LTA - Improvements to the ratings system

Improvements to the Ratings System

Over the past four years there have been some significant developments to the competitive structure in Great Britain which have supported growth in the number of juniors competing regularly from fewer than 9,000 to over 55,000.

Many of these improvements were identified by listening to parents, players, coaches, organisers and officials involved in the sport. These changes include:

the introduction of mini tennis competition and ratings
online tournament entry and payment
interactive online results service
improved training for more competition organisers and referees
competition age group changes

All these changes have been positively received by tennis people, particularly the very recent competition age groups changes.

Following feedback from tennis people the next area of competition highlighted for change was the Rating System so that it could provide more players with the opportunity to develop and improve their level and enter and play in the right competitions for their standard.

The changes to the system are to be made in a number of stages over the next couple of years starting with addressing the balance between wins and losses to better reward ‘winning’ and provide more opportunities for players to progress their level.

STAGE 1 – APRIL 2011

The changes to the system are to be made in a number of stages over the next couple of years starting with addressing the balance between wins and losses to better reward ‘winning’ and provide more opportunities for players to progress their level.

Old Ratings Criteria (prior to 01/04/2011)

A junior player needed to achieve 4 wins to move from a 10.2 to a 10.1 and from a 10.1 to a 9.2 . As soon as a player got 4 wins their rating increased to the next level
From 9.2 upwards a junior player needed 7 qualifying wins (an adult 3) and a 60% qualifying win to qualifying loss ratio to increase to the next level – these criteria needed to be met within a ratings run period
A qualifying win was defined as a win against a player rated the same or higher than you and a qualifying loss was defined as a loss against a player rated the same or lower than you

Ratings Criteria

Players rated 10.2, 10.1, 9.2 or 9.1 can improve their ratings by recording qualifying wins as follows:

4 qualifying wins (singles matches) to move from a 10.2 to 10.1
A further 4 qualifying wins (singles matches) to move from a 10.1 to 9.2
A further 4 qualifying wins (singles matches) to move from a 9.2 to 9.1
A further 4 qualifying wins (singles matches) to move from a 9.1 to 8.2

These wins can be achieved at any time ie, not restricted to a ratings run period. Ratings will automatically change once the correct number of wins has been recorded. The (overnight) calculation takes into account players' ratings as they stand at the time the calculation is made.

From 8.2 upwards a junior player needs 6 qualifying wins and a 60% qualifying win to qualifying loss ratio to increase to the next level – these criteria need to be met within a ratings run period.
From 8.2 upwards an adult player needs 3 qualifying wins and a 60% qualifying win to qualifying loss ratio to increase to the next level - these criteria need to be met within a ratings run period.
A qualifying win is still defined as a win against a player rated the same or higher than you, however a qualifying loss is now a loss against only players rated lower than you.

The new system means that significantly more players, particularly at the lower end of the ratings scale, will have a better chance of improving their rating and developing their game.

The summer 2011 mid-season ratings run will be the first time the improvements will impact on players rated 8.2 and above. Players rated 10.2 to 9.1 benefit from the changes immediately since they can start to record the 4 qualifying wins needed to move up a level.

Check out the win/loss calculator from April 2011

STAGE 2 – SEPTEMBER 2011

Following feedback from tennis people over recent months and a detailed analysis of the current Mini Tennis Rating system, we have decided upon a number of improvements which will be introduced from 1st September 2011.

With overall feedback regarding the Mini Tennis Rating system being positive since its launch in 2007 and the system well embedded within British tennis, only a few changes are needed. The objectives of the improvements are below:

To simplify the system for parents, players and coaches
To better incentivise players at the top end of the system - too many players achieve the Level 1 rating in a short amount of time and have no further rating goal
To simplify the transition from green to yellow balls competitions and the allocation of ratings

Changes to the Mini Tennis Rating System from September 2011

Following a detailed review of the current system, which has included running detailed scenarios to monitor the potential effects of changes, the following improvements will be introduced on the 1st September 2011.

RED

A player will need to play in a further 20 matches (currently 30) to move from a Red 3 to a Red 2 rating.

ORANGE

A player will need to play in a further 40 matches (currently 30) with 20 qualifying wins (currently 15) to move from an Orange 2 to an Orange 1 rating.
The introduction of an Orange 1* rating if an Orange 1 rated player achieves a further 20 qualifying wins in Grade 1 to Grade 3 competitions.
An Orange 1* rated player will move to a Green 1 rating when they become a Green Ball player

GREEN

A player will need to play in a further 40 matches (currently 30) with 20 qualifying wins (currently 15) to move from a Green 2 to a Green 1 rating.
The introduction of a Green 1* rating if a Green 1 rated player achieves a further 20 qualifying wins in Grade 1 to Grade 3 competitions.
A Green 1* rated player will move to a 9.1 rating when they become a Yellow Ball player. A Green 1 rated player will still move to a 9.2 rating.

If you have questions about the Mini Tennis Ratings system they may be answered in the Mini Tennis Ratings FAQ document.

British Tennis - Lawn Tennis Association