Universal Tennis features 16 levels of tennis and provides tennis players world wide a common language to determine their level of play. The 16 levels of tennis are based on actual match results without regard for age or gender using the competitive threshold to determine accurate ratings. In addition, Universal Tennis allows visitors to view thousands of tennis results, compare players, build a profile page, and communicate with their tennis buddies.

Junior players who wish to monitor their match play, level of development, and communicate    with their tennis buddies
Tennis professionals looking to organize their members for various tennis activities
Potential collegiate players who wish to communicate their level of play to collegiate coaches
U.S. collegiate coaches who need to verify the level of play of potential recruits along with    monitoring their current players’ results
U.S. collegiate coaches and tennis academies by providing a tool for grouping their respective    camps and player development programs
All players by providing an opportunity to arrange quality matches and monitor their tennis    development
All Tennis Federations and Tennis Associations by providing an Universal Tennis Rating System

A player who can win 1 game more than half the number of games it takes to win a match has reached the Universal Tennis Competitive Threshold.

A player who consistently meets the competitive threshold within a given level of play will receive a Universal Tennis Rating at that level. Universal Tennis takes into account a player’s last 10 matches provided they are not more than 1 year old. Players are compensated for all games won; however, a player will receive a maximum credit for three (3) levels of play. Players can receive a Universal Tennis rating with enough reliable results entered; however, the data is also run weekly to ensure accuracy.

Example 1: If a player is consistently getting 7 games in a two-out-of–three set match against other level 10 players then that player is a level 10.

Example 2: A level 8 player who defeats level 6 players 6-0, 6-0 would earn a rating no higher than level 9.

A player receives provisional ratings until enough reliable match results have been entered to earn an Universal Tennis rating.

What is the difference between a rating system and a ranking system?

A rating system is designed to determine a player’s level of play where a ranking system is designed to determine order of players.

What are the advantages of the Universal Tennis Rating System?

The Universal Tennis rating system provides an efficient tool for player development and provides the opportunity for all players world wide to gauge themselves.

What is the disadvantage of a ranking system?

Most coaches from all over the world agree that the curse for a junior player is to be ranked #1 in the 12 and under category along with other young age groups. A primary focus on a ranking tends to discourage player development. Often junior players who end up chasing points for rankings hamper their player development.

How do players improve their rating?

Players can improve their rating by getting to the competitive threshold against higher level players or by defeating same or lesser level players by a significant margin.

Why did a player's rating drop?

A player’s rating may drop if he or she is not reaching the competitive threshold against same level players or if he or she is not beating lesser level players by a significant margin.

How can one player defeat another player all the time when they both are rated the same level?

Just because two players are the same level, it does not mean one player can not be better than the other or dominate the other. Agassi and Sampras were the same level; however, Sampras won the majority of the matches against Agassi. Roger Federer’s results indicate that he is playing competitive matches a large percentage of the time; however, he wins most of his competitive matches. Players at the same level will often meet the competitive threshold and have good competitive matches against each other.

How does the Universal Tennis Rating System benefit organized play?

By grouping a tournament, round robin, or other methods of organized play by level of play, the Universal Rating System provides the opportunity for efficient player development and enjoyable matches. A player who participates in a tournament and wins the first round 6-1, 6-0 while losing the second round 6-1, 6-1 may not have an enjoyable experience. The lower the level, the more important it is to group players by level. Entry level players who lose their first 10 matches without meeting the competitive threshold could be discouraged from playing. Organized play can incorporate more than one level of play when utilizing higher levels of play. A tennis event utilizing the Universal Tennis Rating System to group players according to their level of play will usually meet the competitive threshold 50% of the time or more.