What's my American rating?

JohnThomas1

Professional
Hi guys, my country (Australia) introduced a nation wide push to uniform ratings a year ago or more. I am keen to know where i fall on the US system. I will provide the chart below. I am an ITN4 ranking and play into the upper level of that rating. I would win i guess 70% of matches against fellow 4's. Also, where would YOU fall in our ratings?!?!?! :)

ITN 1 This player has had intensive training for national tournament competition at the junior and senior levels and has extensive professional tournament experience. Holds or is capable of holding an ATP / WTA ranking and major source of income

is through tournament prize money.



ITN 2 This player has developed power and / or consistency as a major weapon. Can vary strategies and styles of play in a competitive situation. Is usually a nationally ranked player.



ITN 3 This player has good shot anticipation and frequently has an outstanding shot or attribute around which a game may be structured. Can regularly hit winners and force errors off short balls. Can put away volleys and smashes and has a variety of serves to rely on.



ITN 4 This player can use power and spin and has begun to handle pace. Has sound footwork, can control depth of shots, and can vary game plan according to opponents. Can hit first serves with power and can impart spin on second serves.



ITN 5 This player has dependable strokes, including directional control and depth on both ground strokes and on moderate shots. Has the ability to use lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys with some success.



ITN 6 This player exhibits more aggressive net play, has improved court coverage, improved shot control and is developing teamwork in doubles.



ITN 7 This player is fairly consistent when hitting medium paced shots, but is not yet comfortable with all strokes. Lacks control over depth, direction and power.



ITN 8 This player is able to judge where the ball is going and can sustain a short rally of slow pace.



ITN 9 This player needs on court experience but strokes can be completed with some success.



ITN 10 This player is starting to play competitively (can serve and return / rally) on a full court using a normal ITF approved ball.



10.1 This player is able to rally with movement and control.



10.2 This player has developed some simple tennis-specific skills in hitting an oncoming ball regularly, however rallying with movement and control is not yet achieved.



ITN 10.3 This player is in the early stages of tennis skills development and is primarily learning simple tennis co-ordination tasks / exercises.
 

JohnThomas1

Professional
Bah i just found your scale and our 4 is exactly your 4.5. Given the more condensed scale and the fact that i beat most 4's i might sneak to a 5 on your scale i am hoping lol
 

kevhen

Hall of Fame
It seems like everyone thinks they are a 5.0 but you have to actually go out and win some (or at least be very competitive) matches in Open level tournaments to be at that level.

Most people who play competitively are 3.5 with those at the club with lots of experience being 4.0's. The club pros and those at the top are 4.5 or 5.0. That is my experience around here, and this is no tennis hotbed.

The kid I beat this week who plays #2 singles in college said he was rated 5.0 in South Dakota. I am close to 4.5 but consider myself still just strong 4.0 based on tournament results. Based on NTRP descriptions I am 4.5.

You might be just 4.0 level if you played tournaments over here. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
 

treausnbrae

New User
I'm not the one you asked the question for, but though I'd reply and see if what you all think.

My strengths are: strong 2hand backhand, good topspin forehand, footwork and fast on my feet. Last time we went down south to play in the SoCal Spring USTA Team Tennis(1yr ago) I played in the 4.0's and one a 3 setter and lost a 2 setter 6-4, 7-5. Another strength is that i get to almost everything.

My weaknesses are: and I know this is a big one- my second serve. And it seems like it's a mental thing, but it has plagued me for the last several months. Before that my serve was another one of my strengths and would hardly get broke. Before maybe a couple of doubles now I could double 15 times. Also, my volleys could be better.

I like to think of myself as a strong 4.0, maybe even 4.5. But does this current serve delima count me out of that category. Let me know what you think and maybe even some suggestions on my serve. Thanks everyone.

Chris
 

Bungalo Bill

G.O.A.T.
treausnbrae said:
I'm not the one you asked the question for, but though I'd reply and see if what you all think.

My strengths are: strong 2hand backhand, good topspin forehand, footwork and fast on my feet. Last time we went down south to play in the SoCal Spring USTA Team Tennis(1yr ago) I played in the 4.0's and one a 3 setter and lost a 2 setter 6-4, 7-5. Another strength is that i get to almost everything.

My weaknesses are: and I know this is a big one- my second serve. And it seems like it's a mental thing, but it has plagued me for the last several months. Before that my serve was another one of my strengths and would hardly get broke. Before maybe a couple of doubles now I could double 15 times. Also, my volleys could be better.

I like to think of myself as a strong 4.0, maybe even 4.5. But does this current serve delima count me out of that category. Let me know what you think and maybe even some suggestions on my serve. Thanks everyone.

Chris

Not really, if you fit the description reasonably I woould rate you accordingly even if you had some weaknesses. From its purest standpoint, I agree that you should be able to beat or at least compete in the class you think your in. In other words, even if you didnt win the trophey, the matches should be pretty close and challenging for both players. You dont hae to win the trophey in a 4.5 level to be considered a 4.5 player. Just as long as the match or matches were competitive.

On the other hand, a lot of players sandbag (play down) to be able to win the prize(s). So at times, you enter as a 4.5 but are playing a 5.0 to a 5.5 level player. Hopefully, the tournament directors are getting more strict with the level of players to ensure everyone entered in a level has a fair chance at the prize.

On another note: The second serve dilemma can only be broken by serve practice. That way you dont have the fear of a double fault which can "freeze" the motion and you end up pushing the ball over. When you're on your own, you have the freedom to hit out and that is what allows you to learn to trust the swing.

Sounds like we have a lot of good tennis players here.
 

Power Game

Professional
As Bill said, you need to develop confidence in hitting them at big points, that way you can remove your fear
 

JohnThomas1

Professional
Thanks guys, and Bill as usual :)

Ok, my game. For starters i play mostly doubles so i'll speak with that in mind. My serve isn't huge, but is very practical. I'm only 5'7ish, so it is never going to be big. I hit a good slice wide in the duece side and am geting better at the flat ball down the middle both sides. I usually nab a couple of aces a set i guess. I rarely double fault, but my second ball is not real big. I do defend it ok tho. My overhead is decent without being a standout. Not bad, not good i guess. My volleys are VERY steady, but lack penetration. The odd halfvolley under pressure pops up, tho i am improving that. My touch is quite reasonable. My big strength at the net is that i am well known for having super fast hands and great anticipation. I love my opponent having a setup around the service line, many a time i block these back straight at the hitter. I play first court and have a steadyish backhand chip and a good semi western forehand on the return. I have a good backhand lob over the netmans head. I bunt big serves back quite well in singles. From a singles viewpoint on groundies i have a strongly regarded SW forehand with a fair amount of top. My backhand slice is very steady but lacks penetration. My topspin backhand is a developing shot but i pass quite ok when i have to with it now.I do need to develop my drive a lot more tho in rally's.

Basically i am a very consistent player that lacks penetration apart from the forehand. My fellow competitors also think my speed is one of my best assets. I hope i haven't blown myself up too much, just trying for an honest self assessment :)
 

Bungalo Bill

G.O.A.T.
JohnThomas1 said:
Thanks guys, and Bill as usual :)

Ok, my game. For starters i play mostly doubles so i'll speak with that in mind. My serve isn't huge, but is very practical. I'm only 5'7ish, so it is never going to be big. I hit a good slice wide in the duece side and am geting better at the flat ball down the middle both sides. I usually nab a couple of aces a set i guess. I rarely double fault, but my second ball is not real big. I do defend it ok tho. My overhead is decent without being a standout. Not bad, not good i guess. My volleys are VERY steady, but lack penetration. The odd halfvolley under pressure pops up, tho i am improving that. My touch is quite reasonable. My big strength at the net is that i am well known for having super fast hands and great anticipation. I love my opponent having a setup around the service line, many a time i block these back straight at the hitter. I play first court and have a steadyish backhand chip and a good semi western forehand on the return. I have a good backhand lob over the netmans head. I bunt big serves back quite well in singles. From a singles viewpoint on groundies i have a strongly regarded SW forehand with a fair amount of top. My backhand slice is very steady but lacks penetration. My topspin backhand is a developing shot but i pass quite ok when i have to with it now.I do need to develop my drive a lot more tho in rally's.

Basically i am a very consistent player that lacks penetration apart from the forehand. My fellow competitors also think my speed is one of my best assets. I hope i haven't blown myself up too much, just trying for an honest self assessment :)

Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. I think if you can compete at the level you think you can, then that is your rating.

Just because you may lack the power you would like to have, you make up for it in consistency and speed. Those are assets that others in your category probably wish they had more of.

For example, I am rated a 5.0 player. My greatest asset is my power. If I am on, I can easily dominate a point (the only way you're going to win is with a frame ball hit to an odd area of the court) and control the whole match. Although I am not lightnening fast, I do have a very good first step and above average quickness. However, there are days my power is a hindurance because I am not focusing well, or had a little too many beers the night before, or have some bug up my blankety-blank and aim for the lines, or the style someone is using against me matches well against my weaknesses. Those are the days I wish I was more consistant, patient, and faster.

Since I am 45 years old, I have realized that this is as good as it gets and I need to be content with that. Otherwise, I need to start eating a lot of salads, neglect my other responsibilities and start spending a lot more time on the court drilling. If you have ever been married, you know that ain't going to happen.

So, I think everyone will be better in one area and not so good in another. I think it is the balance of it all that weighs what level you are.
 

JohnThomas1

Professional
Thanks yet again Bill. If you are a 5 then i'd have to be lower than that on your scale. I'm sure you would whoop my butt no worries.
 
Top