What's Your Tennis NTRP Rating
If you're new to tennis, or are just getting back into the game after taking some time off, you may be wondering what your NTRP (National Tennis Rating Program) rating is. This guide will explain the different levels of the NTRP rating system and help you determine which level best describes your current skill set.
The NTRP rating system is used by USTA (United States Tennis Association) leagues and tournaments to create fair and competitive matches. It is also used by many private clubs and teaching pros to place new students in appropriate classes and programs. The NTRP ratings range from 1.0 (beginner) to 7.0 (advanced).
Here is a brief description of each level:
1.0: You are a complete newbie to the game and are just learning the tennis rules and how to make contact with the ball.
2.0: You are still a beginner tennis player with very little experience. Your strokes are very basic and you lack control. You need to work on your technique and footwork.
3.0: You are an advanced beginner tennis player. You have some experience with the game and have started to develop your strokes. Your swings are more controlled, but you still need to work on your consistency and footwork.
4.0: You are an intermediate tennis player. Your strokes are fairly consistent and you have good control over them. You may struggle with positioning yourself on the court and returning spins and fast serves.
4.5: You are an advanced intermediate tennis player. You are using power well to control your shots, your spins are on point, and your footwork is helping you get the ball where you need it to be. Drop shots and half volleys are part of your repertoire, and you can successfully rush the net. Your weak points may be defending consistently when attempting an aggressive return and returning a serve at the feet of the opponent.
5.0: You are an advanced tennis player. You are able to maintain a consistent aggressive rally with 10 or more balls, you have steady strokes and a dominant shot. You can return shots to your opponent in both a singles and doubles game. You have a great deep, crosscourt volley and your serves are point winners.
5.5: You are a highly advanced tennis player. Your strokes are extremely consistent and you have complete control over them. You can place the ball exactly where you want it to go, and your opponent has difficulty returning your shots. Your footwork is excellent and you are able to defend well against aggressive play.
6.0: You are a professional-level tennis player. At this level, you may find that you need work in more stressful matches and controlling your power.
If you're not sure what level you should be playing at, do ask your coach for help in determining your NTRP rating. Or, if you're just starting out, try taking our group classes or playing some practice matches with different players to get a better idea of where you fit in.
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Darren Teo is the founder of Play! Tennis, the most Google reviewed tennis academy in Singapore. His passion for making tennis accessible to everyone regardless of their age, experience and ability continues to drive his work at the school. He is a thought leader in LinkedIn with 14,000 followers.