Mixed exclusive rating question

[leech]

My wife has played exclusively mixed doubles since joining the USTA two seasons ago as a 3.0 self rate. She was surprised to have gotten bumped up to 3.5M this week, which means that we can't play together in our 7.0 mixed league (I am 4.0C). If we can't play together, then she prefers to forego mixed and play in a ladies league.

Would her mixed exclusive rating of 3.5 apply to her ladies league? The Q&A below from the USTA website is confusing to me. She got asked to join a 3.0 ladies team; is there a way she can self rate as a 3.0 for Adult league play? Or does "Mixed exclusive is a minimum NTRP start level only" mean that she can't self-rate below 3.5 for Adult? If so, why even have mixed exclusive players self-rate in the first place?

13. Can I use my mixed exclusive rating to play in other divisions?
A mixed exclusive player must self-rate in order to join the Adult, Senior and
Super Senior divisions. Mixed exclusive is a minimum NTRP start level only. A
mixed exclusive rating is not supported by any NTRP calculation data and is
subject to NTRP grievance.

 

[NumbersGuy]

She'll have to self-rate as a 3.5, she can't self-rate any lower than her Mixed Exclusive rating. I think the USTA doesn't have as much confidence in the ME rating as an indicator of one's playing level, so the purpose of the self-rate is that she'll now be "eligible" for DQ should her Ladies' matches so warrant, in case the ME was indeed a poor indicator of her playing level.

 

[leech]

She'll have to self-rate as a 3.5, she can't self-rate any lower than her Mixed Exclusive rating. I think the USTA doesn't have as much confidence in the ME rating as an indicator of one's playing level, so the purpose of the self-rate is that she'll now be "eligible" for DQ should her Ladies' matches so warrant, in case the ME was indeed a poor indicator of her playing level.

Ah, thanks, that makes a bit of sense as to why they'd require Mixed only players to self-rate when playing Adult (or other) leagues.

 

[schmke]

It can be a bit confusing.

Her 3.5M rating does not carry over to her ladies league rating, she will start play in the ladies league as a self-rate (e.g. no rating), but the 3.5 does set the minimum level she can self-rate at without appealing.

I believe the idea is that the M rating gives a reasonable enough rating that a player shouldn't be able to self-rate at a lower level so as to avoid allowing players to sandbag and play at a level below their abilities. However, they know M ratings may not be the best indication of ability in a ladies league and so don't carry it over and instead have the player self-rate so a real ladies rating can be established more quickly.

By doing it this way, it precludes sandbagging in two ways. First, it doesn't let players tune up their game playing mixed and then go self-rate at too low a level. Second, it keeps players from using mixed to establish a low rating that protects them by forcing a self-rating that is still subject to 3 strike DQs.

Now, I don't know if TennisLink will actually preclude her from self-rating at 3.0 or not (it should be able to), but if it does, there are avenues to appeal and get approval to self rate her at 3.0.

 

[J_R_B]

As stated, she will have to self-rate at 3.5 then appeal to get to 3.0 to play for the ladies team, but this is kind of a catch-22. If the section grants the appeal and gives her a 3.0S rating, then she can also use that 3.0S rating to sign up as a 3.0 on a mixed team and you guys can play together again and there is no reason for her to play adult league. You only have one rating for all leagues. As soon as she gets an S rating (whether 3.5 or 4.0 or appealed down to 3.0), that rating now supercedes the M rating for ALL USTA teams.

 

[blakesq]

If you are a 4.0, why would you want to play in a 7.0 mixed? Play 8.0!

My wife has played exclusively mixed doubles since joining the USTA two seasons ago as a 3.0 self rate. She was surprised to have gotten bumped up to 3.5M this week, which means that we can't play together in our 7.0 mixed league (I am 4.0C). If we can't play together, then she prefers to forego mixed and play in a ladies league.

Would her mixed exclusive rating of 3.5 apply to her ladies league? The Q&A below from the USTA website is confusing to me. She got asked to join a 3.0 ladies team; is there a way she can self rate as a 3.0 for Adult league play? Or does "Mixed exclusive is a minimum NTRP start level only" mean that she can't self-rate below 3.5 for Adult? If so, why even have mixed exclusive players self-rate in the first place?

13. Can I use my mixed exclusive rating to play in other divisions?
A mixed exclusive player must self-rate in order to join the Adult, Senior and
Super Senior divisions. Mixed exclusive is a minimum NTRP start level only. A
mixed exclusive rating is not supported by any NTRP calculation data and is
subject to NTRP grievance.

 

[blakesq]

sorry, double post.

 

[schmke]

If you are a 4.0, why would you want to play in a 7.0 mixed? Play 8.0!

My wife was bumped up to 3.5 and we were in the same situation and we went this route playing 8.0 as a "7.5" team. We did ok too, going 2-1, so don't be afraid to try it, you might be more competitive than you think.

 

[leech]

My wife was bumped up to 3.5 and we were in the same situation and we went this route playing 8.0 as a "7.5" team. We did ok too, going 2-1, so don't be afraid to try it, you might be more competitive than you think.

I got bumped to 4.0 in 2013 and tried 8.0 mixed (as well as playing 7.0 mixed with my wife). I got crushed every match, which wasn't fun for anyone involved. (I suspect I'm on the lowest fringes of 4.0, and I don't think my wife is really 3.5).

 

[leech]

It can be a bit confusing.

Her 3.5M rating does not carry over to her ladies league rating, she will start play in the ladies league as a self-rate (e.g. no rating), but the 3.5 does set the minimum level she can self-rate at without appealing.

I believe the idea is that the M rating gives a reasonable enough rating that a player shouldn't be able to self-rate at a lower level so as to avoid allowing players to sandbag and play at a level below their abilities. However, they know M ratings may not be the best indication of ability in a ladies league and so don't carry it over and instead have the player self-rate so a real ladies rating can be established more quickly.

By doing it this way, it precludes sandbagging in two ways. First, it doesn't let players tune up their game playing mixed and then go self-rate at too low a level. Second, it keeps players from using mixed to establish a low rating that protects them by forcing a self-rating that is still subject to 3 strike DQs.

Now, I don't know if TennisLink will actually preclude her from self-rating at 3.0 or not (it should be able to), but if it does, there are avenues to appeal and get approval to self rate her at 3.0.

Thanks all for the tips. My wife was prompted to self-rate when she tried to register for her Ladies league, which she did as a 3.5. Then she immediately appealed; the Section will have a minimum of three weeks to get back to her (not having a deadline to get back to her is not comforting).

 

[leech]

If you are a 4.0 why would you want to play in a 7.0 mixed league? Play 8.0!

To play with my wife (and not get crushed). I played this past season in a 8.0 mixed league and got destroyed (with 4.0 partners). Wasn't fun. And I'm at a stage in my life where I don't expect to improve (age plus limited hours to play/practice). I just want to play some fun, competitive matches, which is what we had last year in 7.0 mixed.

 

[blakesq]

I hear you leech. but if that is what you want to do, get away from USTA, and try to find people you want to play with for fun.

To play with my wife (and not get crushed). I played this past season in a 8.0 mixed league and got destroyed (with 4.0 partners). Wasn't fun. And I'm at a stage in my life where I don't expect to improve (age plus limited hours to play/practice). I just want to play some fun, competitive matches, which is what we had last year in 7.0 mixed.

 

[Phunky_Phorehand]

Well, if that appeal is denied, you know what to do. Take your beatings on a 4.0 men's team so that and your wife can be happily reunited at 7.0 mixed in fall 2014.