USTA NorCal NTRP Self Rating
NTRP, National Tennis Rating Program, is a classification program that identifies and describes levels of tennis ability. The NTRP is used to assure equitable competition in USA League tennis.New NorCal players and players with expired ratings will enter the program by rating themselves using the Elite Players Guidelines and the NTRP General and Specific Characteristics of Various Playing Levels.
When a player begins the rostering process to join a team, the computer checks for a valid rating, and finding none, will take the player directly to the self rating program. After the player has self-rated, it takes three business days for the player's rating to appear on the USTA NorCal site. At that time the player must return to the team page to register.
Self-Rating Guidelines
If you have any history of high school tennis, college team tennis, tournament (Satellite, Futures or Circuit) or world class play, please see the Elite Player Guidelines for self-rating.
To place yourself:
Click Here to View NTRP Characteristics Chart.
1. Begin with 1.0. Read all categories carefully and then decide which one best describes your present ability level.
2. Assume you are competing against players of the same gender and ability level.
3. Consider your play with league players who currently have computer ratings.
4. If in doubt, place yourself in the next highest category.
To check yourself:
After choosing a rating level, ask yourself: "Can I play competitively against any age player of my gender who is rated at the
same level that I have rated myself?"
If your answer is "yes," your self-rating is probably accurate.
Questions and Answers:
Q. Should players rate themselves as singles players, doubles players, or both?
A. Players should rate themselves based on their overall tennis ability. If players are stronger at singles or doubles, they should base their rating on the stronger game.
Q. Must players qualify on all points of all NTRP Playing Level Characteristics?
A. No. The rating categories are generalizations about skill levels.
Q. Can a player with an obvious stroke deficiency be rated at the same level, or higher, than a player who has no such deficiency?
A.Yes. Some players, for example, cannot hit topspin backhands but have certain abilities that enable them to play competitively with players who can do so.
Q. Can I declare a different self-rating for different League divisions (e.g. 3.5 for Adult and 4.0 for Senior)?
A. No. Once you declare an initial self rating, you are bound by it for the calendar year or until you generate a final, year-end rating. The only exception to this is in the event of a player disqualification, where one is immediately bound by the higher "DQ" rating.
The USTA League Tennis committee has established guidelines for Elite Players (players with Junior ranked history, players with college tennis history, players with tournament history). These guidelines are built into NorCal's self rating program. They should be considered fair warning to players and captains who commit or condone self- rating abuses. USA League Tennis Grievance committees are authorized to suspend captains for condoning self-rating abuses. The USA League Tennis Committeee asks all players, captains, coordinators, tennis professionals and volunteers to join the campaign to maintain the integrity of the NTRP Rating System.