So... roughly 2.5 months ago I started getting heavily back into tennis after a 15 year break (note: was not any sort of superstar as a kid.. 3.0 to 3.5). Serving came back quick, volleys somewhat quick, but I had to essentially relearn ground strokes for some reason. After focusing a decent amount of time/energy into improvement along with finding a racquet that fits my style (EXO3 red it so happens), I'm now improving pretty quickly. 2.5 months ago I was rated at a 2.0. After completing a session of classes I was bumped to 2.5 and signed up for a USTA tournament May 3. In the past 2 months I've improved to the point where I'm now a strong 3.0 or weak 3.5.
My dilemma is that the 3.0 bracket for whatever reason is completely empty in the May 3 tournament and I really want to play. It'll be my first USTA tournament and I'm leaning heavily towards leaving my 2.5 entry in and also giving 3.5 a whirl. I hope that I will win 2.5 solidly and maybe win a couple games at the 3.5 level.
I hear a lot of people curse sandbaggers and such on the forums, but.. looking for a general opinion as to whether this is an okay approach to take. It doesn't feel dishonest as the USTA approach seems to be to bump people up after they've proven that they are too strong for their level, but that might also be heavily skewed by the fact I'm pretty exciting about getting to play and don't want to be the one and only person in 3.0 (currently 3 in 2.5 and 6 in 3.5).
Thoughts/comments?
My dilemma is that the 3.0 bracket for whatever reason is completely empty in the May 3 tournament and I really want to play. It'll be my first USTA tournament and I'm leaning heavily towards leaving my 2.5 entry in and also giving 3.5 a whirl. I hope that I will win 2.5 solidly and maybe win a couple games at the 3.5 level.
I hear a lot of people curse sandbaggers and such on the forums, but.. looking for a general opinion as to whether this is an okay approach to take. It doesn't feel dishonest as the USTA approach seems to be to bump people up after they've proven that they are too strong for their level, but that might also be heavily skewed by the fact I'm pretty exciting about getting to play and don't want to be the one and only person in 3.0 (currently 3 in 2.5 and 6 in 3.5).
Thoughts/comments?