Have you ever wondered, “What is my tennis rating?” Knowing how good of a tennis player you are can help you decide how to improve your game and find suitable players and matches. Keeping track of how your player rating improves will help you choose the right techniques and skills to focus on. Ready to take our Tennis Rating Quiz? Let’s get started!
Why you should know your Tennis Rating and Score
Knowing where you likely fall on the various tennis rating models such as the National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) will also help you choose the right tennis partners and help you pick the right tennis coach.
As a a tennis player you naturally want to improve your skills to win more matches. As you progress, you may realize that in order to improve you should play with other tennis players who are at least at the skill level you are, and ideally better. By challenging yourself with better players you can learn new techniques and push yourself to improve your game.
Disclaimer: Rating categories are generalizations about skill levels. You may find that you actually play above or below the category that best describes your skill level, depending on your competitive ability. The category you choose may change as your skills improve or as your match play demonstrates the need for reclassification. Your “official” NTRP rating is based upon match results. This quiz is intended to simply give you a better understanding of where you may fall on these standard rating scales.
Which Tennis Rating Level are you?
Are you a beginner tennis player? You are most likely a 1.0 – 1.5 tennis player. This means you are just learning to play and have some basic skills. You are working on getting the ball into play consistently, and are learning the terms associated with the game and how to score. When looking for tennis partners, find players at your level or a 2 – 2.5 to help you get better, but not get bored with your skill level. A great Tennis coach near you would be very beneficial at this stage. Your best bet is to play, play, play to work on your consistency.
Are you slightly better than a beginner tennis player? You are most likely a 2.0 – 2.5 tennis player. You have been playing for a while now, and you can hit fairly consistently and your serve is getting better although you lack control a lot of the time, resulting in inconsistencies. You understand the rules and scoring. You can benefit from more on-court experience to keep your skills going, and you can judge where the ball is going to go from your opponent. Your returns are inconsistent a lot, and you may be reluctant to come to the net. You may be avoiding backhand strokes, but you are consistent when returning towards the middle of the court. In your serves, you may have full motion, and get a great shot in about half the time. Keep upgrading your skills with slow rallys with players at your same level, and seek out some 3.0 players near you as well to help you grow without having your opponents get frustrated with you. A good tennis coach at your level is a great step to take at this stage.
Are you past the beginner level, headed towards intermediate level tennis? You are most likely a 3.0 – 3.5 tennis player. You have probably been playing for a few years now, and your play is solid. You can consistently hit medium pace shots, and can rally 10 in a row fairly consistently but struggle with depth, stroke techniques such as spins, and need work on power. Your net play is becoming aggressive, and you are semi-good at doubles play and predicting basic shots. You can control the direction of the ball pretty well, and you can vary your speed and direction on your first serve. You may even be able to move your opponent around the court with your shots! Finding a great tennis coach that can take your solid skills to the next level would be a great next step for you. Consider joining a tennis league and finding players near you that play at your level, or even at a 4.0 to challenge you.
Are you an intermediate level tennis player? You are most likely a 4.0 player. You are comfortable following an approach shot to the net, even though you have difficulty returning spin and fast serves. Your strokes are predictable and dependable, and have directional intent during both singles and doubles play. You understand and implement techniques such as lobs, overheads, and footwork. You know how to force errors in your opponent and work well with your partner in a doubles match. Your serve is consistent on the first serve, and you can be erratic when attempting quality shots and receiving wide balls. Finding a great tennis coach that can take your solid skills to the next level would be a great next step for you. Consider joining a tennis league and finding players near you that play at your level, or even at a 4.5 to challenge you.
Are you an advanced intermediate tennis player? You are most likely a 4.5 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. Finding a great tennis coach that can take your solid skills to the next level would be a great next step for you. Consider joining a tennis league and finding players near you that play at your level, or even at a 5.0 to challenge you.
Are you an advanced tennis player? Congratulations – If this sounds like you are a most likely a solid 5.0-5.5 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. You have been playing long enough to know your strengths and weaknesses, and you can spot them in your opponent after a set or two and adjust your play to combat them. You understand what you need to do to take your skills to the pro level, although connecting with a pro level coach could help get you there. Between your powerful strokes, smashes, deep lobs, on-point power serves and forced errors you are great at most levels of play. At this level, you may find that you need work in more stressful matches and controlling your power. So what’s next for you? At a level 6.0 or higher, you will not need a NTSA rating – your rating is determined by match play. Go get ‘em tiger!
General Characteristics of the Different Tennis Rating Player Levels (NRTP & USTA Guidelines)
1.5
This player has limited experience and is still working primarily on getting the ball into play.
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.
2.5
This player is learning to judge where the ball is going although court coverage is weak. Can sustain a short rally of slow pace with other players of the same ability.
3.0
This player is fairly consistent when hitting medium paced shots, but is not comfortable with all strokes and lacks execution when trying for directional control, depth, or power. Most common doubles formation is one-up, one-back.
3.5
This player has achieved improved stroke dependability with directional control 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.
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 use lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys with some success. This player occasionally forces errors when serving. Rallies may be lost due to impatience. Teamwork in doubles is evident.
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 game plan according to opponents. This player can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve. This player tends to over hit on difficult shots. Aggressive net play is common in doubles.
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 off of short balls and can put away volleys, can successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys, overhead smashes, and has good depth and spin on most 2nd serves.
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.
6.0 to 7.0
The 6.0-player typically has had intensive training for national tournament competition at the junior and collegiate levels and has obtained a sectional and/or national ranking. The 7.0-player is a world class player.
For more info about how the NTRP and USTA rating scales work, here are some resources for you. We hope you enjoyed this primer on the rating systems and scores!
This was a very interesting and informative article.
I am currently a 3.5C and am taking lessons relatively often in order to develop my tennis skills to the 4.0 level. I noticed in this article and in other ones that I read in the tennis literature that the receiver of the tennis ball right after it is hit back by the opponent has to make an almost instantaneous and correct decision concerning when, where to, and how fast to hit the return shot. This is almost, if not completely, learned to the instinctive level. Thanks again for a great article. I appreciate that.
Best,
Jim Durante
Thanks for the feedback Jim!