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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT NTRP
GENERAL
1. What is NTRP?
National Tennis Rating Program is a classification system developed
in 1978 that identifies and describes the general characteristics of thirteen levels
of tennis-playing ability.
2. What is a self-rating? A self-rating is an entry rating level determined by the
new player based on questions asked in the TennisLink registration process. All
players must enter league tennis with a valid computer rating or self rate using
TennisLink. (See #18)
3. What is a Dynamic rating?
A dynamic rating is a calculation based on a single match result. A dynamic
rating may change with each match played. A dynamic rating is the result of
your current match averaged with up to three of your most recent dynamic results
generated.
4. What is a year-end rating?
A year-end rating is a NTRP level assigned at conclusion of the league
championship year that reflects level of ability. A player’s year-end rating shall
be used to enter leagues during the following year and will be valid for up to three
years or until another rating is generated.
5. What is an early start rating?
An early start rating is a tentative rating for exclusive use by players who register
for an early start league prior to publication of year-end ratings. The number is
based on the most current dynamic rating at the time of publication. Early start
ratings are replaced by year-end ratings. If you play in an early start league with
an early start rating, please check with your section to see if you may continue to
compete on your team if your year-end rating goes up.
6. How often are dynamic ratings calculated?
Local play is calculated nightly for the Adult and Senior Divisions. During
championships, dynamic ratings are run instantly as match results are entered.
In all other divisions, match ratings are produced at year-end.
7. Is there a difference between a dynamic rating and a year-end rating?
Yes, there are several.
• Dynamic ratings are not disclosed to players, where year-end ratings are
published annually at NTRP levels.
• Dynamic ratings are expressed to the one-hundredth of a point, where
year-end ratings are expressed only to the one-half point.
• Dynamic ratings are calculated regularly and based on an average of the
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previous four dynamic ratings, where year-end ratings are based 50% on
one’s cumulative dynamic rating during the season and 50% on the
comparison to the benchmark player.
8. Can my rating level change during the championship year?
Yes.
• If you receive the 3rd strike and are dynamically disqualified at your present
level.
• If a Self-Rate Eligibility Grievance is upheld, this may also result in raising
your level. (see Disqualification Process #24-30)
9. If my rating changes with every match played, can I see it?
No. Ratings are only published at year end.
10. Does the dynamic calculation treat doubles partners differently?
No. Dynamic calculation maintains the rating differential between doubles
partners that existed before a match. For example if a 3.3 and a 3.5 player are
paired together, specific match results are applied to each player equally and the
two partners will maintain the .2 differential.
11. Does the dynamic calculation apply to Mixed Doubles League play?
Yes, for players who participate exclusively in the Mixed Doubles Division. Mixed
Doubles results will not be part of generating a player’s year-end rating except for
those players who play exclusively mixed doubles.
12. How does a mixed exclusive player get a rating?
The last dynamic rating generated with a minimum of two matches calculated in
mixed exclusive is the year-end rating that will be used as the NTRP start level
for the next year.
13. Can I use my mixed exclusive rating to play in other divisions?
Yes. Mixed exclusive is a minimum NTRP start level only. A mixed exclusive
rating is not supported by any NTRP calculation data.
14. Do USTA sanctioned tournaments count in the dynamic rating system?
If so, can a tournament win be used as one of the three “strikes”?
Each section has the option of including tournament results for year-end
calculations. If your section includes sanctioned tournament match scores, they
will not be calculated into the system until after the national championships.
Sanctioned tournament results do not generate strikes; however, they will impact
your year-end rating. Open/Age Division national tournament results are entered
into the NTRP system after league national championships.
15. How will corrections to match scores be made?
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Dispute the match on the TennisLink match card. Contact your local league
coordinator and include the match number, the disputed position, the player
names, and the correct match score.
16. If my NTRP level of play is not available in my local league, what are my
options?
• File an appeal to determine if you are within the appeal range
• Work with your local or district league coordinator to establish a new
division.
• Play a minimum of two matches in a mixed doubles league
• Play a minimum of two matches in NTRP or Open/Age division
tournaments (note: some Sections do not include these matches in Year
End ratings)
17. How can I appeal my early start or year-end rating?
Appeals must be in submitted in writing to the Section or District within the
prescribed deadline. Only the player may appeal his/her rating. A generic form is
available on the league web page. Each section also provides directions,
deadlines and any related fee on their web site. Please see the appeal form for
specific reasons an appeal may be granted.
SELF-RATING
18. When and how do I get a self rating?
If you do not have a computer rating you must self-rate before entering a USTA
league program. Go to www.national.usta.com and you will be connected directly
to TennisLink. You will need your membership number, your team number, and a
major credit card. Click on “Register for a Team” and follow the prompts which
will lead you through the registration and self-rate process. Click on the NTRP
Self-Rate Help Mentor figure for further information and a demo.
19. What if I think a self-rated player has not rated himself or herself
accurately?
On any given day, a player may play above or below his or her rating. If you truly
feel a self-rated player is significantly above level, you may file a fair play
grievance. Contact your local league coordinator.
20. Can I declare a different self-rating for different League Divisions (e.g.,
3.5 for Adult and 4.0 for Senior)?
No. Once you declare an initial self-rating, you are bound by it for one year or
until you generate a computer rating. So if you plan to play 4.0 Senior but also
want to play 3.5 Adult later in the year – be certain that you select 3.5 if an
option.
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21. What if I have self-rated and played four matches in the Adult Division
and then sign up for the Senior Division. Will I use my self-rating or will the
system generate a computer rating for me?
The system will have a Dynamic NTRP number on you from your adult play.
However, you will continue with the self-rating you selected until the year-end
computer ratings are published; unless of course, you are disqualified and you
then must immediately move up.
DISQUALIFICATION PROCESS
22. Can I be disqualified if I have a valid computer rating?
Yes. However, the occurrence of the computer rated player being disqualified is
very rare.
23. Why would I be dynamically disqualified?
When a player receives three strikes, they will be notified that they have been
dynamically disqualified. This happens because you, your captain, or your tennis
professional indicated an NTRP level much too low for your ability on your selfrating.
24. What is a strike and how do I get one?
Each time a player’s dynamic rating exceeds the maximum tolerance for the
level, he or she automatically earns a “strike.”
25. How high can my dynamic rating go before I earn a “strike”?
The Dynamic NTRP system allows a certain tolerance for player improvement—
more for lower level players where rapid improvement is more likely; less for
higher-level players. - The specific improvement factor is not published for
concerns that individuals, captains or others will attempt to manipulate their
ratings.
26. If I receive a third strike while participating in another division, but
following the conclusion of our sectional championship for a given year
and division, will I be allowed to advance to Nationals if otherwise qualified.
Yes.
27. What are the consequences of disqualification?
In all cases, the player is disqualified from participation at that NTRP level. Each
USTA Section will determine which of two methods the section will follow at the
local and the championship level. The effect on Team Standings may vary,
depending on when the DQ occurs:
During local league:
In all cases, the player is disqualified from participation at that NTRP level. Each
USTA Section will determine what matches, if any will be reversed for the local
season.
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During Championships:
Each Section must state before the event one of two methods for NTRP
disqualification.
Following completion of Championship play:
The player is disqualified from participation at that NTRP level for the balance of
the year and the succeeding year. If the section elects to run the computer
ratings following completion of the championships, match scores by the DQ
player will stand.
Throughout Championship play:
If the section elects to run calculations throughout the championship event, the
player will be disqualified from participation at that NTRP level for the balance of
the year and the succeeding year.
• Round Robin format: Throughout the championship, any player reaching
the DQ criteria will have all matches at that NTRP level reversed to 0-6, 0-
6.
• Single Elimination format: Throughout the championship, the last match
played by the player at that NTRP level will be reversed to 0-6, 0-6.
28. Will I be notified if I earn a “strike”?
No. Notice occurs only after three strikes are accumulated.
29. Will I be told exactly which matches earned me “three strikes”?
Yes, with notification of disqualification you will be provided with a printout of all
your matches and the NTRP level generated for each match.
30. Who is notified in the event of a disqualification? By whom? How
quickly?
Responsibility for monitoring dynamic ratings lies with the Section League
Coordinator. When a “third strike” situation arises, the SLC will notify (a) the
affected player, by telephone, e-mail or voicemail message; (b) the player’s
Team Captain, using the Captain’s e-mail address as reported on TennisLink;
and (c) the relevant District and Local League Coordinator. Notification is made
as soon as possible once a third strike has been received. Hard copy will be
mailed to player’s address as it appears on the team roster.
31. Are all players in a given NTRP level equal in ability?
No …The NTRP system identifies general levels of ability, but an individual will
be rated within those levels at 50 different hundredths of a point. For example, a
3.5 player can fall anywhere between a 3.01 and a 3.50. That is the reason many
people feel they are playing sandbaggers – they are closer to the bottom of that
range while their opponents are closer to the top of the range. A typical match
result for a player, for example, with a 3.01 rating versus a 3.49 player, both of
whom are 3.5s, would be 6-0, 6-0 in favor of the higher rated player.
32. The rules state that NTRP disqualification is not part of the Mixed
Doubles Division. If I am disqualified at the Adult or Senior Divisions, am I
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allowed to participate at the DQ’ed level in Mixed Doubles Division for the
remainder of the league year?
No. Even though the Mixed Doubles Division does not allow disqualification, it
must follow the rules in relation to playing at the correct level. A player who has
been moved up as a result of a disqualification in the Adult or Senior Divisions
must immediately adjust his/her NTRP level of play in the Mixed Doubles
Division. The player will have two options:
• If a combined NTRRP level team, he/she may continue on that team by
adjusting the levels. (9.0 combined team—dq’ed 4.5 player now at 5.0
must play with no greater than a 4.0 player)
• If a single NTRP level team, he/she must move up to the appropriate
NTRP level or sit out the balance of that season depending on the
section’s regulations. (A player on a combined NTRP level team may also
choose to move up if the section allows.)
In the Mixed Doubles Division, all matches played up until the notification of the
disqualification will be counted. Any match played at the disqualified level
following notification of the disqualification will be counted as defaults for the
individual team match of the disqualified player and 6-0, 6-0 wins for the
opponents in those individual matches.
33. If I am NTRP disqualified during the Adult Local league, what happens
to my matches in other Divisions?
• If a local NTRP disqualification occurs during concurrent Adult and/or
Senior local league seasons, the disqualifications shall affect the matches
played by the disqualified player in both Divisions.
• If the seasons are not concurrent or over-lapping, the NTRP
disqualification shall affect the matches played by the disqualified player in
the season in which the NTRP DQ occurred.
• The Section determines the penalties to be imposed for NTRP
disqualifications.