How to Appeal Your USTA Rating

By: Tracy Rolling

At Midwest Racquet Sports we want to help you play your best tennis. Whether you’re new to the game or have been playing for years, having the correct USTA Rating is just as important as playing with the right tennis racquet! Not only does the correct play level rating ensure fair competition, but it connects you with the appropriate playing opportunities. Leagues and tournaments are organized by the USTA on both a local and national level. Plus, having the correct rating based on your ability will maximize your quality of play and prevent frustration over uneven matchups. Before we get started, let’s understand what a USTA Rating is.

What is a USTA or NTRP Rating?

The USTA (United States Tennis Association) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and develop tennis at all levels. They govern the game and establish rules along with the ITF (International Tennis Federation). Since tennis is a sport defined by skill, strategy, and competitiveness, the USTA developed a rating system known as NTRP (National Tennis Rating Program). This program measures a tennis player’s skills, then assigns a numeric value to that player based on a scale from 1.0 to 7.0, increasing and decreasing in half increments.

• 1.0-2.5: Beginners and new players learning the game.
• 3.0-3.5: Intermediate players who understand basic techniques and strategies.
• 4.0-4.5: Advanced players with a strong understanding of strategy and shot making.
• 5.0-6.0: Highly skilled players who are extremely competitive.
• 6.5-7.0: Elite players with professional-level skills.

How do you Establish a USTA Rating?

Establishing an NTRP is as easy as tying a pair of tennis shoes. You can self-rate by visiting the USTA website and completing a simple questionnaire. Another option would be to do a Dynamic Rating, which adjusts your rating based on the results of your matches in USTA leagues and tournaments. It considers the skill level of your opponents as well as your individual results. Lastly, you can build and refine your USTA rating by consistently participating in sanctioned USTA tournaments or leagues. Once your NTRP rating is initially established, the local USTA regional offices will track your results and dynamically adjust the rating as you progress. There are other rating platforms, such as UTR (Universal Tennis Rating), which uses a similar method for its members.

Difference between a Rating and a Ranking

A lot of people get ratings mixed up with rankings. Rankings are another type of numeric system that determines a player's position relative to other players in their same category. For example, professional tennis players on the ATP and WTA earn ranking points during a calendar year by competing and advancing at various tournaments. Their rankings fluctuate based on their performance and the results of their peers. Currently, Jannik Sinner is ranked No. 1 in the world for Men’s Singles, however, Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz hope to take points away from Sinner at the upcoming Australian Open.

How to Appeal your USTA Tennis Rating

If you believe your NTRP rating is inaccurate, here’s an outline for how to appeal it.

1. Before you file an NTRP appeal, confirm your rating history and past results. Look at recent tournaments, the level of your opponents, their results and ratings.
2. Follow the specific guidelines from the USTA to file an appeal.
3. Gather supporting evidence to create a strong case for your appeal. This includes feedback from coaches, scores, or ratings from past opponents. It could also be training or improvement milestones as well as details about a short or long-term medical condition or injury.
4. Submit your appeal through the official USTA website, using the online forms provided.
5. Wait for your appeal to be reviewed and respond quickly if any support documents are requested.
6. Be patient and accept the results given to you.

Speaking from personal experience, you might have to appeal a few times before you are successful. If this is the case, don’t stop playing tennis, and don’t stop advocating for your spot on the court.

Tips for Avoiding Rating Issues

1. When you first establish your NTRP rating, make sure it is accurate. You can get a baseline on your game by hitting against other rated players or consulting with your coach.
2. Stay active on the court by playing regularly and competing in USTA events.
3. Lastly, don’t give your opponent an advantage before you even strike a ball. Keep your equipment up-to-date including your racquets, strings, footwear, and apparel.

Shop MidwestRacquetSports.com today and play your best tennis in the New Year!