How do you determine what your NTRP rating is?

[Sean-Topspin]

I've played tennis off and on over the years, usually resulting in binge playing.

Well, this month I'm joining a club for the first time and will be playing in a mens league as well as tourneys.

My question is about rating myself so that I don't sandbag or play someone much better than me, lol.

1st serve - 30% but good kick serve, flat serve and slice options, usually landing on the line and in my experience virtually never gets returned. (I'm sure this will change a bit with some guys in the club).

2nd serve- 50% I either double fault or catch my opponent offguard by going for a kick serve, slice or taking speed off a normal serve and using top spin.

Slices: Very accurate whether picking off lines or popping it just over the net. Good understanding of depth and touch on the court.

Top spin returns forehand= Can handle at pace (often better than slow balls) and can pick off the lines... Though this can be inconsistent if I get too impatient with myself, lol.

Can pretty much consistently go after winners at moderate-fast speed with good directional control.

Volleys: Very good, smashing or touching just over the net... backhand a bit weaker, but still good.

This would all be easy to figure out with regards to rankings, except that as pointed out my service game drops my ranking because of lack of consistency.. Though my serve has virtually never been returned by any friends that I play. Consistently inconsistent but those 30% that it does work, automatic points.

My second serve probably needs more improvement because I have to fight off my instinct to just go for it often. Maybe this is a good thing for the future as I get better, more consistent.

According to NTRP rankings, with my service game, I'm somewhere around a 3.0, but with most other parts of my game I could play against a 5.0 player by what I'm reading.

I don't wanna enter a new club and go against a 2.5 player who ends up thinking I'm sandbagging, even though I'll likely give him lots of pts from unforced errors on serve. And I also don't want to play a player who's too good because unlike me he's got those serves consistent and will commit less errors as a result.

I'll get more consistent as I'll be playing all summer and the service game will improve, but what should I do with regards to entering tourneys and matches with my club?

 

[Sean-Topspin]

This isn't just about winning either. Improving as a player is ultimately more important, so maybe I should be going against players that have more serving consistency because everywhere else they'll challenge me, even though probably lose the match because of my inconsistent service game.

 

[t135]

Based on how you describe your game and the words you used, I'd suggest 3.5. The fact that you can control direction and use spin at all puts you over 3.0.

I am a former USTA verifier among other things.

 

[gmatheis]

It's hard enough to rate someone by seeing video ... even more useless to try and rate on a description.

Ratings take into account more than how nicely you hit your forehand or how big your serve is, they measure how successful you are at winning matches. Some people win those matches with powerful shots, athleticism, crafty technique etc.

Your best bet is to ask the club pro if he could spare 5 minutes to help rate you.

Or you could video yourself playing a few games (not just hitting)

 

[goober]

Club ratings vary by club- in general are 0.5 to 1.0 below USTA ratings. I know some 4.0C USTA league players that play in the 5.0 league at their clubs for example. Since club ratings are all over the place:

Go to your club ask a teaching pro to rate you.

If that doesn't work ask to play some in your club with a known rating and see how you do.

If you can't do that safest bet is to start with 3.5 and adjust. It is not like you can get DQ'ed at your club

 

[sureshs]

According to NTRP rankings, with my service game, I'm somewhere around a 3.0, but with most other parts of my game I could play against a 5.0 player by what I'm reading.

It is very rare to see such imbalance.

 

[gameboy]

According to NTRP rankings, with my service game, I'm somewhere around a 3.0, but with most other parts of my game I could play against a 5.0 player by what I'm reading.

If you go by what is written around here, everybody can serve 100 mph and can beat women pros...

First, there is no such thing as getting an NTRP rating just based on description of strokes. NTRP really means one thing, are you competitive with others with the same rating. And you really cannot find that out until you actually play with others.

I think we can safely eliminate 4.5 or even 4.0 since you have not played leagues or high school teams. Just play rec tennis, it is pretty hard to get to that level.

So, we are probably looking at 3.5 or 3.0. Which one you select means absolutely nothing as when you join the club you will get chances to play against players of both levels and you will soon figure out where you are most competitive. If people ask, just say you don't know and your are probably around 3.0 or 3.5.

Have fun with your new club and play. Don't worry about stuff like ratings unless you plan to join the club's USTA team.

 

[texacali]

I have a similar tennis history to yours, finally took the NTRP rating questionnaire and ended up 3.5 (when I was hoping for 3.0). I have joined a 3.5 team (after struggling to find one) and there are 3.0 players on the team also. I thought I was an out of practice 4.0 but I play at the same level as my 3.5 teammates, probably because my weakness is not being able to hit a floater or worse, mid-court floater (dump it or over-hit). Like you, serve is a strength, not because of power, but placement and spin. I have yet to find any consistency in any other part of my game.

I am glad I am starting at 3.5, not below or above where I should be at this point. I gauged myself originally by playing in a 3.5 tourney and seeing how I did...not too well, but competitive.

 

[J_R_B]

I've played tennis off and on over the years, usually resulting in binge playing.

Well, this month I'm joining a club for the first time and will be playing in a mens league as well as tourneys.

My question is about rating myself so that I don't sandbag or play someone much better than me, lol.

1st serve - 30% but good kick serve, flat serve and slice options, usually landing on the line and in my experience virtually never gets returned. (I'm sure this will change a bit with some guys in the club).

2nd serve- 50% I either double fault or catch my opponent offguard by going for a kick serve, slice or taking speed off a normal serve and using top spin.

Slices: Very accurate whether picking off lines or popping it just over the net. Good understanding of depth and touch on the court.

Top spin returns forehand= Can handle at pace (often better than slow balls) and can pick off the lines... Though this can be inconsistent if I get too impatient with myself, lol.

Can pretty much consistently go after winners at moderate-fast speed with good directional control.

Volleys: Very good, smashing or touching just over the net... backhand a bit weaker, but still good.

This would all be easy to figure out with regards to rankings, except that as pointed out my service game drops my ranking because of lack of consistency.. Though my serve has virtually never been returned by any friends that I play. Consistently inconsistent but those 30% that it does work, automatic points.

My second serve probably needs more improvement because I have to fight off my instinct to just go for it often. Maybe this is a good thing for the future as I get better, more consistent.

According to NTRP rankings, with my service game, I'm somewhere around a 3.0, but with most other parts of my game I could play against a 5.0 player by what I'm reading.

I don't wanna enter a new club and go against a 2.5 player who ends up thinking I'm sandbagging, even though I'll likely give him lots of pts from unforced errors on serve. And I also don't want to play a player who's too good because unlike me he's got those serves consistent and will commit less errors as a result.

I'll get more consistent as I'll be playing all summer and the service game will improve, but what should I do with regards to entering tourneys and matches with my club?

It is very rare to see such imbalance.

This. You're not a 5.0. That's like D1 college level tennis. I'd guess 3.0-3.5, but I'd have to see a video to tell better. Also, that is for USTA NTRP. As Goober said, club ratings often vary (mostly upward). I am 4.0B to the USTA, but I play in the "5.5" league at my club (and there are no legitimate USTA 5.5 players who even play at the club that I know of...).

 

[Sean-Topspin]

It is very rare to see such imbalance.

I'd assume that my inconsistency with serving has quite a bit to do with the lack of practice by comparison to spending countless hours stroking the ball against a practice wall or rallying. Pickup things pretty quick and youtube can provide countless hours of private lessons.

I did go out yesterday and just practiced serving for about an hour after watching some youtube vids and noticed quite an improvement.
Felt calmer on the service line, took my time more than in the past and the fluid movement felt much better. Didn't really practice serving much before this and I have to stop myself from rushing due to a personality that is rather intense at times, lol. Worst enemy on the service line. Athletic ability gives you the odd fluky serve, but consistency comes with practice. Probably why my backhand is arguably stronger than my forehand, due to practicing a lot of strokes against my brother and needing to take it easy to keep the rally's going for his sake.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I kinda figured I was somewhere around 3-3.5, so it's good to know. Can't wait to play some club players. Really stoked!

I'll try to make a video sometime this week.

 

[dcdoorknob]

3.0 or 3.5, tops.

You are def. not 4.0 if you actually double fault 35% of the time (you're hitting 2nd serves 70% of the time, and missing half of those). Also, just to note, by your own math, you're giving away the point 35% of the time with doubles, and only blasting aces 30% of the time.... seems like you could use a change in mindset there.

You also mention not doing so well on slower balls (creating your own pace), which is not uncommon at 3.0 and 3.5 levels, but tends to be less of an issue for most 4.0 players in my experience.

Overall, you sound really really erratic, which I'm guessing would put your singles level somewhere around 3.0. Alot of the 3.0s won't hit nearly as hard as you, but if you don't even deal with off-pace stuff very well, you'll likely make enough UEs to lose to some 3.0s. If you are as good at net as you claim, maybe competitive in 3.5 in doubles, although double-faulting 35% of the time, I'm still not sure.

Obviously this is all raw speculation that could be well off, but my best guess based on reading your post.

 

[Sean-Topspin]

3.0 or 3.5, tops.

You are def. not 4.0 if you actually double fault 35% of the time (you're hitting 2nd serves 70% of the time, and missing half of those). Also, just to note, by your own math, you're giving away the point 35% of the time with doubles, and only blasting aces 30% of the time.... seems like you could use a change in mindset there.

You also mention not doing so well on slower balls (creating your own pace), which is not uncommon at 3.0 and 3.5 levels, but tends to be less of an issue for most 4.0 players in my experience.

Overall, you sound really really erratic, which I'm guessing would put your singles level somewhere around 3.0. Alot of the 3.0s won't hit nearly as hard as you, but if you don't even deal with off-pace stuff very well, you'll likely make enough UEs to lose to some 3.0s. If you are as good at net as you claim, maybe competitive in 3.5 in doubles, although double-faulting 35% of the time, I'm still not sure.

Obviously this is all raw speculation that could be well off, but my best guess based on reading your post.

Yeah, my game is what you'd call erratic, but my guess is that will stabilize with practice.

I should clarify that I said it's easier for me to hit top spin balls when my opponent hits with some pace. Not that it becomes difficult when the balls are hit at slow pace my way. Every player I've played against has hit the ball slower than me during a rally for point or otherwise. Actually if anything the reason why the slower ones cause more errors is because these are the shots I automatically go for winners on and it's usually hitting near the back line or the side line just beyond the T if the angle is right.

And yeah, it's exactly how you say with regards to my service game. I give away a tonne of points or have in the past due to lack of consistency. But this was when I played once a month couple times a summer, lol.
Now I'll be playing at least a couple matches a week. That bloody serve will come!!!

Thank-you for your honesty. One of the reasons I came here to post this question is because I went on youtube and some of the guys/girls on there were saying they were 4.5/5 players and I saw myself playing better than them. I'm confident, but my ego isn't big enough to think I'm that good cause that would make me a 5.5-6.5 in comparison to them. I suppose that's why some guys at the club level have a higher rating than NTRP would actually be.

 

[Ducker]

yea your def around 3.0 or 3.5. A 5.0 player will probably hit his 2nd serve harder than your first and only double fault on occassion or when under alot of pressure.

 

[dcdoorknob]

Just to note, it is fairly common, especially for those that aren't used to it, to underrate the level of play of players when just looking at a video. Have you ever recorded and seen yourself playing tennis? If not, I'd bet what you'd see wouldn't come very close at all to matching what you think you look like while playing.

But the serve thing is pretty huge. I remember playing a USTA mixed doubles match last summer against a young guy with a 3.0 rating, who had groundstrokes and movement, etc, that could legitimately let him compete at 4.0. However, he, like you, had a rather severe case of doublefaultitis. I'm a 3.5 and I would struggle somewhat to keep up with him once the rallies got going in the points (he couldn't just blast through me but I did feel like I was fighting uphill when exchanging groundstrokes with him). The serve problem totally tipped the balance of the match though, as he just never could hold serve when throwing in 2-3 DFs a game, and my partner and I ended up taking the match in straight sets. In retrospect I think the 3.0 rating was ultimately accurate, so long as those serve issues persisted for him. If you can't hold serve it is awfully hard to win.

 

[tennis tom]

I am a former USTA verifier among other things.

What ever happened to "verifiers"? Did the USTA cut them out to save money to buy more champagne? I remember many moons ago being sent to a verifiying session by a team captain to get a rating. He told me not to do anything flashy or I would get rated too high to be on his team. I followed his instruction and just kept the ball in play. It was funny, in the parking lot afterwards, one of the guys on my court, who had been hitting "big" shots during the session, was hopping mad because he got a rating half a point higher then he wanted and was now not eligible for the team he wanted to be on. All in all, the verifiers did an accurate job of getting you on the team you wanted to be on within a half point.

What are those "among other things" you speak of T135? This could be interesting, spill the beans, inquiring minds want to know.

 

[josofo]

if your in decent shape and have good coordination with the strokes that you describe i would reccomen starting at 3.5.


they might be better winners than you are initially but it seems like you have the skill to adjust in a year or 2.

 

[gameboy]

Just to note, it is fairly common, especially for those that aren't used to it, to underrate the level of play of players when just looking at a video. Have you ever recorded and seen yourself playing tennis? If not, I'd bet what you'd see wouldn't come very close at all to matching what you think you look like while playing.

You should video yourself playing. You will be shocked at how slow/bad you look.

 

[Lambo]

I too have the same issue. Great topspin game forehand and backhand. Slicing when I want although tend to float a few slices. Serving okay. Tonnes of stamina and extremely fast on the court. Regularly beat players who have WAY better strokes than mine due to some strategy and using my mind. But how to rate myself? Did play D-3 and D2 tennis at college in the states though. Wonder what my rating would be?

 

[travlerajm]

Self-rate at 3.0. Then join league teams at both 3.0 and 3.5.

Then play a few matches at 3.0 league. If you win easily, your teammates will love you, and your 3.5 captain might have enough confidence to put you in the 3.5 line-up.

If you start in 3.5 and end up losing, by sel-rating at 3.0 beforehand, it will give you the option to move back down to 3.0. If you self-rate at 3.5, you won't have that option.

 

[Sean-Topspin]

You should video yourself playing. You will be shocked at how slow/bad you look.

I'm going to video myself playing a set, hopefully today. I went out to play a bit last night with a friend and instead of going for it every second serve I resigned myself to basically just pronating my wrist and making sure the serve landed inbounds with some spin. I still was able to win most of the points this way. Also found that after practicing serving the last few days, my first serve already had a higher success rate, closer to 50% by the end of the match yesterday. Those good serves were always as a result of tossing the ball right and pronating the wrist. Just have to get my toss consistent because my timing is pretty good, that's why when they work, they're fast or have good spin/kick on them. Or so I guess.

But yeah, the service game is huge in tennis because I watch the pros a lot and when someone holds their service games during the match, they almost always win. The positive outlook for me would be that most of the points I've won in the past were returning serve, so if you can win at least 50% of return games and hold most of your service games, you'll be able to compete.

I do understand that the video can reveal things and truth is it would be good to see myself and study my body movements...The dreaded video points out mistakes in us all..lol. however one little tweak could mean a world of difference, like the pronation and ball toss raising me from 30% to closer to 50% by the end of the 'match'.

If I'm playing a 3-3.5 club level player, whats the protocol on tossing the ball up more than once during a serve? I know the pros do it 'at times'. Suppose it depends on the person you're playing.

Do players have troubles dealing with backspin shots that land on one side of the body and pop out two feet on the other side? Or would I be better off trying to go for more topspin/pace on my backhand? What's harder for a decent/good player to hit?

I'll try to post the video, it speaks the ultimate truth, lol. Plus, maybe you guys can give me some tips on where I'm going wrong beyond my own study.

Will post as soon as I can. May 5th is the club's opening day!

 

[Sean-Topspin]

According to Tennis Canada there are four areas where a tennis rating comes from.

Strokes, return of serve, serves and net play, so I've used this to describe what I believe my play describes, along with Tennis Canada's rating system guidelines. I've decided it would be easier to analyze myself giving a rating according to each category below.

Groundstrokes (forehand and backhand) = 4.5

Can use a variety of spins. Beginning to develop a dominant shot or good steadiness. Erratic when attempting a quality shot in two of the following situations: receiving fast balls, wide balls, and in passing shot situations.


Return of Serve: = 4.0

Difficulty in returning spin serves and very fast serves. On moderately paced serves, can construct the point through hitting a good shot or exploiting an opponent's weakness. In doubles, can vary returns effectively on moderately-paced serves.

I estimated a bit low here as spin serves don't bother me and haven't had to face any serves with the pace mine has. This will change over the next couple months and I'll be able to test myself beyond moderate pace serves.


Net Play: = 4.5

When coming to the net after serving, consistently able to put the first volley in play but without pace or depth; however, inconsistent when trying to volley powerful or angled returns. Close to the net, can finish a point using various options including drop volley, angle volley, punch volley.

The one thing is that I can control the depth of the first volley, including an accurate drop shot from between the T and the baseline. Instead of waiting for the ball to drop on the line, I take a step or two forward to volley the ball back. So I can do drop volleys, punch or angle from farther away from the net.


Service: = 2.5

Attempting a full service motion on the first serve. First serve in inconsistent (less than 50%). Uses an incomplete motion to ensure a steady second serve.

Lol, I didn't overestimate on any of these descriptions, but I'm laughing because my service game is bloody pathetic and barely better than a beginner according to Tennis Canada and since serving is responsible for 50% or more pts in the match, it's a big deal. Can't get the serve in, other skills can't be put to use.

So I'll enlist myself as a 3.0 player and this will probably enable me to improve my groundstrokes, net play and return serve even more without pressure. Kinda like playing my younger brother. Not too mention giving you a better mentality to beating pushers in the future.

I'll probably get outserved on a consistent basis, but at least I won't feel the added pressure that will only cause me to 'go for it' that much more.

Unfortunately I had to do it this way because my video camera battery charger has gone A-wall and no $$$ to replace it now.

 

[dizzlmcwizzl]

I would suggest you be careful when reading the self rating descriptions. While looking up as a 3.5 at the 4.0 ratings I often thought to myself "I have those attributes ... I really must be a 4.0". When in fact now that I am at the top of 4.0 and play 4.5 adult ... when I look at those ratings now I say "what was I thinking".

The fact of the matter is that those descriptions are very hard to gauge your actual rating. If you have a 4.5 FH but only a 3.5 BH, any decent 4.0 will make you hit backhands. If you your serve is awful any decent player will just punish you.

If you are determined to use those descriptions then I suggest you take you worst category and use that as your starting point because everything that you think is better than that ... is probably not as good as you think it is. However a USTA rating can only be decided through competitive matches against rated players.

 

[Z-Man]

Self-rate at 3.0. Then join league teams at both 3.0 and 3.5.

Then play a few matches at 3.0 league. If you win easily, your teammates will love you, and your 3.5 captain might have enough confidence to put you in the 3.5 line-up.

If you start in 3.5 and end up losing, by sel-rating at 3.0 beforehand, it will give you the option to move back down to 3.0. If you self-rate at 3.5, you won't have that option.

This is what you need to do.

 

[josofo]

According to Tennis Canada there are four areas where a tennis rating comes from.

Strokes, return of serve, serves and net play, so I've used this to describe what I believe my play describes, along with Tennis Canada's rating system guidelines. I've decided it would be easier to analyze myself giving a rating according to each category below.

Groundstrokes (forehand and backhand) = 4.5

Can use a variety of spins. Beginning to develop a dominant shot or good steadiness. Erratic when attempting a quality shot in two of the following situations: receiving fast balls, wide balls, and in passing shot situations.


Return of Serve: = 4.0

Difficulty in returning spin serves and very fast serves. On moderately paced serves, can construct the point through hitting a good shot or exploiting an opponent's weakness. In doubles, can vary returns effectively on moderately-paced serves.

I estimated a bit low here as spin serves don't bother me and haven't had to face any serves with the pace mine has. This will change over the next couple months and I'll be able to test myself beyond moderate pace serves.


Net Play: = 4.5

When coming to the net after serving, consistently able to put the first volley in play but without pace or depth; however, inconsistent when trying to volley powerful or angled returns. Close to the net, can finish a point using various options including drop volley, angle volley, punch volley.

The one thing is that I can control the depth of the first volley, including an accurate drop shot from between the T and the baseline. Instead of waiting for the ball to drop on the line, I take a step or two forward to volley the ball back. So I can do drop volleys, punch or angle from farther away from the net.


Service: = 2.5

Attempting a full service motion on the first serve. First serve in inconsistent (less than 50%). Uses an incomplete motion to ensure a steady second serve.

Lol, I didn't overestimate on any of these descriptions, but I'm laughing because my service game is bloody pathetic and barely better than a beginner according to Tennis Canada and since serving is responsible for 50% or more pts in the match, it's a big deal. Can't get the serve in, other skills can't be put to use.

So I'll enlist myself as a 3.0 player and this will probably enable me to improve my groundstrokes, net play and return serve even more without pressure. Kinda like playing my younger brother. Not too mention giving you a better mentality to beating pushers in the future.

I'll probably get outserved on a consistent basis, but at least I won't feel the added pressure that will only cause me to 'go for it' that much more.

Unfortunately I had to do it this way because my video camera battery charger has gone A-wall and no $$$ to replace it now.

if u really feel like you can hit 4.5 groundstrokes consistently and have 4.5 net play. u should probally start atleast at 4.0.

 

[aurelius]

Self-rate at 3.0. Then join league teams at both 3.0 and 3.5.

Then play a few matches at 3.0 league. If you win easily, your teammates will love you, and your 3.5 captain might have enough confidence to put you in the 3.5 line-up.

If you start in 3.5 and end up losing, by sel-rating at 3.0 beforehand, it will give you the option to move back down to 3.0. If you self-rate at 3.5, you won't have that option.

That ends up being horrible advice if you're actually competitive at 3.5 (competitive doesn't even mean winning, just losing 3 &3, 3 &4, etc). If you self-rate at 3.0 and play 3.0 and 3.5, after half the season (3-4 matches or so) if you're competitive in your 3.5 games, you will get an in-season bump to 3.5 and all the 3.0 games you played in with retroactively be disqualified with your team losing that game. Your 3.0 teammates and captain will no longer love you. However all the 3.5 games will stand. I saw this happen to nearly every self-rate 3.0 who played 3.0 and 3.5 last year. This advice could only work if you self-rated 3.0 and played 3.5 only, were so horrible that at the end of the year, it left you at 3.0 and you could play 3.0 again next year.

 

[aurelius]

Depends on who you beat. If you beat people by only pushing then you're clearly a half-point worse than them. So beating a 3.5 by pushing means you're a 3.0. Beating a 4.0 by pushing means you're a 3.5. This works in reverse too - if you lose to a pusher you're at least 0.5 NTRP better than them really.

The other way to figure it out is play the highest NTRP ranked person who will play you. Smash the ball like crazy, look like a real tennis player, lose 6-0 6-0 but that doesn't matter. You played like a man and hung with that 4.5 so you must be around 4.5 (maybe just at the low end).

 

[aurelius]

And as long as we're on NTRP rankings by video, here's one of friend out hitting but she's not sure where she should start? Any suggestions?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVWXKziczM8

 

[jk175d]

Do players have troubles dealing with backspin shots that land on one side of the body and pop out two feet on the other side? Or would I be better off trying to go for more topspin/pace on my backhand? What's harder for a decent/good player to hit?

The answer to the above question is every opponent has different strengths and weaknesses, in playing matches you learn to identify where you can hurt an opponent and what to avoid so he can't hurt you. Some players eat up pace and hate dealing with variety of spins, others its the opposite.

sounds like you have almost zero match experience from the questions you're asking. That alone would put you no higher than the 3.0-3.5 range imo. The easiest way to answer your question is to play some actual matches with guys who have a rating and see where you stand.

Anyway, is there a tennis ladder at the club, or in the city you live? That's a great way to get random matches with a variety of rated players.

 

[J_R_B]

And as long as we're on NTRP rankings by video, here's one of friend out hitting but she's not sure where she should start? Any suggestions?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVWXKziczM8

Can't tell. Must watch again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again...

 

[J_R_B]

Self-rate at 3.0. Then join league teams at both 3.0 and 3.5.

Then play a few matches at 3.0 league. If you win easily, your teammates will love you, and your 3.5 captain might have enough confidence to put you in the 3.5 line-up.

If you start in 3.5 and end up losing, by sel-rating at 3.0 beforehand, it will give you the option to move back down to 3.0. If you self-rate at 3.5, you won't have that option.

If you self-rate and join two levels, you'll end up DQ'd at the lower level. Self-rate at 3.0, join a 3.5 team, and play 1 match. If you are completely overmatched and blown off the court, then register with a 3.0 team and play 3.0 for the year. If you are competitive in the 3.5 match, then stay at the 3.5 level.

 

[J_R_B]

I too have the same issue. Great topspin game forehand and backhand. Slicing when I want although tend to float a few slices. Serving okay. Tonnes of stamina and extremely fast on the court. Regularly beat players who have WAY better strokes than mine due to some strategy and using my mind. But how to rate myself? Did play D-3 and D2 tennis at college in the states though. Wonder what my rating would be?

How old are you? How long ago did you play college tennis? What position in the lineup and how good was the team? Have you been playing regularly since? I'd guess that you're probably 4.0 or 4.5 depending on the answers, but you could be as low as 3.5 if all of the answers are negative or as high as 5.0 if the answers are positive.

 

[jk175d]

If you self-rate and join two levels, you'll end up DQ'd at the lower level. Self-rate at 3.0, join a 3.5 team, and play 1 match. If you are completely overmatched and blown off the court, then register with a 3.0 team and play 3.0 for the year. If you are competitive in the 3.5 match, then stay at the 3.5 level.

or... play some matches against rated players BEFORE joining a team/league. You're a member of a tennis club right? What good is that if you can't get some matches?

 

[gmatheis]

I too have the same issue. Great topspin game forehand and backhand. Slicing when I want although tend to float a few slices. Serving okay. Tonnes of stamina and extremely fast on the court. Regularly beat players who have WAY better strokes than mine due to some strategy and using my mind. But how to rate myself? Did play D-3 and D2 tennis at college in the states though. Wonder what my rating would be?

I believe the rules state that if you played college tennis you are minimum 4.5

(edit: if you are over 36 I believe you can rate as 4.0 if it was not a highly ranked school)

 

[OrangePower]

or... play some matches against rated players BEFORE joining a team/league. You're a member of a tennis club right? What good is that if you can't get some matches?

This. Find a USTA rated 3.5 player, and play a practice match. Let us know the score and then we'll be able to tell you how to rate

 

[g4driver]

This. Find a USTA rated 3.5 player, and play a practice match. Let us know the score and then we'll be able to tell you how to rate

Find a few 3.5s, and none of them Self-Rated. IMO USTA 3.5 Men seem to have the largest range of skills in USTA tennis. 3.5s range from very weak to those that beat 4.0s on a regular basis.

IMO, playing one 3.5 isn't going to tell you anything if you pick a very weak one, or a very strong one. Find the strongest 3.5 you can find, an average 3.5, and a weak 3.5 and play all of them. 3.5s are like weeds. The are everywhere. lol

 

[g4driver]

OrangePower has the right idea. Play other 3.5s to get a baseline of your skills.

OrangePower, Sorry if I came off the wrong way in my reply. You are always the voice of reason.

v/r

 

[OrangePower]

No prob, I especially like the "3.5s are like weeds" comment :lol:

 

[Lambo]

How old are you? How long ago did you play college tennis? What position in the lineup and how good was the team? Have you been playing regularly since? I'd guess that you're probably 4.0 or 4.5 depending on the answers, but you could be as low as 3.5 if all of the answers are negative or as high as 5.0 if the answers are positive.

I played college tennis 10 years ago. But surprisingly am a better player now than I was then. I guess the mind matures as you grow older although the body goes the other way. Have kept myself fit .Maybe I dont hit it as hard as before but the stamina and speed are the same. Guess I player number 4 for the team and sometimes number 2 but mostly 4. Have been playing regularly for 15 years

 

[Lambo]

I believe the rules state that if you played college tennis you are minimum 4.5

(edit: if you are over 36 I believe you can rate as 4.0 if it was not a highly ranked school)

yes but I played D-3 tennis in so cal. Dunno if I would rate myself as 4.0

 

[Sean-Topspin]

And as long as we're on NTRP rankings by video, here's one of friend out hitting but she's not sure where she should start? Any suggestions?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVWXKziczM8

She can use my Babolat to test for scores anyday

 

[Sean-Topspin]

Played a match against my bro and dad today and my service game was up to over 50% accuracy on first serves and only double faulted twice in the set. Drastic improvement with a weeks practice. Taking my time and having an accurate ball toss seems to be the common denominator with regards to improvement.

My club doesn't officially start until three weeks from now and it begins with a mini tourney/BBQ on opening day. Maybe I can gather some feedback after that, depending on who I happen to play.

Figure I'll estimate myself to be a competitive 3.5 player because even if I'm exaggerating my skill level at all, my fitness can compensate, especially considering what I hear is there's a lot of pushers within clubs. Just for the record, I'm not a pusher

Anyhow, I'm sure I'll be excited after my first 'club match' and will let everyone know if my talk was cheap Hopefully over the next few weeks my service game will be 70%. Will have to work on ball tosses till I can't move my arm anymore, lol.

 

[Sean-Topspin]

Have to say I'm impressed with the quality of people seeming to be on this forum. I've posted other similar questions in other sports forums and been absolutely roasted, lol.

Tennis players must have class I like it!

 

[t135]

Couple things to keep in mind:

- you don't want to sandbag but, you can always play up above your USTA rating but not below. So rating at 3.0 wouldn't be a disaster in that you can always play up if you find 3.0 too low. But can't play down if rated 3.5.

- as long as you are still very mobile and athletic it doesn't take much to move from 3.0 to 3.5. It can be as simple as increasing fitness level to get more balls in play. Or just playing more tennis which will improve consistency in most people.

These are generalizations but are safe generalizations. As long as you are athletic improvement can come quickly. And assuming your technique isn't a complete mess.

 

[J_R_B]

I played college tennis 10 years ago. But surprisingly am a better player now than I was then. I guess the mind matures as you grow older although the body goes the other way. Have kept myself fit .Maybe I dont hit it as hard as before but the stamina and speed are the same. Guess I player number 4 for the team and sometimes number 2 but mostly 4. Have been playing regularly for 15 years

I would guess that you would be 4.5 based on this.

 

[tennis tom]

And as long as we're on NTRP rankings by video, here's one of friend out hitting but she's not sure where she should start? Any suggestions?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVWXKziczM8

The rating system only goes to 7 but I would give her a 10. She does the Nadal panty-pick flawlessly.

 

[Lambo]

I would guess that you would be 4.5 based on this.

thanks for the info but let me reiterate it was D-3 tennis in Southern cali. But I am always working on my game and trying.

 

[J_R_B]

thanks for the info but let me reiterate it was D-3 tennis in Southern cali. But I am always working on my game and trying.

D-3 is generally 4.5-5.0 tennis (4.0 at the very bottom of the division).

 

[AtomicForehand]

I would suggest you be careful when reading the self rating descriptions. While looking up as a 3.5 at the 4.0 ratings I often thought to myself "I have those attributes ... I really must be a 4.0". When in fact now that I am at the top of 4.0 and play 4.5 adult ... when I look at those ratings now I say "what was I thinking".

Agreed. According to the self-rate descriptions, I should be a 4.5. In reality I am competitive at 3.5.

 

[Lambo]

D-3 is generally 4.5-5.0 tennis (4.0 at the very bottom of the division).

Thanks. Cleared up a few things in my mind. My college was middle of the table so maybe you are right.

 

[mark1]

to many peoples eyes, a true 5.0 player looks almost like a professional tennis player in person.

if you cant consistently sustain long, heavy hitting rallies for 10 shots or so in match play, you arent above a 4.0 player.

5.0 is a very good tennis player, and there arent too many of them around.

id say start at 3.5, and go from there. there are a large spectrum of 3.5 players, and by playing that level you will learn consistency and how to win.