Who is adjusting the ratings,
why, and
what is going to happen?
WHO: The National Oversight Group (NOG) is charged with maintaining the integrity of the National Tennis Rating Program. NOG continually monitors and reviews the accuracy by which the NTRP operates in all aspects of USTA League Tennis. NOG utilizes feedback from
National Championship Observers, staff, volunteers, team captains, and
players each year as part of its analysis of the results, patterns, and trends of this primarily automated system.
WHY: Recently, heavy
concern has been raised
over a growing disconnect between the standards used in the Self Rating and
NTRP guidelines and the
actual characteristics of players on court at various levels.
WHAT: To combat this increasing discrepancy between the NTRP guidelines and player ratings, there will be
nationwide movement of a higher percentage of players
upward this year. This movement will be approximately double that experienced in recent years, however approximately 70% of all players will remain unchanged in their NTRP level. Players will continue to have compatible and competitive matches although many will now be playing at a different level.
What will be the final results?
• While more players will be moved up than in previous years, the majority of the players will have
no change in their ratings.
• Such moves will tend to push entire teams up together rather than isolate specific players.
• Players and teams that have seemed to dominate local leagues year after year will be moved up and allow others to have more opportunity.
• The 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 levels will be less saturated, and play will be more compatible and competitive among teams.
• There will be more players at the 4.5 and 5.0 levels, so there will be more opportunity for local play in these divisions.
• Level of play will begin to more accurately reflect skill descriptors.
• You’ll see a lot of new faces across the net and at the championships.