Wrong NTRP rating or not?-Long

[smiley74]

Well, I started out the year thinking I was a 3.0 (self-rated). I have been playing 9 months. I was going to join a 2.5 team but the tennis director/head pro said he thought it was too risky since I might get bumped up. This would, in turn, take away any wins I had received for myself and the team as a whole.

So, I have played two USTA 3.0 tournaments-one in doubles and one in singles. I lost 6-0 6-1 in both.

Then, I played a USTA 3.5 because nobody entered my 3.0 division and the tournament director asked me if I would play up as one other 3.5 player entered. So, I did. I lost 6-0 6-3.

Now, I am wondering if I am really a 2.5? I played a non-Usta match and won (in a tiebreak) but the head tennis lady said my opponent was somewhere between 2.5 and 3.0 (um..kind of a huge range there).

I wish there was a novice 3.0 or maybe a 2.75! :evil:

Granted, my USTA 3.0 losses came to players with at leat two wins at 3.5 who are probably on the bubble (but who knows the way the NTRP computer thing works).

So, any opinions on if I should stay at 3.0 or try to play league at 2.5?

I play 4 times a week (including 2 1 1/2 hour lessons with pro) and am very athletic.

I am thinking I underestimated the ratings. It seems that people who play tournaments (which is my thing) are like the cream of the crop at their level...at least around here, anyways. They are not like me who are new to the game. In fact, my 3.0 singles loss came to a player that has been playing at that level for 5 years! A total 3.0 veteran in my book with tons of match experience.

I have also found there is a HUGE difference between a club player whose club says they are a 3.0 and what USTA tournament 3.0 players can really do......I think clubs over rate but this is just my limited experience.

I have , oh, 11 or so tournaments mapped out for the rest of the year at 3.0. But, wondering if I should play if I am losing with those scores or if I should play 2.5 to get experience and more "match comfortable" and then go for 3.0 next year?

When I play 3.0 (tournament quality 3.0 not club as I am competitive against the weak club designated 3.0 players) I feel rushed. When I play people somewhere between 2.5 and 3.0 the game slows down and I can work on placement and control. My down the lines are much more solid because I have so much time to set up. I have confidence to mix in both off pace (offensive topspin lobs) and strong pace shots and really direct my approach shots. I don't know...it just seems like the game REALLY slows down for me and I can "think". Is this normal?

I don't know when the game will be slow like this for me at 3.0 tournament level. I always feel like I am rushed and on my heels. I tend to overhit and am less controlled. *sigh* Does this mean I am not really a 3.0 yet?

Lastly, I don't know why I played better against a 3.5 than I did a 3.0. I guess I don't mind hitting with topspin and pace as it is easier for me so the 3.5 match seemed more solid-hitting wise. Of course, I don't have a slice yet or a great serve or multiple serves like the 3.5 player.

I guess I am just feeling frustrated. I am happy to finally win a non-club match but wish it was against a stronger opponent as now I am questioning where I belong.........

Not to moan but it cost $40+ for my single elimation tournaments so I want them to be, at least, a bit productive!

 

[lostinamerica]

I find tournament players more in line with actual ratings than league players. The real sandbagging is in the leagues and not the tourneys.

 

[raiden031]

Since you say you are athletic and play 4 days a week, I would guess you are 3.0. But you encountered a strong 3.0 which could mean getting beaten pretty bad. There can be a large range between the skill level of top and bottom players at any given level. So stick with 3.0.

 

[spot]

You are a 3.0, you just aren't a strong 3.0 yet.

 

[Ace]

You are probably a 2.5. When I was a 2.5, I thought I was a 3.0, but my league performance said otherwise. Every match, I would think...oh, I "should" have won that one. But I realize now, I just wasn't at the level I thought I was.
No big deal, work hard, practice your strokes, and you will get better.
It doesn't matter what your rating is, as long as you find a level to play at where you are competitive.

 

[nocab]

If you are athletic and have only been playing 9 months then you will probably get better pretty fast. And by playing better players it will only help your game. I say stick it out at 3.0 if you don't mind losing another tourney or two, but after a couple of more months 3.0's will be complaining you are a 3.5.
good luck

 

[Cindysphinx]

First, I'll say that I feel your pain. I had the same experience when I first tried to play 3.0 (this after a season at 2.5). I felt so rushed. Like the ball was coming too fast. Like my opponents were making me eat shots that were perfectly fine against weaker opponents. Like my attempts to make them eat their weak shots went long. Like I was fast enough to get to every single ball, but I made endless errors once I got there.

So it's not unusual. And it's not a sign you don't belong at 3.0. And your observations that club ratings are lower than USTA ratings are correct, in my experience.

Just stick with it. At 3.0, the key is going to be to pass as many balls as you can over the net. If you can pass 5 balls deep, you have a good shot at winning that point. Do that for an entire match and you'll get some wins.

I don't think you'll feel good about winning at 2.5, so I wouldn't go there. A lot of places have a hard time fielding enough 2.5s to have a tournament or a league anyway, so you'd just get dumped into 3.0.

Too bad you don't live closer. You could spank me in singles and then you'd have a win over a computer-rated 3.5!

 

[smiley74]

. Like I was fast enough to get to every single ball, but I made endless errors once I got there.

Yes, yes, yes!!!!!! I am THERE every single time but can't execute!! :shock:

Or, I rally and then after 4 or 5 balls I, inexplicably, "feel the need" to try to go for either too much or too perfectly placed of a shot. It's just not in my personality to wait for someone else to make an error. :evil:

Well, thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts! I guess I'll just plug along at 3.0 and hope things slow down a bit at the tournament level...

 

[Xisbum]

First, I'll say that I feel your pain.

Speaking of pain, how's the foot? Hope it is better.

 

[Cindysphinx]

Yes, yes, yes!!!!!! I am THERE every single time but can't execute!! :shock:

Yep, exactly.

I still struggle with this, to tell you the truth. Two things seems to help. First, I try to use good footwork, defined as getting to the ball such that every ball is exactly in my strike zone. Second, especially for shorter balls and sitters, take my time and don't rush the shot. I tend to think, "AHA!!! A SITTER!! YOU'RE MINE NOW! I'M GONNA ATTACK THIS BALL AS FAST AS I CAN SO YOU'RE OUT OF POSITION WHEN I STRIKE IT!!" Whappo. Into the back fence. Better, I've learned, is to get there fast and then use all the time available to decide what shot to hit and set up for that shot. No need to rush; any good shot will be a winner regardless of opponent's positioning because I can hit a drop shot or a gentle angle -- shots that do not occur to me when I am rushing.

Or, I rally and then after 4 or 5 balls I, inexplicably, "feel the need" to try to go for either too much or too perfectly placed of a shot. It's just not in my personality to wait for someone else to make an error. :evil:

Yep, that's me. Gotta change it up for no good reason. I'm back there thinking, "This endless rally business is for the birds. It's time for a 1HBH slice!!" Doink. Into the net.

Well, thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts! I guess I'll just plug along at 3.0 and hope things slow down a bit at the tournament level...

Don't worry. You're getting instruction. You'll get the hang of it.

 

[Cruzer]

I have been playing 9 months.

I play 4 times a week (including 2 1 1/2 hour lessons with pro) and am very athletic.

If you are taking 3 hours of lessons a week and are as athletic as you say you are then you should get a lot better any minute now. Playing matches against a variety of different opponents will or should make you a better player.

 

[smiley74]

Cindy, that is SO me!! hahahaha

I played another match today and won 6-2 6-3 against a 2.5 but was up 5-0 in the second set and got bored. It was mental torture for me because slow, flat, off pace balls and serves drive me crazy! I was just trying to stay focused but my mind was wondering.........Ocassionally, I would tee off just to help me maintain insanity. I must have had a lot of inner frustration because I hit one ball like a baseball out of the court and over the chain link fence and I haven't done THAT in a long time!!

Cruzer, thanks. Yeah, my pro is trying to steer me towards more match play because that's, apparently, what I need right now. My mechanics are pretty decent so now it's gaining match experience. I mean we are still working on things like a spin serve and a slice. However, she feels that I need to start putting my lessons into practice......