General & Experienced Player Guidelines

Supplement to the NTRP Guidelines

7.0 6.5 6.0 5.5 5.0 4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5
You are a You are You have had You have mastered You have good shot You have developed your You have dependable This player has This player is fairly This player is
world- currently intensive training power and/or anticipation and frequently use of power and spin and strokes, including achieved improved consistent when learning to judge
class playing USTA for national consistency as a have an outstanding shot can handle pace. You have directional control and stroke dependability hitting medium where the ball is
Characteristics

player. circuit events tournament major weapon. You or attribute around which a sound footwork, can depth on both forehand with directional control paced shots, but is going although
in hopes of a competition at the can vary strategies game may be structured. control depth of shots, and and backhand sides on on moderate shots, not comfortable court coverage is
professional junior and and styles of play You can regularly hit attempt to vary game plan moderate-paced shots. but still lacks depth with all strokes and weak. Can
General
NTRP

tennis career. collegiate levels in a competitive winners or force errors off according to your You can use lobs, and variety. This lacks execution sustain a short
and have obtained situation and hit of short balls and can put opponents. You can hit overheads, approach shots player exhibits more when trying for rally of slow
a sectional and/or dependable shots away volleys. You can first serves with power and and volleys with some aggressive net play, directional control, pace with other
has improved court depth, or power. players of the
national ranking. in a stress successfully execute lobs, accuracy and place the success and occasionally
coverage, and is Most common same ability.
situation. drop shots, half volleys, second serve. You tend to force errors when serving.
developing teamwork doubles formation
overhead smashes, and overhit on difficult shots. Rallies may be lost due to
in doubles. is one-up, one-
have good depth and spin Aggressive net play is impatience. Teamwork in
back.
on most second serves. common in doubles. doubles is evident.

World Class
Age Age Age Age Age
For more details concerning specific playing
Players (top 400 Current characteristics, see NTRP Specific Characteristics
in world)
35 and under 36 to 40 41 to 50 51 to 60 61 and over
on www.usta.com/leagues
Satellite, Futures, Circuit
Age Age Age Age All assigned ratings may be immediately appealed
Players Current
(over # 400 in world) 35 and under 36 to 45 46 to 55 56 and over electronically on TennisLink.

Div. 1 Top 75 ranked college

team or player Age Age Age Age Age Individuals with expired NTRP ratings will be limited
(commited to, playing, or played 30 and under 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to 60 61 and over to no more than .5 below their last published rating.
)

Div. 1 unranked college team or player; NAIA,

Age Age Age Age
Div. 2 & 3 top ranked college team or player Players in wheelchairs should use these same
(commited to, playing, or played ) 30 and under 31 to 45 46 to 55 56 and over
General Characteristics to determine their NTRP skill
level. The only difference observed is mobility and
Domestic or foreign Junior 18's ranked in top Age Age Age Age
150 nationally or in a section in the top 20
power on the serve based on the severity of the
30 and under 31 to 45 46 to 55 56 and over
injury. The very best World Class players in
wheelchairs have an NTRP rating in the low 4.5
Domestic or foreign Adults ranked in the top 20 Age Age Age Age range.
nationally or in a section in the top 10 30 and under 31 to 45 46 to 55 56 and over

NAIA, Div. 2 & 3 unranked college team player (commited to, playing, or played ) -program with no scholarships (not
Age Age
much stronger than High School tennis); Junior College player;
Former Juniors who had national (foreign or domestic) rankings but did not tour or play in college 35 and under 36 and over

Tennis Professionals Minimum level

Post season play in High High School

High school tennis athlete may not self-rate below 3.0 and will be higher if they participated in post season play
School Experience

Players new to tennis who have had competitive experience in other sports should consider the rapid improvement anticipated and not rate below 3.0 Athletic ability

The USTA League Committee has approved these guidelines as a tool for accurate self-rating and NTRP Self-rate Grievance decisions. These guidelines will be advertised to players and captains and will be considered fair warning to players and captains who commit
or condone future self rating abuses. USTA League Grievance Committees may suspend captains for condoning self rating abuses. Grievance committees have the authority to dismiss complaints or alter the application of these guidelines when they deem appropriate.
The USTA League Committee asks all players, captains, coordinators, tennis professionals and volunteers to join the campaign to maintain the integrity of the NTRP Rating System! Current and former college team rankings for Div 1, Div 2,Div 3,NAIA and Junior
colleges may be found at www.itatennis.com. Click on tab at top of website titled "College Tennis Online" for individual player searches. updated December 2007

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