Just joined USTA, have a ton of questions

[Ballinbob]

I just joined USTA and have a crapload of questions.

I'm a 15 year old male from the USA and I want to start playing torunaments. Apparently, NTRP ratings don't apply to juniors, so I was wondering how is your ranking determined at these levels? Also, is it recommended that I play at a low leveled tournament for my first tournament? If there's no NTRP, will I be playing against 16 year old prodigies or something or will I be playing my own level? If I win a tournament, will that go towards my ranking and if not, how does that work?

Thanks guys

[10isDad]

My suggestion is to just go play a couple tournaments. It'll all fall into place. Yeah, if there are novice events available, you might want to start there.

It's all luck of the draw. You might draw some hugely talented kid or you might draw somebody more inexperienced than yourself.

Not to go too much into rankings, but basically at this stage every win you have goes toward establishing a ranking.

Play, have fun and don't worry about rankings yet.

[Ballinbob]

Originally Posted by 10isDad

My suggestion is to just go play a couple tournaments. It'll all fall into place. Yeah, if there are novice events available, you might want to start there.

It's all luck of the draw. You might draw some hugely talented kid or you might draw somebody more inexperienced than yourself.

Not to go too much into rankings, but basically at this stage every win you have goes toward establishing a ranking.

Play, have fun and don't worry about rankings yet.

Thanks. I think I'm just going to go with my gut and play a novice torunament like you said. I'm a pretty good player, but I want to get a feel for USTA because I know its nowhere close to highschool tennis

[JakeHCoker]

Oh thats cool. I'm also 15 but I joined USTA last year. I'm joining a season team this year with a group in Jonesboro AR. Hope to play you.
Note: I also have no idea my rating.

[Ballinbob]

Originally Posted by JakeHCoker

Oh thats cool. I'm also 15 but I joined USTA last year. I'm joining a season team this year with a group in Jonesboro AR. Hope to play you.
Note: I also have no idea my rating.

Awseome. I would love to play you, but I live in Colorado.

[game set match 46 TIMES!!]

yeah play some small tournaments to just get the feel of them.also be careful of cheaters they may chat when your brand new. good luck and try to make friends it helps alot.

[Ballinbob]

Originally Posted by game set match 46 TIMES!!

yeah play some small tournaments to just get the feel of them.also be careful of cheaters they may chat when your brand new. good luck and try to make friends it helps alot.

What do you mean by cheat? Like sandbaggers?