New to adult USTA…Got Some Questions

[LiamMiguel]

I just got out of my freshman year of college and I am wanting to play tournaments whether it’s UTR or USTA. I recently moved to North Carolina so I guess I’ll be playing in the Southern region primarily. I am also a self-rated 5.0. I’ve only played junior tournaments so I am not sure how adult tournaments work.

Questions:

• As a 5.0, are there only limited tournaments I can play? I don’t think I see that many that go over 4.5. I do know there are open tournaments though.
• Are there any leagues I can join just for the summer?
• Am I able to get into an L5 Men’s Open even without a ranking? Or would I have to start from L6 and L7 to get my ranking higher?

I’m sure I have more questions that I haven’t thought of yet. Thanks for the all the help!

 

[esgee48]

Contact the league coordinator in your section and ask them all the questions you want. Use the USTA website.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I just got out of my freshman year of college and I am wanting to play tournaments whether it’s UTR or USTA. I recently moved to North Carolina so I guess I’ll be playing in the Southern region primarily. I am also a self-rated 5.0. I’ve only played junior tournaments so I am not sure how adult tournaments work.

Questions:

• As a 5.0, are there only limited tournaments I can play? I don’t think I see that many that go over 4.5. I do know there are open tournaments though.
• Are there any leagues I can join just for the summer?
• Am I able to get into an L5 Men’s Open even without a ranking? Or would I have to start from L6 and L7 to get my ranking higher?

I’m sure I have more questions that I haven’t thought of yet. Thanks for the all the help!

Even in highly-populated areas, there is often a dearth of 5.0+, or, at least those who join the USTA. You'll probably have more competitors in the typical tournament playing Open.

There certainly are summer leagues.

Also, there is MXDs [Mixed Doubles] where they combine the NTRP of the man and woman. So you could play 9.0 as a 5.0 with a 4.0 partner. Or 10.0 with a 5.0 partner.

MXDs is whole different universe according to some [a lot more unwritten etiquette rules].

Another thing: USTA is way lower-key than a typical college match where fans are screaming and players fist pump and yell "c'mon" every other point [not sure if that's the environment you're accustomed to]. Then again, I play 4.5, not Open, so maybe it's different there.

 

[schmke]

Regarding USTA play, what @esgee48 said, contact your League Coordinator. This page should let you know who to contact based on where you are in North Carolina: https://www.nctennis.com/_files/ugd/eea794_e3379e9730804e739f3a856b78850b10.pdf

But USTA does offer League play at the 5.0 level in some areas. For example the Raleigh area has a men's 5.0 flight with five teams in it, Durham has three teams in theirs, Cary has two teams. But these leagues are wrapping up for 2022 so perhaps not an option for you until next year.

There may be USTA or UTR tournaments, check https://playtennis.usta.com/tournaments or the UTR site to find tournaments in your area, and UTR may also offer flex leagues where you are. USTA also has Combo leagues and I believe those are coming up in your area so that may be worth looking into.

 

[LiamMiguel]

Another thing: USTA is way lower-key than a typical college match where fans are screaming and players fist pump and yell "c'mon" every other point [not sure if that's the environment you're accustomed to].

Yeah, I learned the fine line between team tennis and USTA in high school haha. Much different environment. Both are still fun to me though.

 

[LiamMiguel]

Regarding USTA play, what @esgee48 said, contact your League Coordinator. This page should let you know who to contact based on where you are in North Carolina: https://www.nctennis.com/_files/ugd/eea794_e3379e9730804e739f3a856b78850b10.pdf

But USTA does offer League play at the 5.0 level in some areas. For example the Raleigh area has a men's 5.0 flight with five teams in it, Durham has three teams in theirs, Cary has two teams. But these leagues are wrapping up for 2022 so perhaps not an option for you until next year.

There may be USTA or UTR tournaments, check https://playtennis.usta.com/tournaments or the UTR site to find tournaments in your area, and UTR may also offer flex leagues where you are. USTA also has Combo leagues and I believe those are coming up in your area so that may be worth looking into.

Yeah, I contacted the two coordinators closest to me (I moved to Mooresville) which were the Lake Norman and Metro people. Hopefully, I can find somewhere to play competitively this summer. Moving’s tough. :/

 

[5sets]

Play Open level tournaments. Generally those are all 4.5+ players anyways, ntrp tournaments are basically null after 4.5. These tournaments are as they suggest, open to anyone, so you shouldn’t need any prequalifications unless it says it’s selected entry or limited draw to Covid or something. Play the smaller ones first and see how they go unless you have a fat wallet.

 

[J_R_B]

Play Open level tournaments. Generally those are all 4.5+ players anyways, ntrp tournaments are basically null after 4.5. These tournaments are as they suggest, open to anyone, so you shouldn’t need any prequalifications unless it says it’s selected entry or limited draw to Covid or something. Play the smaller ones first and see how they go unless you have a fat wallet.

Second. As a 5.0, you'll do fine in open tournaments. There aren't THAT many active players who are 5.5 or higher who are playing USTA tournaments. The bulk of open tournament draws should be 4.5 and 5.0.