LTA & ITF World Tennis Number: What You NEED To Know
As a tennis parent, coach and player, I’m really excited about the launch of the ITF World Tennis Number so I thought I’d put this page together on what it aims to do to, what it is and where you can find out more information.
In short, the ITF World Tennis Number is a rating system that will be used by players around the World from the UK to France, America and Australia. It’s aim is to make it easier for tennis players to match up against players who are at a similar level to them.
From beginners to professionals, all players who are 10 years old or above can get a World Tennis Number for free.
The World Tennis Number you get will be based on algorithm that will take your results into account. Not just wins but also defeats. I like this part as say you lose a close fought match to a quality player, then surely you deserve some recognition for that? With World Tennis Number you will!
The LTA website as a useful summary of what the World Tennis Number features:
A world-wide rating system that ranges from 40 (recreational players) to 1 (pro players).
Separate ratings for singles and doubles players – a world first
An algorithm that produces your own rating.
An algorithm that counts sets, and matches, played which means the more you compete, the more accurate your rating will be
A personalised digital ‘Game zONe’ feature, which will help you identify opponents with a similar rating online
Whilst the ITF website has a good description of how the World Tennis Number algorithm works:
Our algorithm uses up to 4 years of match result data to calculate your ITF World Tennis Number. When you compete, we analyze your pre-match rating and your opponent’s. Our algorithm then predicts what it thinks the outcome of your match will be. Your Number changes depending on your score and how it compares to our prediction
The more of your match results the system holds, the better our algorithm will understand your ability, and therefore, its “confidence” in your Number.
Match results are analysed at set level, meaning our algorithm takes into account each individual set as its own result. Simply, if your match ends 2 sets to 1 in your favour, then the system will update your Number with two set ‘wins’ and one set ‘loss’. Even if you don’t win the overall match any sets you have won will count towards your Number.
I’m very much looking forward to the launch of the World Tennis Number and I will keep this page up to date with the latest news and observations on it.
For more information on the World Tennis Number, please visit:
