In this article, we share with you the 3 recognized means of rating tennis players. Competitive players gain a rating level by participating in leagues and tournaments. If you are a recreational player, who has never competed in a formal event, it is our hope that you find this information helpful.
What is a UTR? (Universal Tennis Rating)
Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) is a global system that rates every tennis player regardless of their age, gender, or nationality. In recent years, UTR has emerged as the metric system of tennis worldwide. It is 16-point scale used to measure a player’s game, skill and capability. The system provides a fair and equal rating to all the players of all the regions without any sort of discrimination and gives an accurate index of a player’s skills and performance level. All professional players in the ATP and WTA have their UTRs.
What is a USTA Rating?
What is NTRP?
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) uses National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) as a benchmark to assess the capability, skill, performance level of a player. The NTRP was developed in the 1970s by USTA when the game was becoming more and more popular in the United States. Since then, the program is used as a measure to define a player’s credentials and to distinguish between a beginner, an intermediate and an advance player. With the help of the USTA program, players are now self-able to evaluate their game and able to know what parameters they need in order to step up their game.
What is an International Tennis Number?
The International Tennis Number (ITN) is a tennis rating that represents a player's general level of play and is recognized internationally. The ITN is a system where players are rated on a scale of 10 levels, from ITN 1 to ITN 10. ITN 1 represents a high level player (ATP / WTA ranking).In time it is hoped that every tennis player worldwide will have an ITN.
Developed by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in 2001, this system allows players to be rated from ITN 1 – ITN 10. ITN 1 represents a high level player (holding an ATP / WTA ranking or of an equivalent playing standard) and ITN 10 is a player that is starting to play competitively (can serve and return) on a full court using a normal ITF approved ball.
ITN Description of Standards
An explanation of the 10 rating categories within the ITN are known as the ITN Description of Standards. The intention is that it should be easy to understand and useful for both the player and / or the ITN assessor (coach / administrator).
The ITN Description of Standards avoids rating players purely on the technical assessment of individual shots. Instead it has used as its basis:
- The general characteristics of various playing levels;
- The five-game / tactical situations of tennis (e.g. Serving, returning, both at baseline, approaching, passing); and
- The game-style of the player.
