2009 Year-End NTRP Rating Updates
The 2009 Year-End Ratings have now been published
. . . What is different about this year?

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.