Help a USTA league noob

[Caswell]

I'll admit this USTA league stuff is confusing to me. As a junior, it was simple - play regional tournaments, beat people, get a regional ranking.

I've been playing for 2-3 months after taking nine years off from the game. The club I joined asked me to play in their 3.0 league. I'll admit my vanity kicked in a bit (3.0!), but while some of my strokes are back my backhand is still stuck in solid 3.0 territory. I agreed to play, thinking that if I really am better than a 3.0, then it'll show very quickly.

I understand the dynamic ratings, but where do I start from? Being a new player to USTA leagues, what will my computer rating be, or do I have to play a few matches before I get one? If (big if) I do win all of my matches in 3.0, what's a ballpark estimate of how long it will take for my computer ranking to kick me out of 3.0?

I'm actually excited about playing a lower league, because I know what's wrong with my backhand, and once it's fixed playing in 3.0 will be good exercise in forcing my game on someone, something I never really mastered as a junior.

Thanks in advance!

 

[marcl65]

I'm in a similar situation only I'm being forced to play up (I'm a 3.0 in a 3.5 flight) because we don't have enough 3.0's for a team. Anyway, if you're going to sign up, you'll have to register with the USTA first. At that point you'll be asked a series of questions that will allow you to "self rank". When you look at the roster of players online, you'll see that some are computer ranked, others are self ranked. Once you start playing matches your ranking will be adjusted up or down based on your performance.

Check out the following link for info on the NTRP ranking system:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=93227

 

[Caswell]

Thanks, the link you provided definately helped. It sounds as if I self-rate when I register and then my computer ranking would kick in after my first match. I'm not sure I'd classify my high school experience as "successful" ( ) so I suppose I'm safe with a self rating of 3.0.

You also reminded me to renew my USTA membership. I was surprised that they still had my info from 1996.

 

[marcl65]

I'm not sure I'd classify my high school experience as "successful" ( ) so I suppose I'm safe with a self rating of 3.0.

A word of warning - once you self rate you can’t go back in and change it online. You have to appeal it to the league coordinator or some other administrator.