I am barley in the 3.0 rating, I have a tourney this weekend and my first Opp. is also in a NM4.0D mens doubles. Now I got to thinking is this a combined or individual rating? I also looked on TLink and see he has a NTRP rating of 3.5 now I would not think he could play down but could play up. I get tired of loosing matches to ego headed players who have to play down to win. Should I protest this match and make him go to the 4.0 singles?
NTRP rating/Tourney question
- Thread starter DaveG
- Start date
goober
Legend
Hmm I am not sure how that is possible. When I register on the USTA website. I don't even have the option of lower level NTRP levels available. If the TD manually put him there, that's not right. Otherwise I would tell the TD his rating does not allow him to play at that level.
I think you can self-rate again after 2 or 3 years, so he is likely fine. Problem is he will probably wipe the floor with most of you guys anyways.
goober
Legend
Yah you can self rate again after that long. He may be older guy so maybe he figures he is not as good in singles anymore.
I sent the tourney director an E-mail last week explaining I was just 2.5 (almost a 3.0) and was worried about playing in the 3.0. I sent him another E-mail yesterday and he told me he put me with him because he is real slow... Don't know about that. Don't matter how slow you are if you can put the ball wherever you want it
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
^^^ That is BS, the draw should be random for non seeded players.
J
J
lostinamerica
Semi-Pro
Don't matter how slow you are if you can put the ball wherever you want it
I really do not know any 3.0/3.5 players who can put the ball wherever they want. Actually, I have met very few players who can consistently put the ball exactly where they want. Can they hit in a general direction and come up with some great shots? Certainly but able to place the ball exactly where you want (with a minimal margin of error) is pretty difficult.
goober
Legend
When I first started playing competitively instead of just hitting around with my small group of friends I had an attitude like yours. I use to whine about having to play a teaching pro or an ex college player even though I only had been playing tennis a couple years.
It is a defeatist attitude. Many of these players that you think are better than their level or playing down are very beatable. I found out that being a former college player or even teaching pro doesn't mean that much. I have beaten a lot of these types now and of course I have also received some serious beatdowns as well.
The problem is that you have lost the match before it has even started because you think you can't beat them. Go in with no expectations and enjoy the match.
That's my 2 bits.
You really shouldn't worry about winning anything when you are 2.5/3.0 level player. Really you should expect to play some competitive matches and some that are not so competitive. Every 2.5/3.0 player will get blown off the court sometimes when playing at-level matches. You can't expect to do well at any NTRP tournament unless you are able to win a few matches at the next level up. Thats just the way it works.
goober
Legend
Teaching pros have very varied levels. There are some that are 5.0+. But there are many really are 4.0 at best. They may spend all day on the court, but they are not really improving their own game. Alot of them are out of shape and don't actually play that many competitive matches and then show up for a tournament.
College players are the same. Sure they may have been 5.0 when they were 20 years old and playing all the time. But a lot of them take 10-15 years off and are getting back into the game. Consistency and physical fitness are usually their major weaknesses. Some of them that were D3 or even D2 were never at a high level to begin with (4-4.5). So the fact they played college doesn't automatically mean they were great players.
NTRP rating/Tourney question UPDATE
Well I get to the tourney and this guy that I was worried about had back surgery about 3 years ago. He was a 3.5 in 2002 but now he cannot move 3 feet right to left. He was good but nothing like he used to be I assume.
I won 6-2 6-3 then I went on to the championship game where I got killed. Not making excuses but I was sick as a dog Sunday 100.5 temp but I played anyway. This guy was more of a 3.5 kick serve was killer, you could not get anything passed him at the net, but anyway I am a 2.5 and placed second in a 3.0 so I am happy. And good, I went in there with the RIGHT attitude and it did make a difference!
Well I get to the tourney and this guy that I was worried about had back surgery about 3 years ago. He was a 3.5 in 2002 but now he cannot move 3 feet right to left. He was good but nothing like he used to be I assume.
I won 6-2 6-3 then I went on to the championship game where I got killed. Not making excuses but I was sick as a dog Sunday 100.5 temp but I played anyway. This guy was more of a 3.5 kick serve was killer, you could not get anything passed him at the net, but anyway I am a 2.5 and placed second in a 3.0 so I am happy. And good, I went in there with the RIGHT attitude and it did make a difference!
goober
Legend
Congratulations and good for you.
See this sandbagging 3.5 was really a immobile 2.5-3.0 player.I agree on 3.0 but disagree on 3.5.
Especially, if the 3.5 player is over 60! I swear, I have lost every match against an old biddy I have ever played!! :evil:
They are older but can still kick my 30 something butt because what they lack in movement they make up for in smarts and placement!! I even lost to a 70 year old guy with screws in both knees!!! :shock:
So, now...if I play a gray hair I am prepared for smart play with great placement, angles, and spin. Actually, turns out to that the best matches (in terms of learning and exposing my weaknesses) are against these players. Helps my game tremendously to see that much control and strategy......
Also, younger 3.5s on the bubble can pretty much place shots where they want as they are on the cusp of 4.0 and just waiting for the computer to bump them up.
Oh, Dave g...congrats!!!!
That's awesome to be a 2.5 and win your first match!!
I am new to tennis as well but lost my first 3.0 USTA match 6-0 6-1 to a player now ranked 2nd in the Region and with a winning record against 3.5 players. This player is also waiting to get bumped up.
I think they should create a novice 3.0 division. So, the playing field is level and once you win a certain amount you have to leave the novice divsion.
It's easy for people to say just play and don't worry about winning. However, I can play matches for free against people if all i wanted to do is play! If USTA says tennis is for all levels that means even beginners. So, we should have a level playing field in tournament play as well....
I would venture a novice 3.0 division would be huge if USTA did it!!
Best wishes!
That's awesome to be a 2.5 and win your first match!!
I am new to tennis as well but lost my first 3.0 USTA match 6-0 6-1 to a player now ranked 2nd in the Region and with a winning record against 3.5 players. This player is also waiting to get bumped up.
I think they should create a novice 3.0 division. So, the playing field is level and once you win a certain amount you have to leave the novice divsion.
It's easy for people to say just play and don't worry about winning. However, I can play matches for free against people if all i wanted to do is play! If USTA says tennis is for all levels that means even beginners. So, we should have a level playing field in tournament play as well....
I would venture a novice 3.0 division would be huge if USTA did it!!
Best wishes!
goober
Legend
If older 3.5 guys are doing this to you, it means you are not putting any pressure on them with your own shots. At this level all they are doing against you is A)waiting for you to make an error by B)giving you junk, throwing in a variety of shots (short, deep angled) until you make one.
Once you put pressure on them with your own shots, they become much less effective. If you play, just get the ball back into play- you are going to be in for a long day.
smoothtennis
Hall of Fame
I know this match played out aleady, but think about several things here:
1) 3.0 tennis - no matter how you slice or dice it, is still basically, beginning tennis. There are technical stroke production, footwork, and mental problems to a large degree. Unless you are physically handicapped or 70+, 3.0 should be a place to try to IMPROVE your game, not win big matches.
The only reason you were concerned about this guy playing down, is that you too, were concerned with winning more than anything else.
2) If you clearly establish your goals at 3.0 - which should be at a minimum better footwork, and more consistent stroke production - better players will demonstrate to you these deficiencies. You should want to play the stronger players for this reason.
3) If your desire is to improve by playing better players, there are only two options. Play up, or play right where you are, and hope for someone who is very strong at that level, or somebody may sandbag at your level. Either way, you should have a mechanism that allows you to identify skill deficiencies.
4) Most important - Don't waste a good opportunity. When you play the stonger player - take the time on court to process what you consider to be the skill gaps. Be able to clearly articulate what those specific gaps are, and then you can formulate a PLAN to address these gaps during future practice sessions. Consider it 'grade A' feedback.
LafayetteHitter
Hall of Fame
We have some guys here who haved played 3.0 league for 15 years. Not really fair for the newer guys I suppose. If I had been playing competitive matches for 10-15 years and was still a 3.0 I would switch to bingo.
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