Frequently Asked Questions
Rating FAQ
Everything you’ve always wanted to know about your official USTA rating!
An NTRP Rating is a numerical indicator of tennis-playing ability, from 1.5 (beginner) through 7.0 (touring pro), which aligns with a set of general characteristics that break down the skills and abilities of each level, in 0.5 increments. Ratings are generated by play in USTA Adult Divisions of 18 & over,40 & over, 55 & over, 65 & Over, Mixed 18 & Over, Mixed 40 & Over and Mixed 55 & over.
In some sections, results from USTA Sanctioned Tournaments and additional leagues may be included in the Ratings calculation. Ratings help establish a player’s NTRP skill level after only a few matches and do not change dramatically. Rather, they slowly increase or decrease over time as they reflect consistent player skill level as exhibited through play results.
No. The NTRP system identifies general levels of ability, but an individual will be rated within those levels at 50 different hundredths of a point. For example, a 3.5 player can fall anywhere between a 3.01 and a 3.50. A typical match result for a player with a 3.01 rating versus a 3.49 player, both of whom are 3.5s, would be 6-0, 6-0 in favor of the higher rated player.
A rating is a number assigned to a player that reflects their level of playing ability. A ranking reflects the relative position of strength based on other players on the rankings list and is only achieved through tournament play.
Computerized ratings are affected by the score of a match as well as the dynamic ratings of a player’s partner and the player’s opponents. Based on player dynamic ratings at the start of a match, the NTRP algorithm expects a particular outcome of a match. The actual outcome is then compared to the expected outcome, and because of this comparison, the player’s dynamic rating is adjusted up or down (or there is no change, if the outcome was as expected).
Computerized ratings are not directly affected by what position a player played, actual number of wins and losses, age, or team standing.
A player receives a Year-End Rating by playing at least three valid matches in Leagues or included Tournaments. A valid match is defined as a team match in which most of the individual matches played by the two competing teams have completed at least six games.
A Year-End Rating, also known as a Computer Rating, refers to a player’s rating generated by their participation in USTA League Adult Divisions of 18 & over, 40 & over, or 55 & Over, and other play as applicable during a year.
Results affecting a player’s USTA Rating:
All Adult Spring Leagues, Men & Women 18 +, 40+, 55+, 65+, all Applicable Levels
Mixed – applies only if a player does not have other Spring results
A Year-End Rating is an NTRP level assigned at the conclusion of the league championship which reflects a player’s ability level determined by a mathematical algorithm. A player’s Year-End Rating, published each December, is used to determine which USTA League(s) they are eligible to participate in during the following year. Year-End Ratings are valid for up to three years for players 59 years of age or under, and for up to two years for players over 60 years of age, or until another rating is generated.
Appeals
Computer Rated Players – up or down
Mixed Exclusive Players – up or down
Self-Rated Players – up
NOTE: There is no further appeal if the appeal is denied.
No. Players should not appeal their rating unless they are sure they want to have it changed. If an auto appeal is granted in error, please contact the Section League Coordinator.
No. The only way to find out of a player’s rating is within the appeal range is to go to TennisLink and appeal the rating. The player should make sure they want to appeal before going through the process.
No. Teaching professionals have a general sense of how someone may compete at various NTRP levels. This enables them to help connect new players with other players who may have a compatible style of play. However, they are not trained by the USTA to accurately assess a player’s exact NTRP rating. Ratings are based on matches, not how well someone can hit their strokes or play points in a lesson. In addition, a formal visual verification process is no longer recognized by the USTA.
When players successfully appeal their rating, it moves them up to that level but has a negligible effect on the year-end calculation. If the appeal took place late in the season and no matches were played after that point, the appeal has no effect on the Year-End Rating.
Dynamic Ratings in one-hundredths are not available to players. The USTA is aware of other sites that suggest they provide NTRP ratings and/or player statistics and skill analysis. The alleged NTRP related information available on these other sites is not endorsed by the USTA, is not accurate, and cannot be relied upon.
Calculations are done nightly, and a player’s dynamic rating can fluctuate up and down depending on their match play.
Medical appeals are only considered for players who want to move down due to a permanently disabling injury or illness. It is recommended to log into TennisLink and use the auto appeal option to move up. If the auto appeal is denied, in this special circumstance, the Section League Coordinator should be contacted.
Even if players are the same NTRP level they can have different ratings in hundredths for their starting rating. If they had any matches against different opponents, that could cause a deviation between their ratings in hundredths. Appeals of Year-End Ratings are denied if they do not meet the appeal criteria.
Win/loss records do not directly affect the year-end calculation. A player’s rating may have improved (in hundredths), but it may not have improved enough to move them up into the next level. Even if players are in the same NTRP level, they can have a different start rating based on their previous Year-End rating. If they had matches against different opponents, that could also cause a deviation between their ratings in hundredths.