Worried about my self-rating before committing to a league team...

[ECUmedford]

I finally have a chance to join a USTA league (6.5 combo doubles), but now I am worried that I self-rated too low.

I played on a 3.5 league 10 years ago back when I had no idea how to hit with good top spin. I just got back into the sport this past year playing social doubles with some retired folks that like to play one up and one back (which drives me crazy). I played in a non-sanctioned 3.5 doubles tournament with my old doubles partner from high school, and we ended up winning it. He was on the NC state championship 3.0 team in the spring so he is moved up to 3.5 now.

I self-rated as a 3.5 and tried to join a summer singles league but couldnt get on a team. I tried to play in a 3.5 singles tournament last weekend but it was rained out.

I played one match against my cousin, who is a D1 college player and ended up losing 2, 3. I had no answer for his ridiculous kick serve. Yesterday I played one set with a D1 college player, expecting to get waxed and I beat him 6-2.

I am starting to think that I self-rated myself too low. Should I turn down the offer to play on the 6.5 team and try to play a 3.5 tournament ASAP to see where I stack first or should I just do it?

Will wins in this league help me move up my computer ranking or not?

 

[jrs]

Is it not possible to hire a local pro to give you a rating? Perhaps hit with him for 15 - 20 mins - ask him/her to give you a rating?

 

[Topspin Shot]

What colleges do they play for? I've never heard of a 3.5 level D1 player. 5.0 or 4.5 sandbagger is the bare minimum.

 

[schmke]

Playing in a Combo league in your section should not affect your rating nor will you be subject to strikes and a DQ in this league to my knowledge.

So you are doing the right thing wondering if you self-rated too low and wanting to be at the right level, but I don't think you are jeopardizing anything for you or your team should you play as a 3.5 in this league. If you play a match or two and feel like you are clearly better than a 3.5, you can opt out of playing any more matches or may be able to appeal your self-rating up to 4.0 at that point.

--
NTRP Ratings FAQ

 

[J_R_B]

Also, if you think you are rated too low, join a 7.5 combo league instead of 6.5. There you would be paired with a better player against better competition, and you would be able to see what higher competition is like. If you think you're a 4.0 after playing 7.5 combo, then sign up for 4.0 instead of 3.5 in adult.

 

[ECUmedford]

Playing in a Combo league in your section should not affect your rating nor will you be subject to strikes and a DQ in this league to my knowledge.

So you are doing the right thing wondering if you self-rated too low and wanting to be at the right level, but I don't think you are jeopardizing anything for you or your team should you play as a 3.5 in this league. If you play a match or two and feel like you are clearly better than a 3.5, you can opt out of playing any more matches or may be able to appeal your self-rating up to 4.0 at that point.

--
NTRP Ratings FAQ

Great thank you for the good info. I went ahead and signed up for the 6.5 league. I would have preferred 7.5 but at this point I'm just happy to be able to get in some league matches.

My cousin played for Winston-Salem State before their tennis program was cancelled recently, so he isn't active. I'd rather not say where the other guy plays to save him the embarrassment. I was playing lights out and I probably caught him on a bad day.

 

[austintennis2005]

no way a 3.5 player beats a D1 college player 6-2 or even a 4.0, D1 players are all at least 5.0 level.... if it doesnt gel it isnt aspic and this aint gelling.

 

[J_R_B]

no way a 3.5 player beats a D1 college player 6-2 or even a 4.0, D1 players are all at least 5.0 level.... if it doesnt gel it isnt aspic and this aint gelling.

Not all. There are some pretty weak D1 schools. If you're talking about major conference D1, then everyone is at least 5.5, but there are weak D1 programs (more or less D1 schools that don't really care about tennis...) with guys who are 4.0 or even 3.5 level. Rider around here is one. They get smoked annually by D3 neighbor TCNJ, and had guys who are 4th or 5th in their lineup playing in the 3.5 draw of our local tournament (and not winning...). So, while most (or almost all) D1 varsity athletes will be 5.0 or higher, you can't use it as a blanket statement.

 

[beernutz]

Great thank you for the good info. I went ahead and signed up for the 6.5 league. I would have preferred 7.5 but at this point I'm just happy to be able to get in some league matches.

My cousin played for Winston-Salem State before their tennis program was cancelled recently, so he isn't active. I'd rather not say where the other guy plays to save him the embarrassment. I was playing lights out and I probably caught him on a bad day.

WSSU I believe is in the CIAA which is D2. Bummer about their program getting canceled. Was your cousin on scholarship when it happened?

 

[ECUmedford]

WSSU I believe is in the CIAA which is D2. Bummer about their program getting canceled. Was your cousin on scholarship when it happened?

They are D2 now, but they were Division I and played in the MEAC. Yeah, he was on scholarship when it happened. He is finishing up at Appalachian State now.

 

[ECUmedford]

Not all. There are some pretty weak D1 schools. If you're talking about major conference D1, then everyone is at least 5.5, but there are weak D1 programs (more or less D1 schools that don't really care about tennis...) with guys who are 4.0 or even 3.5 level. Rider around here is one. They get smoked annually by D3 neighbor TCNJ, and had guys who are 4th or 5th in their lineup playing in the 3.5 draw of our local tournament (and not winning...). So, while most (or almost all) D1 varsity athletes will be 5.0 or higher, you can't use it as a blanket statement.

This guys university has a lot of name recognition as a school, but their program is horrid. I think they won two matches last year.