The National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) is the official system for determining the levels of competition for USTA Leagues.

Purpose
The primary goal of the program is to help all tennis players enjoy the game by providing a method of classifying skill levels for more compatible matches, group lessons, league play, tournaments and other programs.

Guidelines
The rating categories are generalizations about skill levels.  You may find that you actually play above or below the category which best describes your skill level, depending on your competitive ability.  The category you choose is not meant to be permanent, but may be adjusted as your skills change or as your match play demonstrates the need for reclassification.  Ultimately your rating is based upon match results. 

In an effort to avoid disqualification when players are rating themselves and they question which level they should play, they should place themselves in the higher level of play.  Players must rate themselves in accordance with the NTRP.

Players who are good athletes and intend to spend a great deal of time taking lessons and practicing should be aware that their improvement may be significant enough to surpass their original self-rate level.  All players, both self-rated and computer rated, are subject to disqualification through Sectional Championships.

Dynamic NTRP
In 2003, all USTA sections implemented the Dynamic NTRP.  Dynamic NTRP will allow for ease of entry and ease of administration while maintaining the integrity of USTA League Tennis, but without the requirements of current National NTRP Verification Procedures (visual verification).

Overview
The use of a dynamic rating system is predicated on having the ability to get the match results into the national database quickly and easily with the help of team captains to report scores.  The USTA’s automated data management system, TennisLink, integrates the national database and the NTRP program to provide a seamless flow of information. 

TennisLink provides:
• Significantly improved team registration, membership and eligibility management
• Increased efficiency in match scorecard entry
• Automated standings and a Championship module

Dynamic NTRP ratings will be used to: 
• Produce better year-end NTRP rating based on all previous match results and the use of national benchmark NTRP ratings
• Determine “clearly above level” players
• Produce Dynamic ratings at any point in time to establish ratings for players that begin prior to January 1st of the championship year
Information for NEW USTA League Tennis players
If you’re a New player to USTA League, you will benefit from ease of entry and the elimination of on-court verification and its associated costs and time.  New players enter the program by rating themselves using the NTRP General and Specific Characteristics of Various Playing Levels, located in “National Tennis Rating Program” on the USTA League web page and in various USTA publications.  The NTRP characteristics have not changed.  Many of you should be able to self-rate accurately…do you play with league players who currently have computer ratings.  Knowing their ratings, where would you place yourself?
TennisLink will provide a self-rating declaration box for new players at the time of registration. 
New players will begin to generate a dynamic NTRP rating after their first match against a player who has an NTRP computer rating.

Information for RETURNING USTA League players
If you’re a returning USTA League player you will begin your league season with your current NTRP computer rating.  If you are under 60 years of age and received your computer rating before the 2004 league year, you may self-rate to enter the program.  Computer ratings will stay in the system for 3 years or until replaced with a new computer rating.  If you are 60 years of age and older and received your computer rating before the 2005 league year, you may self-rate to enter the program for you computer rating is only valid for 2 years unless replace with a new computer rating.

Disqualification
Dynamic NTRP ratings will be run by the computer to determine if any players are “clearly above level” using the current Disqualification Procedure Guidelines.  Players will be disqualified if they achieve the currently established “clearly above level” status three times based on all matches reported in the national database for Adult and Senior Divisions.  This includes all match play in Adult and Senior divisions in all sections.   Remember, you must reach this disqualification level three times during the championship league year in order to be disqualified.

Year End Computer Ratings to be Used for League Entry

2007 Championship Year:
Players who are less than 60 years old during the 2007 championship year will have their most current computer rating on file in TennisLink.   They must self-rate if their NTRP rating is older than 3 years. X indicates the years of valid computer rating in TennisLink.
Players who will be 60 years or older during the 2007 championship year will have their most recent computer rating on file in TennisLink.  They must self-rate if their NTRP rating is older than 2 years. X60  indicates the years of valid computer rating in TennisLink. 
TennisLink will automatically remove expired computer and self ratings thereby allowing individuals to self-rate.
Computer ratings are valid based on the above chart.   Computer ratings may still be visible under "Find a Rating", but the system will require you complete the self-rate process. 
Self-ratings are valid for 1 year from the month issued or until replaced by a dynamic or computer rating.  Self-rates will be visible under "Find A Rating" but if more than 12 months the system will require you complete the self-rate process.

Years of Valid Ratings	2003	2004	2005	2006
Adult		X	X	X
Individuals 60 & Over			X60	X60

NTRP Poster
General & Experienced Player Guidelines Supplemental to the NTRP Guidelines