NTRP Ratings are Posted!

If you play competitive tennis in the U.S., you probably saw a little ping in your inbox, or logged onto United States Tennis Association (USTA)’s site yesterday, because the latest round of National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) ratings have just been published.

What is an NTRP Rating?

The NTRP is a numerical system ranging from 1.5 (beginner) all the way up to 7.0 (touring pro / world-class) that measures a player’s overall tennis skill level.

For instance, a 3.0-rated player is typically fairly consistent on medium-paced shots, though may still struggle with directional control, depth, pace variation or shot variety. At higher levels, a 5.0 or 5.5 player often has good shot variety, effective volleys/drops/lobs, dependable serve and return, and can execute under pressure.

How NTRP Ratings Are Determined

For new or returning players, the process begins with a “self-rate”, which is a questionnaire about your tennis background to give you a provisional rating so you can join a USTA league or tournament. After you play a few “official” matches in USTA Adult Divisions or sanctioned tournaments, the system computes a “dynamic rating,” which adjusts over time based on match outcomes, and eventually produces a “year-end” rating.

Because of this, NTRP ratings don’t jump wildly after a single match, they evolve slowly to reflect a player's consistent level over time.

Why the New Ratings Matter

• Matchmaking and fairness. With updated ratings, league directors, captains, and tournament organizers can better place players in flights, divisions, or draws, so matches are more fun, competitive, and balanced.

• Finding the right opponents. Players looking for matches or hitting partners can use the latest NTRP numbers to identify others at similar levels.

• Tracking your progress. If your rating increases this year, it’s a concrete sign your game has improved. If it dips, maybe it’s time to adjust training or tactics.

• Eligibility for leagues/tournaments. Many adult leagues and USTA tournaments are structured around NTRP levels, an updated rating could change what leagues or events you’re eligible for next season.

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What to Do With Your New Rating

1. Log into your USTA/TennisLink account to view your updated NTRP rating.

2. Self-scout — compare your new rating to last year’s and reflect: do the new numbers match how you feel about your game?

3. Choose play wisely — sign up for leagues or events that match your current rating.

4. Set goals — if you’re a 3.5 and you want to hit 4.0 next year, plan out what improvements (serve, consistency, strategy) you’ll focus on to get there.