NTRP Entry Questions

Urza187

New User
I wanted to enter a few tournaments this summer. More than likely the 4.0 singles division. (They do have 3.5 and a 4.0 division for adults). I was confused at how they do the whole ranking thing and stuff. So my questions are:

1. Do I have to register to be a 3.5 or a 4.0 online? Or can I just enter the tournament in whatever division I want?

2. I was worried that if I sign up for the 4.0, that i'm locked into that division forever. Can I play down? Lets say I get romped in the 4.0 division in my first tournament, can I enter into a 3.5 tournament the next month?

3. How about the other way around, can I sign up for a 3.5 tournament first, and then play a level up and enter a 4.0 tournament the next month?

4. What if I sign up for an NTRP 4.0 singles event….can I sign up in a 3.5 doubles event with a partner? My partner is not as good as I(and I’m probably not that good, I haven’t hit since August).

Thanks for anyone who can help!
 

nocab

Rookie
You can sign up for any ntrp level if you are not rated. You will only be rated at the end of the year based on your tournament results, or if you sign up for a league(then you have to self-rate). So yes you can play 4.0 in this tournament and play a different level in the next. As for playing 4.0 singles and 3.5 doubles, that is up to the tournament director. Usually this is not a problem, but if the different levels are played at multiple sites around town it might be hard to schedule.
 

jrod

Hall of Fame
Actually, I'm pretty sure that USTA sponsored tournaments do not allow you to play down (i.e. don't allow a 4.0 to play in a 3.5 event). If you are unsure as to your level, you are better off rating at the lower level as USTA does allow you to play up. This way you would still be eligible to play in both 3.5 and 4.0 USTA events.

Hopefully someone else more familiar with the USTA rules can chime in here...
 

goober

Legend
Actually, I'm pretty sure that USTA sponsored tournaments do not allow you to play down (i.e. don't allow a 4.0 to play in a 3.5 event). If you are unsure as to your level, you are better off rating at the lower level as USTA does allow you to play up. This way you would still be eligible to play in both 3.5 and 4.0 USTA events.

Hopefully someone else more familiar with the USTA rules can chime in here...

If you play tournaments exclusively you can play any level your first year until you get a rating at the end of the year. You do not have to self rate for a tournament. You just sign up for a level. The next tournament you can play any level you choose including lower levels than your first tournament. Once you get an official rating at the end of the year you will get a rating with a "T" designation and you won't be able to sign up for any level below your rating.

If you play leagues otoh you do have to self rate and you can get DQ'ed. Once you self rate you can not play below your level.
 

jrod

Hall of Fame
Thats interesting. What happens if someone has a USTA rating that is 2 or 3 years old, i.e. no USTA exposure over that period. Does the old rating still applied or do they(USTA) expire it after so many years and assume you are unrated?
 

Atown

Rookie
What happens if someone has a USTA rating that is 2 or 3 years old, i.e. no USTA exposure over that period. Does the old rating still applied or do they(USTA) expire it after so many years and assume you are unrated?

For USTA League play:

"Players who are less than 60 years old during the 2009 championship year will have their most current computer or start ratings on file in TennisLink. They must self-rate if their NTRP rating is older than 3 years."

"Players who will be 60 years or older during the 2009 championship year will have their most current computer or start rating on file in TennisLink. They must self-rate if their NTRP rating is older than 2 years."

http://www.usta.com/USTA/Global/Act...~/media/EAAC33CFBB124369AF09EF777854D397.ashx
 
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