we can't in a match.

Second, though, is that folks don't realize that the rating descriptions seem to assume you are playing against a computer-rated player of that level. I can look like a 5.0 in a match against a 2.5 player. Against another 4.0, I look like a 4.0 (hopefully).

At a minimum, the ratings descriptions should point out these two things.

[Cindysphinx]

Originally Posted by Power Player

I play in an adult league in which the coaches and director rate you and only allow 4.0-5.0. It's non usta.

Congratulations?

My point is that if you are telling folks that you are a 5.0 (or 4.0 or 4.5) based on what the coaches and directors of your league are telling you and not based on a USTA computer rating . . . well, that is not accurate.

You may in fact have skills that would allow you to be a computer-rated 5.0, but that doesn't mean you should claim to be a 5.0. 'Cause without that actual computer rating, you're just guessing.

Frankly, the problems I am describing are more likely limited to those who are 4.5 and below. There aren't many USTA league playing opportunities for 5.0s, so that does tend to be a different orbit.

[Cindysphinx]

Originally Posted by jc4.0

I've played on USTA and a few other leagues - I played at the same level, encountered similar types/levels of players, and had similar results. The rules are also the same - you win a lot, you move up. You lose a lot, you move down. What else matters? You prove yourself at your self-rated level. And as we know, USTA players also start out self-rated. This isn't the pros.

USTA is no more legitimate in terms of ratings or anything else than other leagues I've played in. The only difference is USTA has a national computer, and our county leagues have a county-wide computer. If your main aspiration is to go to the USTA nationals, then this might make a difference to you. It doesn't mean anything to me.

Those who think USTA leagues are tougher than other Florida leagues have never played in them. It's possible that in some states, alternative leagues are more lax - but not here! I enjoyed playing USTA league but actually didn't prefer it for a lot of reasons.

This is an example of what I'm talking about.

It's simple: If you don't have a *USTA computer rating,* then you shouldn't toss around ratings numbers as though you do. It is misleading and incorrect.

So, for example, if you are playing in your county-wide system and do not have a *current USTA 4.0 computer rating*, then you are misleading people if you say you are "a 4.0." It's like telling folks that you have "200 points" and letting them believe these are points earned on the ATP.

Regarding the bold part . . . I think you told us that your county computer isn't updated regularly or well or something. I somehow doubt that you are familiar with the algorithm used by your local county and USTA, so I do not see how you can be sure there is no difference.

It is quite a stretch, then, to suggest that whatever rating you have in X local non-USTA county league equates to a genuine USTA rating.

Just be clear and honest: "I might be a 4.0, but I don't know" would be an appropriate way to characterize one's rating if one does not play USTA. Saying "I'm a 4.0" would be a fib.

[TennisDawg]

Tennis Anyone?*

*Anyone, providing they hold a computer generated NTRP rating, proven their rating through fierce competition at a USTA santioned tennis league or tournament, and also certified by a USTA certified teaching professional.

[dizzlmcwizzl]

Originally Posted by TennisDawg

Tennis Anyone?*

*Anyone, providing they hold a computer generated NTRP rating, proven their rating through fierce competition at a USTA santioned tennis league or tournament, and also certified by a USTA certified teaching professional.

Please, adult league play only .... tournies and mixed do not count.

[TeflonTom]

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

This is an example of what I'm talking about.

It's simple: If you don't have a *USTA computer rating,* then you shouldn't toss around ratings numbers as though you do. It is misleading and incorrect.

the reason ppl use self rates is cos nobody on this site would understand the context o a county rating. its a convenient way 2 convey ur approx level 2 other ppl. last time i checked, usta allowed self ratin did it not?

if u r unsure whether someone is self rated or computer rated, just damn well ask em. its not hard

what a bunch o old women u are

[TennisDawg]

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

Congratulations?

My point is that if you are telling folks that you are a 5.0 (or 4.0 or 4.5) based on what the coaches and directors of your league are telling you and not based on a USTA computer rating . . . well, that is not accurate.

You may in fact have skills that would allow you to be a computer-rated 5.0, but that doesn't mean you should claim to be a 5.0. 'Cause without that actual computer rating, you're just guessing.
.

Wow, who cares what if the the guy just wants to play tennis? No skin off my back. I play in two singles leagues..non USTA that is. One is called a 4.0 to 4.5 league the other is a 3.5 to 4.0 league. Based on what I know about the NTRP they're more like a 3.5 to 4.0 league and the other is more like 3.0 to 3.5. Some players have computer ratings and some,like me, don't. Having an NTRP rating is not something mystical. I don't know anybody that loses any sleep over it. I figure I'm a 3.5, but when I'm playing I don't think it.

[jservoss]

Originally Posted by TennisDawg

Wow, who cares what if the the guy just wants to play tennis? No skin off my back. I play in two singles leagues..non USTA that is. One is called a 4.0 to 4.5 league the other is a 3.5 to 4.0 league. Based on what I know about the NTRP they're more like a 3.5 to 4.0 league and the other is more like 3.0 to 3.5. Some players have computer ratings and some,like me, don't. Having an NTRP rating is not something mystical. I don't know anybody that loses any sleep over it. I figure I'm a 3.5, but when I'm playing I don't think it.

I know at my tennis club several times new members have come in stating an inflated ego, the tennis pro then passes along my info, and I waste 90 minutes annihilating the guy. It has happened enough times that I told the club pro he can no longer give members my email.

It has nothing to do with being mystical. It has to do with accurately describing your ability and not wasting other peoples time.

[TeflonTom]

Originally Posted by jservoss

I know at my tennis club several times new members have come in stating an inflated ego, the tennis pro then passes along my info, and I waste 90 minutes annihilating the guy. It has happened enough times that I told the club pro he can no longer give members my email.

It has nothing to do with being mystical. It has to do with accurately describing your ability and not wasting other peoples time.

dood, if u gonna play ppl on spec then this is the price u pay

in general, ppl r poor evaluators o their own abilities. i am sure there are plenty o things u do where others would describe ur estimation of ur talents as similarly incorrect

u either play ppl who self rate n accept u are gonna get some lopsided matches, or u only play computer rated ppl. but whining that ppl self rate unrealistically is like whining that the sky is blue

[tennis tom]

What happened to USTA rating sessions, with people holding clip-boards, who I think were called "verifiers" and handed you your rating on an index card after evaluating you? Did USTA do away with these sessions in the interest of cost saving or protecting people's egos?

[floridatennisdude]

Originally Posted by tennis tom

What happened to USTA rating sessions, with people holding clip-boards, who I think were called "verifiers" and handed you your rating on an index card after evaluating you? Did USTA do away with these sessions in the interest of cost saving or protecting people's egos?

It's been brought up that some districts had teams go on unprecedented runs to nationals (8 of 15 years or something) in the era of verifiers. Apparently, a captain with a friend doing verifying was much worse than a computer questionnaire.

[nhat8121]

The 4.5 pool is huge, and I've seen some 4.5s that just boggled my mind how they got there. To me, 4.5 is not that great. However, a 5.0, respect.

[TennisDawg]

Originally Posted by jservoss

I know at my tennis club several times new members have come in stating an inflated ego, the tennis pro then passes along my info, and I waste 90 minutes annihilating the guy. It has happened enough times that I told the club pro he can no longer give members my email.

It has nothing to do with being mystical. It has to do with accurately describing your ability and not wasting other peoples time.

Ain't wasting my time. Sometimes, I annihilliate a guy who claims to be 4.0 NTRP and has gone thru the laundry list to get himself rated. Sometimes, I get my butt handed to me by another guy who is NTRP rated and sometimes his not NTRP rated. It's not a waste of time the way I see it. You need to beat and play against all types of competition. I don't need a bunch of rules and guidance telling me that, I've been playing tennis long enough to know that. Now somebody in an earlier post is talking bout having having someone with a clipboard roving the courts..give me a break. Wow that's a lotta fun.

[jservoss]

Originally Posted by TennisDawg

Ain't wasting my time. Sometimes, I annihilliate a guy who claims to be 4.0 NTRP and has gone thru the laundry list to get himself rated. Sometimes, I get my butt handed to me by another guy who is NTRP rated and sometimes his not NTRP rated. It's not a waste of time the way I see it. You need to beat and play against all types of competition. I don't need a bunch of rules and guidance telling me that, I've been playing tennis long enough to know that. Now somebody in an earlier post is talking bout having having someone with a clipboard roving the courts..give me a break. Wow that's a lotta fun.

I have no problem playing with players weaker than me. I have a problem when people lie about their ability just to get on the court with me.

True story. I had a guy tell me he was a 5.5 player that has been "having some success" competing in futures and would like to practice against me. Naturally I take him up on this wonderful opportunity. We go out and I beat him 6-0, 6-0, 6-0. After playing he said we were a good matchup and that he just had a bad day, then asked if we should play the same time next week. Of course I told him to f*** off. When I got home I looked him up online, and he had definitely been signing up for a lot a futures; however, he forgot to mentioned he hasn't even won a game yet in the qualifying rounds.

Had the guy just been honest about his level of play I probably would have hit with him anyways, but I have no respect for players that pull this crap.

[TennisDawg]

Originally Posted by jservoss

I have no problem playing with players weaker than me. I have a problem when people lie about their ability just to get on the court with me.

True story. I had a guy tell me he was a 5.5 player that has been "having some success" competing in futures and would like to practice against me. Naturally I take him up on this wonderful opportunity. We go out and I beat him 6-0, 6-0, 6-0. After playing he said we were a good matchup and that he just had a bad day, then asked if we should play the same time next week. Of course I told him to f*** off. When I got home I looked him up online, and he had definitely been signing up for a lot a futures; however, he forgot to mentioned he hasn't even won a game yet in the qualifying rounds.

Had the guy just been honest about his level of play I probably would have hit with him anyways, but I have no respect for players that pull this crap.

Hey man, if you're that good competing in 5.5s, you are truly "wasting your time" talkin on this thread. Your best bet would be to get in good with a D1 Tennis coach and try and line up practice matches with the team.