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The NTRP
How to rate your tennis
level according to
the national tennis rating program
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THE NTRP
Tennis's national rating system
(US)
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
Top 20
Top 10
Top 5
Number 1 in
the world
The NTRP (National Tennis Rating Program) was established in
1978,
it is designed to be easily administered,
non exclusive, achieve better competition, and provide on-court
compatibility.
We've included all the various levels, along with more detailed
description, to better understand and identify the different skill levels.
Modern tennis is about taking time away, the less time you give your
opponent to make a reply, the more your chances of hitting a winner, or
forcing an error. The weaker the player, the less time they give
themselves to prepare and set up to hit the ball.
A 50 mile an hour groundstroke hit directly to an intermediate player
will cause him problems, on the other hand, a 100 mile an hour
groundstroke hit to the open court, in the opposite corner, will be
chased down by Sampras and hit back even harder down the line or cross
court.
The big difference is how early and quickly a top player can get their
body and racket in the hitting zone.
The more heat one can generate (which will rob time from the other player)
and the more heat one can handle, the better one is.
With that in mind, we've added detailed clarification to the NTRP
description.
One tip to keep in mind is:
To generate and handle power, prepare and setup as early as
possible!
The official language of the NTRP is numbered, followed by our
interpretation
1.0 This player is just starting to play tennis
This player:
has never played a set of tennis
does not know how to keep score
has problems making contact with the ball
hits the ball over the fence
has the wrong grips
prepares a year late on all shots
has erratic body movement
has no control of the racquet head
has poor feet, hand and eye coordination
attempts to hit the ball when it is passed their body
misses the ball more often then making contact
Most people who take up tennis and stay with it, do not start out at this
level
Top of page
1.5 This player has limited experience and is still working primarily on
getting the ball into play
This player:
has never played a full tennis match
has the wrong grips
prepares and sets up a month late on all shots
Can get the ball in play, but it looks bad
Top of page
2.0 This player needs on-court experience. This player has obvious stroke
weaknesses, but is familiar with basic positions for singles and
doubles play
This player:
can get most low-paced balls hit close by, in play
has played a few matches
Is looking for the right feel and control of the racquet head
Is learning to be in the right position to hit the ball
prepares and sets up two weeks late
is starting to look for the open court
Top of page
2.5 This player is learning to judge where the ball is going although
coverage is weak. This player can sustain a rally of slow pace with
other players of the same ability
This player:
is starting to play on a regular basis, at least twice a month
is starting to develop and favoring a more dependable side
is starting to realize his strike zone
is starting to think about hitting the ball harder, but rarely does so
prepares a week late on all shots
Top of page
3.0 This player is consistent when hitting medium-paced shots, but is
not comfortable with all strokes and lacks control when trying for
directional intent, dept, or power
This player:
has found his strike zone
will hit most balls back that are in the strike zone, standing still
is starting to compete
is starting to compare his or her game with others
will push a high percentage of 1st serve in play with little power
plays at least once a week
prepares 4 days late
Top of page
3.5 This player has achieved improved stroke dependability and direction
on moderate shots, but still lacks depth and variety. This player
exhibits more aggressive net play, has improved court coverage and is
developing teamwork in doubles
This player:
is maneuvering the body\racquet to hit the ball in his\her strike zone
is starting to go for more, takes more chances
is starting to develop pace and spin
plays at least twice a week
will be consistent against others in the same level or slightly higher
prepares and sets up 3 days late
Top of page
4.0 This player has dependable strokes, including directional control
and depth on both forehand and backhand sides on moderate shots,
plus the ability to hit lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys
with some success. This player occasionally forces errors when serving
and teamwork in doubles is evident
This player:
is less worried about getting the ball in play
attempts to hit all the required shots
has shots that he\she will get in almost every time
covers the court well
attempts to cover his weaknesses
can not generate power or spin outside the strike zone or on the run
prepares 2 days late
Prepares and sets up to hit 2 days late
Top of page
4.5 This player has begun to master the use of power and spins and is
beginning to handle pace, has sound footwork, can control depth of
shots,and is beginning to vary tactics according to opponents. This
player can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the
second serve. This player tends to overhit on difficult shots.
Aggressive net play is common in doubles
This player:
does not self destruct against others of the same level
can compete with higher level players and may even win
knows his strike zone
has one or two good shots that are very reliable
moves well and gets a lot of balls back
prepares 1 day late
Top of page
5.0 This player has good shot anticipation and frequently has an
outstanding shot or attribute around which a game may be structured.
This player can regularly hit winners or force errors of short balls
and can put away volleys, can successfully execute lobs, drop shots,
half volleys and overhead smashes and has good depth and spin on most
second serves.
This player:
is always looking to hit his\her favorite shots
has the potential to go in the zone for a little while
can return any shot that's hit close by
can retrieve almost all hard shots that are anticipated
can hit winners off short balls and balls that are in the strike zone
prepares an hour late
Top of page
5.5 This player has developed power and or consistency as a major weapon.
This player can vary strategies and styles of play in a competitive
situation and hits dependable shots in a stress situation.
This player:
has one or two shots that provides dividends against almost any player
has one or two strategies that works against almost any player
wins more than he loses
prepares a minute late
Top of page
6.0 This player will generally not need NTRP ratings. Rankings or past
rankings will speak for themselves. The 6.0 player typically has had
intensive training for national tournament competition at the junior
level and collegiate levels and has obtained a sectional and or
national ranking
This player:
can and has played some satellite events
can be a good competing teaching head pro
prepares right on time
6.5 This player has a reasonable chance of succeeding at the professional
7.0 level and has a reasonable satellite tournament experience.
This player:
has won on the satellite tour
can compete with world class players
prepares and sets up a minute early
Top of page
7.0 This player is a world class player who is committed to tournament
competition on the international level and whose major source of
income is tournament prize winnings
This player:
can be as high as number 50 in the world
prepares and sets up an hour early
Top of page
Top 20 player:
prepares and sets up a day early
Top 10 player:
prepares and sets up a week early
Top 5 player:
prepares and sets up to hit a month early
Number one in the world:
prepares and sets up a year early
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