Pam, I am a firm believer that the NTRP rating is based on politics more
than skill. Not just in the North East, but in the midwest as well. The
raters give opportunities to choose what level you want to be rated at, and
then make sure that there are enough of that rating to play in a USTA league
- regardless of the skill level (specifically, 3.5 or 4.0). I was told that
I was a 3.5 plus, so I could choose a 3.5 or a 4.0 rating - with the
understanding that if I chose the 3.5 I could always 'play up' in the 4.0.
However, if I chose the 4.0 rating, I could not 'play down' in the 3.5's,
which the majority of female players were rated.
If your club doesn't allow you to play up to a 4.0 level - your club has a
problem. The USTA allows 'playing up' so you may want to bring the issue up
to the Head Pro or owner. I would also question your method of being rated.
I believe that you cannot be rated officially by someone from your club or
area. To get an official NTRP rating, a rating official must be from
another town. Or you need to go to another club/ rating clinic out of town.
Good luck!
Received on Thu Jul 27 2000 - 10:28:24 CDT
