Screwed over by the USTA rating system, PLEASE HELP!

[Chris tennis52]

Sorry if this a long post but the backstory is important to the story. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I am a 3.5 to 4.0 level player. I play on a DIII college tennis team, however I am not a starter and have played in just 4 meets my whole college tennis career (I'm currently a senior). Because I wasn't playing a ton on my college team and I wanted more competitive tennis, I decided to join a 7.0 mixed team at my local club last fall. I went to self rate and because I was on the college roster i was automatically made a 5.0 (despite my actual ability being 3.5-4.0), which meant I was ineligible to play on the 7.0 team. I had multiple phone conversations with my regional USTA office (Missouri Valley) and each time they told me that because I'm "still young and training" that they anticipate I'll get to that level (it's been over a year and I still couldn't compete with 4.5s let alone 5.0s). I also filed and appeal in which they moved me to 4.5 (still ineligible for 7.0). After this I created a new USTA account and re self rated saying I did not play college tennis. I got a 3.5 rating and played on the 7.0 team, a 3.5 men's team this past spring and a 7.0 mixed again this fall. Well last week someone filed a grievance against me saying I was rated too low because I'm in college. I provided a statement pointing out the major logical flaws of saying every DIII player is a 5.0 and that it was not supporting their mission ( "to promote and develop the growth of tennis") to over rate weaker players so they can't play at a level that is competitive for them. The USTA still ruled against me and when ratings came out yesterday I was up to a 5.0 without the ability to appeal. Not only does it make me ineligible for the 7.0 mixed and 3.5 men's teams, but there are no 9.0 mixed teams or 5.0 men's teams in my area. And even if there were i would get destroyed every time. It also takes a long time to get these rating down just by losing matches and I think it's rather unfair that I should have to pay money to play and lose just to get my rating down to where it should be in the first place. The main thing that's troubling me is that this means I will have no opportunity for any competitive tennis after I graduate because I won't be able to play any USTA leagues. So I am currently trying to think of any possible way that I can argue to get my rating down to at least a 4.0 so I can continue to play the game. Has anyone had a similar thing happen to them or any other suggestions? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Deanm85]

*grabs popcorn*

 

[Startzel]

What were your results at 7.0 and 3.5?

 

[Chris tennis52]

What were your results at 7.0 and 3.5?

7-2 in 7.0 and 4-1 at 3.5. Based on those results I'd totally understand being moved to 4.0. But to put me at 5.0 simply because I'm on a college roster doesn't make any sense to me, and takes away any opportunity I have to play competitively.

 

[Deleted member 293577]

delete

 

[schmke]

7-2 in 7.0 and 4-1 at 3.5. Based on those results I'd totally understand being moved to 4.0. But to put me at 5.0 simply because I'm on a college roster doesn't make any sense to me, and takes away any opportunity I have to play competitively.

The 5.0 was likely punishment for creating a second/false USTA account. Be thankful you weren't suspended from USTA completely (although it sounds like being a 5.0 is effectively that).

You went through the process as you should originally and they granted you an appeal down to 4.5. Whether or not that is/was the right level for you, the right thing to do was to find a 4.5 team, or an 8.0 Mixed team, and play a few matches and see. Now, the challenge may have been finding a team to let you get those matches in, but that doesn't warrant circumventing the rules and creating a fraudulent account.

There are always exceptions to the self-rate guidelines and you may be one of those, and the appeal process is in place for that and it sounds like that probably got you within 0.5 of the right level. The system isn't perfect, but creating second accounts in order to play (at least) 0.5 below the right level is not the solution.

 

[BeyondTheTape]

You want to play 7.0 that you created two accounts? sounds like a female is involved. Isn't that ban or suspension worthy?

 

[J_R_B]

You goofed. You should have accepted the 4.5 rating and played there, but you are now being punished for being a scammer. The only thing you can do now is play 5.0 or wait until you are 25 and re-rate yourself at 4.5.

 

[Chris tennis52]

The 5.0 was likely punishment for creating a second/false USTA account. Be thankful you weren't suspended from USTA completely (although it sounds like being a 5.0 is effectively that).

You went through the process as you should originally and they granted you an appeal down to 4.5. Whether or not that is/was the right level for you, the right thing to do was to find a 4.5 team, or an 8.0 Mixed team, and play a few matches and see. Now, the challenge may have been finding a team to let you get those matches in, but that doesn't warrant circumventing the rules and creating a fraudulent account.

There are always exceptions to the self-rate guidelines and you may be one of those, and the appeal process is in place for that and it sounds like that probably got you within 0.5 of the right level. The system isn't perfect, but creating second accounts in order to play (at least) 0.5 below the right level is not the solution.

There are no 4.5 teams in my area and I don't know anyone who plays 8.0 so no I likely wouldn't have found a team to get matches. And I think any system that requires you to pay money and/or travel to lose just to get to the right level is a completely broken system. I know a second account wasn't the right answer but how else could i go about it? I'm basically being suspended from playing the game i love just because I decided to experience college tennis. It makes absolutely no sense.

 

[Chris tennis52]

You want to play 7.0 that you created two accounts? sounds like a female is involved. Isn't that ban or suspension worthy?

Haha no female involved, just want to play at a level that is actually accurate of my skill level. And I don't know if it is but I'm effectively suspended because I can't play 5.0. It's a broken system.

 

[Chris tennis52]

You goofed. You should have accepted the 4.5 rating and played there, but you are now being punished for being a scammer. The only thing you can do now is play 5.0 or wait until you are 25 and re-rate yourself at 4.5.

I know a second account wasn't necessarily the right answer but how else was i supposed to play? It's extremely unfair to punish me for deciding to take the opportunity to experience college tennis. And requiring me to wait 4 years just to get down to a level that is still too high? None of this makes logical sense and the USTA doesn't see it or doesn't want to admit they're wrong.

 

[Startzel]

I know a second account wasn't necessarily the right answer but how else was i supposed to play? It's extremely unfair to punish me for deciding to take the opportunity to experience college tennis. And requiring me to wait 4 years just to get down to a level that is still too high? None of this makes logical sense and the USTA doesn't see it or doesn't want to admit they're wrong.

3.5 clearly wasn't the right level for you so i'm not sure why you're trying to argue they're wrong from preventing you from being a 3.5.

 

[JavierLW]

Sorry if this a long post but the backstory is important to the story. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I am a 3.5 to 4.0 level player. I play on a DIII college tennis team, however I am not a starter and have played in just 4 meets my whole college tennis career (I'm currently a senior). Because I wasn't playing a ton on my college team and I wanted more competitive tennis, I decided to join a 7.0 mixed team at my local club last fall. I went to self rate and because I was on the college roster i was automatically made a 5.0 (despite my actual ability being 3.5-4.0), which meant I was ineligible to play on the 7.0 team. I had multiple phone conversations with my regional USTA office (Missouri Valley) and each time they told me that because I'm "still young and training" that they anticipate I'll get to that level (it's been over a year and I still couldn't compete with 4.5s let alone 5.0s). I also filed and appeal in which they moved me to 4.5 (still ineligible for 7.0). After this I created a new USTA account and re self rated saying I did not play college tennis. I got a 3.5 rating and played on the 7.0 team, a 3.5 men's team this past spring and a 7.0 mixed again this fall. Well last week someone filed a grievance against me saying I was rated too low because I'm in college. I provided a statement pointing out the major logical flaws of saying every DIII player is a 5.0 and that it was not supporting their mission ( "to promote and develop the growth of tennis") to over rate weaker players so they can't play at a level that is competitive for them. The USTA still ruled against me and when ratings came out yesterday I was up to a 5.0 without the ability to appeal. Not only does it make me ineligible for the 7.0 mixed and 3.5 men's teams, but there are no 9.0 mixed teams or 5.0 men's teams in my area. And even if there were i would get destroyed every time. It also takes a long time to get these rating down just by losing matches and I think it's rather unfair that I should have to pay money to play and lose just to get my rating down to where it should be in the first place. The main thing that's troubling me is that this means I will have no opportunity for any competitive tennis after I graduate because I won't be able to play any USTA leagues. So I am currently trying to think of any possible way that I can argue to get my rating down to at least a 4.0 so I can continue to play the game. Has anyone had a similar thing happen to them or any other suggestions? Any help would be appreciated.

Why couldnt you play 4.0 Men or 8.0 Mixed? Even if you were barely a 4.0 player you would fit in just fine at 8.0 Mixed yet you dont mention that.

 

[Chris tennis52]

3.5 clearly wasn't the right level for you so i'm not sure why you're trying to argue they're wrong from preventing you from being a 3.5.

I'm not arguing that I should be a 3.5, I'm arguing that I shouldn't be a 5.0. I would be totally fine with moving to 4.0, but to put me at 5.0 on the same level as club pros in the area is ridiculous.

 

[Chris tennis52]

Why couldnt you play 4.0 Men or 8.0 Mixed? Even if you were barely a 4.0 player you would fit in just fine at 8.0 Mixed yet you dont mention that.

It's not like I was way too good to be playing at 3.5, I had some close matches and losses. I'd have no problem going to 4.0, but they put me at 5.0 and essentially ended any chance I have to play competitively after college.

 

[JavierLW]

It's not like I was way too good to be playing at 3.5, I had some close matches and losses. I'd have no problem going to 4.0, but they put me at 5.0 and essentially ended any chance I have to play competitively after college.

You should of just played 4.0 in the first place.

No college player should be at 3.5. Just to make the team you usually had to of been of a certain level at some point.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Chris tennis52]

You should of just played 4.0 in the first place.

No college player should be at 3.5. Just to make the team you usually had to of been of a certain level at some point.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Looking back, yes it probably would have been less obvious if I played 4.0, but I can't change that. Now I'm just looking to find a way to continue to play. I don't know what I'll do it i can't play tennis anymore.

And that's not entirely true at the DIII level. My coach doesn't cut any one. There are players on my team and other teams in the conference that would be considered 3.0s if you go by USTA general guidelines for rating. Some barely know how to hit a proper stroke and can't keep more than 2 balls in a row in play. Those players would be rated 5.0 too if they went to self rate. That's 2 full points above where they should be. When a rule places someone that far out of their actual skill level something needs to be changed.

 

[OrangePower]

Sorry if this a long post but the backstory is important to the story. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
...

I would be somewhat sympathetic since I know someone who was in a similar situation. But you lose major points by creating a second account to try get around the system. So now there may be nothing to be done.

Anyway: My buddy was in a similar situation, maybe 8 years ago now. Probably low 4.0 level at the time, and just graduated after having been a bench warmer on a D3 team. Like you initially, he was able to get a 4.5 rating but no lower. What he did: played 4.5, did poorly, got bumped down to 4.0 at the end of the year. His game actually improved though over the course of that year so then once at 4.0 he did ok and then after a while pretty well. Spent 3 years at 4.0 and then got bumped back up to 4.5. He has now been a 4.5 for a few years and has an average record.

Your best bet is to apologize profusely to USTA for creating a 2nd account, and hope they take pity and give you a 4.5 rating.

I agree it's not completely fair to treat all D3 players the same, but you are really an outlier. If they were to just take people at their word regarding their true level and just let D3 players self rate at 3.5 or 4.0 then you'd have people abusing the system even more than they already do.

 

[Chris tennis52]

I would be somewhat sympathetic since I know someone who was in a similar situation. But you lose major points by creating a second account to try get around the system. So now there may be nothing to be done.

Anyway: My buddy was in a similar situation, maybe 8 years ago now. Probably low 4.0 level at the time, and just graduated after having been a bench warmer on a D3 team. Like you initially, he was able to get a 4.5 rating but no lower. What he did: played 4.5, did poorly, got bumped down to 4.0 at the end of the year. His game actually improved though over the course of that year so then once at 4.0 he did ok and then after a while pretty well. Spent 3 years at 4.0 and then got bumped back up to 4.5. He has now been a 4.5 for a few years and has an average record.

Your best bet is to apologize profusely to USTA for creating a 2nd account, and hope they take pity and give you a 4.5 rating.

I agree it's not completely fair to treat all D3 players the same, but you are really an outlier. If they were to just take people at their word regarding their true level and just let D3 players self rate at 3.5 or 4.0 then you'd have people abusing the system even more than they already do.

Ok so clearly I'm not the only one this happens to. I know the second account shouldn't have been made but I don't see why I should have to pay to play and lose. I get they don't want to under rate the actual 5.0s, but to be honest there are a lot of people in my conference who would not be considered 5.0s. I could try apologizing or to back to using my first account which is at 4.5, but no matter what I don't see how this is fair. I've already expressed my views to the USTA in my statement in response to the grievance and they denied it so not sure if writing a letter would do any good.

 

[OrangePower]

Ok so clearly I'm not the only one this happens to. I know the second account shouldn't have been made but I don't see why I should have to pay to play and lose. I get they don't want to under rate the actual 5.0s, but to be honest there are a lot of people in my conference who would not be considered 5.0s. I could try apologizing or to back to using my first account which is at 4.5, but no matter what I don't see how this is fair. I've already expressed my views to the USTA in my statement in response to the grievance and they denied it so not sure if writing a letter would do any good.

You're not the only one and I'm not saying it's fair, but the reality is that it's better than the alternative (of just letting any D3 player appeal down to 4.0 or lower based on their own self-assessment). A few people such as you are going to be treated unfairly but it protects the vast majority of players from the shenanigans that would otherwise happen.

Play a season at 4.5 on the original account if you can, and see what happens. You might just surprise yourself and do better than you think. Worst case scenario you will get bumped down to 4.0 for next year while still having improved and gained experience.

 

[J_R_B]

I know a second account wasn't necessarily the right answer but how else was i supposed to play? It's extremely unfair to punish me for deciding to take the opportunity to experience college tennis. And requiring me to wait 4 years just to get down to a level that is still too high? None of this makes logical sense and the USTA doesn't see it or doesn't want to admit they're wrong.

You had an argument until you decided to cheat the system. Now you're at their mercy. Sorry. You're asking this question too late.

 

[5sets]

You had an argument until you decided to cheat the system. Now you're at their mercy. Sorry. You're asking this question too late.

Ha. Cheaters get no sympathy. Did you think you could slide that by the Usta and not get called out on it. Playing 4.0 or 4.5 would have been okay for a season. D3 or not, it's still collegiate sports and you must have some athletic ability. 3.5? C'mon Man!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G928A using Tapatalk

 

[Startzel]

I'm not arguing that I should be a 3.5, I'm arguing that I shouldn't be a 5.0. I would be totally fine with moving to 4.0, but to put me at 5.0 on the same level as club pros in the area is ridiculous.

You wouldn’t be a 5.0 had you done it the right way. You would probably be w 4.0 right now.

 

[sphinx780]

How about finding an in house league at a club that can allow you to play at a fair level without needing a USTA sanctioned league?

Or..talk to local club pros and the people you met on your teams to see if you can meet other players.

Treat every match you play as competitive. You don't need the USTA to play tennis nor to enjoy it.

At the end of the day, this is a rec league. It only counts as much as a bowling league or a dart league or bingo if that's your thing.

You tried to work within the league rules, then tried to work around the rules. You've burned that bridge for the time being but it doesn't mean you have to stop playing tennis altogether.

 

[Tiafoe]

There was a current D3 player at 3.5 nationals last year. He was easily a 4.5 level player and destroyed everyone he played. If the USTA actually enforced anything, he never should have been playing 3.5.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

You wouldn’t be a 5.0 had you done it the right way. You would probably be w 4.0 right now.

For maybe the 3rd time in history, I agree with you.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Ok so clearly I'm not the only one this happens to. I know the second account shouldn't have been made but I don't see why I should have to pay to play and lose. I get they don't want to under rate the actual 5.0s, but to be honest there are a lot of people in my conference who would not be considered 5.0s. I could try apologizing or to back to using my first account which is at 4.5, but no matter what I don't see how this is fair. I've already expressed my views to the USTA in my statement in response to the grievance and they denied it so not sure if writing a letter would do any good.

You asked for feedback and you got it: you blew it. I'm not saying the system is fair or perfect but you made the decision and now you have to live with it. Further explaining the illogic of the USTA will probably not gain you many supporters.

At this point, it's time to eat some humble pie and write that letter [not an email; an actual letter] of apology and hope for the best. If they refuse, you either pay the $ and put in the time to get rated down or you simply play non-USTA matches. Join a local club and you'll meet enough people. Maybe start a campaign to get the USTA to change how they do things.

 

[Cindysphinx]

Cheaters never prosper?

 

[gmatheis]

People would have more sympathy for you if you had not lied on the self rate.

While you may feel that 4.5 is too high for you (and it may be) it does not excuse breaking the rules.

What makes it worse is that when you created the second account you rated at 3.5 instead of 4.0. At 4.0 it sounds like you would have won a few but would have lost more than you won and the likelihood of grievance would have been much less. Now you are suffering the consequences of your actions for being greedy and rating at 3.5.

If you really want to play USTA tennis you can appeal again and ask for mercy and be happy if they let you drop to 4.5

 

[Rattler]

In the Texas Section, if you played College Tennis (even if you just made the team...if you were/are on a roster) you are automatically a 5.0...which I know is a sparce play at best for most the the country. You can only be moved down by results and wait for the new rankings.

Can you tell play non-sanctioned events and leagues locally?

 

[Startzel]

You should of just played 4.0 in the first place.

No college player should be at 3.5. Just to make the team you usually had to of been of a certain level at some point.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

D3 can be an odd spectrum.

We had a D3 girl who actually started there at my club that self rated a 3.5 incorrectly after a four year break for med school. But she was so bad she actually got bumped down to 3.0 by the computer.

Turns out she just went to a small Christian that just needed bodies to have a team.

There was a current D3 player at 3.5 nationals last year. He was easily a 4.5 level player and destroyed everyone he played. If the USTA actually enforced anything, he never should have been playing 3.5.

I'm really surprised no one in his local area filed a grievance against him. Surely they would have bumped him had a grievance been filed.

 

[Moveforwardalways]

College players are legit 3.5s? Now I've heard it all.

 

[J_R_B]

College players are legit 3.5s? Now I've heard it all.

Again, "college" isn't a level. 99% of varsity college players are well above 3.5 (which is why 5.0 is the guideline), but there are exceptions.

There was a college team around here in a low level D3 conference who wanted to play 4.0. They all rated 5.0 and appealed to the sectional coordinator and she granted the whole team an appeal to 4.0. They were terrible. They were winless in their first year in the league and half the team was bumped down to 3.5. The only actual 4.0 players were the two coaches and the #1 singles player. So, it does happen sometimes.

 

[RogueFLIP]

Had a similar situation to two teammates a few years back. The local college here has a D3 team which anyone can walk onto. So while they were on the team roster technically they never really played official matches as they weren't good enough.

So when they joined my USTA team they appealed down to 3.0 & 3.5 respectively. Which truthfully they were that and their USTA record reflected that. But still had people file grievances against them stating that they were ranked too low.

What got the grievances dismissed however was a letter from their tennis coach stating his opinion on why their rankings were truthful. LOL this is even after they've been given a C rating, people were still filing grievances (bye bye $50!) . Now after a few years they have been bumped to 3.5 & 4.0 respectively.

That's probably the course of action you should have taken (getting your coach to vouch for you) rather than the actions you took. Perhaps you could still do that if you really want to play USTA.

But really the majority of recreational players fall into the 3.0-4.0 range. So shouldn't be that difficult to find quality opponents other than the USTA leagues.

Good luck.

 

[Cindysphinx]

Many years ago when I was captaining 3.5, I met a lady who wanted to start playing USTA now that her kids were in school. Her problem was she had played at U of Maryland, which I believe is D1.

Trouble is, that was two kids and 75 pounds ago, at least. I hit with her, and she was definitely not stronger than the rest of us. The computer tried to make her 4.5. She and I both wrote to the league, and they knocked her down to 4.0 but they wouldn't go to 3.5. She got on a 4.0 team, got smoked in two matches or something, and that was that.

 

[OnTheLine]

Yup, player on my team wanted to self-rate as a 3.5. On that questionnaire, she answered that she had played college. Automatic 4.0.
She is 58, had played 1 year of community college tennis on the club team (no varsity) and hadn't touched a racquet in over 25 years. She likely didn't answer that question correctly.
I had a conversation with the LLC, she stopped by and watched her hit at a clinic ... then put in the appeal to the board as a 3.5.
Now, computer agrees 3.5C

Bottom line, there are a lot of ways to work the USTA Up Front and Honestly and they will often work with you, especially the local offices.

 

[Moveforwardalways]

D1 tennis must be different today than it used to be. It is impossible to imagine anyone playing D1 tennis in the past 10-20 years ever being a legit 3.5 or 4.0. Maybe back in the 1980s it just wasn't that competitive.

 

[tennis tom]

...I met a lady who wanted to start playing USTA now that her kids were in school. Her problem was she had played at U of Maryland, which I believe is D1.

...Trouble is, that was two kids and 75 pounds ago, at least. I hit with her, and she was definitely not stronger than the rest of us.

If she hasn't played in decades, she'll be very rusty and out of shape. But, in a few weeks of hitting her game will come back--it's like riding a bike, the first block you may be wobbly, but you don't forget. After a season of playing she may go from 3.5 to 4.5 depending on how good she was in college.

 

[g4driver]

I know a second account wasn't necessarily the right answer but how else was i supposed to play?

It's extremely unfair to punish me for deciding to take the opportunity to experience college tennis. And requiring me to wait 4 years just to get down to a level that is still too high? None of this makes logical sense and the USTA doesn't see it or doesn't want to admit they're wrong.

Uh no, the USTA was exactly right to punish you. You lied. You need to accept some personal responsibility. While you may not be a 4.5, you got the appeal down to 4.5.

Rather than accept that decision, you lied saying you didn't play college tennis as you created a second USTA # and you got effectively banned until you can get your rating down to 4.5. Good luck with that since there is no way to get a rating down without playing 5.0 matches and since you don't have any 5.0 leagues around, you pretty don't have much choice other than:

Legally change your name, and move to some place where nobody knows you. [emoji41]

Sorry you screwed this up when you created a second USTA account. You got punched for trying to deceive the USTA when you didn't like their ruling. Hopefully you will soon forget about USTA league 7.0 tennis and move on with your life and get this take away: Don't lie!

Actions have consequences. The USTA could have banned you for one year but what they did instead is pretty much ban you for much longer.

 

[NumbersGuy]

Play a couple of tournaments, hard though it may be to find a 5.0 draw. You may feel you shouldn't have to pay money, just like I feel I should be six feet tall, but suck it up, pay the "fine", and get on with your tennis. And it is absolutely untrue that if you can't play USTA League, you have to give up tennis. There's plenty of other tennis around. It's simply not possible for the USTA to go out and vet everyone who feels overrated, let alone to take everyone at their word.

 

[ChaelAZ]

I would be somewhat sympathetic since I know someone who was in a similar situation. But you lose major points by creating a second account to try get around the system. So now there may be nothing to be done.

I have a few players I have known since they came through juniors and high school, and were recruited this year for college. I have played with them since they were juniors, through high school, and now even in college. Went from them never winning, to now they always win pretty handily. But overall they are more 4.5 level than top players on the college team. When I hit with the top guys it is a different world really, so I understand your feeling that 4.5 rating and feeling screwed having to rate 5.0 or up. But yeah...second account...you're lucky to stile allowed in leagues.

Give it time. Play the 5.0. Get smoked. Apologize and use your losing record to demonstrate an appropriate level.

Even the worst college players I have played against weren't below 4.5 though, so that 3.5 BS is very suspect.

 

[AtomicForehand]

Cheaters never prosper?

(I guess you haven't been following politics lately.)

 

[LocNetMonster]

... but how else was i supposed to play?

My question is why was it so important that you play USTA tennis? Surely you know 5 or 6 guys that you could have formed your own league and play a round robin schedule. It would have been cheaper and less of a headache. If you want to play competitive matches form a ladder league in your area.

 

[Moveforwardalways]

Even the worst college players I have played against weren't below 4.5 though, so that 3.5 BS is very suspect.

This is my experience as well

 

[Max G.]

D1 tennis must be different today than it used to be. It is impossible to imagine anyone playing D1 tennis in the past 10-20 years ever being a legit 3.5 or 4.0. Maybe back in the 1980s it just wasn't that competitive.

D1 applies to a whole school though, not necessarily their tennis team. Looking at wikipedia (which doesn't seem to have anything more recent than 2015 about this), in 2014-2015 there were 258 division 1 tennis teams. In that year, there were 345 total Division 1 schools. According to http://www.scholarshipstats.com/tennis.htm , in 2017 there were 256 tennis teams out of 319 division 1 schools, pretty similar. So about a quarter of D1 schools must not even *have* a varsity tennis team.

Is that any different than it used to be?

A school can be D1 because they really care about their football and basketball. Doesn't mean their tennis team is any good.

 

[Mongolmike]

Listen... it's simple. Private message Starzel and he can guide you through the sandbagging process.

He can correctly identify sandbaggers 100% of the time in their first sentence of posting. He knows all the tricks and tips and shenanigans for people trying to get their ratings down.

Send him a PM, ask nicely and soon you will be dominating at 3.0 at Nationals.

 

[kevrol]

OP should never had played as a 3.5 to begin with. Glad the USTA punished him for trying to cheat. I do believe that 5.0 was not the correct level for the OP but clearly 3.5 isn't the right place for him either.

 

[norcal]

According to other posters here, USTA is not very tech savvy. So just get one of your computer science buddies at college to hack into their database and rate you at 3.5.

Then tank all your 3.5 matches and get bumped down to 3.0.

If you get caught just say you have a multiple personality disorder and this particular personality never played tennis before.

 

[JavierLW]

D1 applies to a whole school though, not necessarily their tennis team. Looking at wikipedia (which doesn't seem to have anything more recent than 2015 about this), in 2014-2015 there were 258 division 1 tennis teams. In that year, there were 345 total Division 1 schools. According to http://www.scholarshipstats.com/tennis.htm , in 2017 there were 256 tennis teams out of 319 division 1 schools, pretty similar. So about a quarter of D1 schools must not even *have* a varsity tennis team.

Is that any different than it used to be?

A school can be D1 because they really care about their football and basketball. Doesn't mean their tennis team is any good.

Right but a school is D1, D2, D3, based on their enrollment. It's just taken for granted and it's a reasonable assumption that if you have a Tennis Team that only accepts X number of players, that only the very best will make it. And the bigger the school which means the bigger sample size to select from, the better those elite players that were chosen are going to be.

It's never going to be exactly accurate, and I admit that I know some DIII tennis players that could play 4.0 and some even are near 3.5.

But this guy could of played 4.0 and he choose to get greedy and move all the way down to 3.5. If you are going to cheat, it never pays to be greedy on top of it!

They have to have some guidelines somewhere. It may not be fair to every single person but you have all the people who have cheated or lied or gamed the system to thank for that. (and this guy did lie)

Also the reason why some colleges do not have tennis teams is because of Title 9. They have to spend the same amount of money on Men's programs as Women's programs, and because they spend so much money on Men's Football and Men's Basketball, there sometimes is not enough money left for the other sports that do not bring in as much money. Sometimes becoming D1 makes that worse. That's what happened at my University, the Tennis team was D1 for only a year until they had to disband it because they had to spend way more on D1 Football and D1 Basketball.

But you could be willing to bet if they did have a Tennis program, the players would not be anywhere near 3.5 or even 4.0 in any D1 program. In a lot of cases if you look at these schools, they may have Club tennis instead and they have some of the better Club tennis teams around. (If you Self-Rate, it cares about Club Tennis as well unless you are a member of the Four Lakes Athletic Club in Wisconsin in which case they will let you cheat)

 

[Morch Us]

Disclaimer: I am not supporting any of your old behavior, or have nothing against USTA players. Just trying to give some light...

Why is USTA so important to you? Your best bet at this point is forget USTA and open your eyes and look around. There are tons of good 4.0 players in public courts, some of them not even heard of USTA. Even if some of them know USTA, they would call the USTA tennis players crazy, paying that much annual fee and league fees, just to get a chance to play. You need to get out and put some effort to start hitting with them. But the connections would expand really fast.

Also if USTA is too important to you, then you wont mind paying tons of money just to get your rating down.

I know the second account shouldn't have been made but I don't see why I should have to pay to play and lose.