UNDERSTANDING DYNAMIC NTRP
in the
USA LEAGUE TENNIS PROGRAM 2003

Dynamic NTRP stands for Dynamic National Tennis Rating Program.  A Dynamic Rating is a rating that is calculated after every match played.  The logic behind moving to a dynamic environment is that every match played during the local league season needs to be an active part of a player’s rating instead of waiting until the end of the year championships.

The Dynamic Rating Process in 2003

• Existing players begin the new season with their end-of-the year rating from the last season that they played.  Any computer rating generated from the league year of 2001 will be good for five years or until a new computer rating is generated.

• A new player will declare a self-rating when he/she registers for a team.  There will be a Self-Declaration Box on the registration form.  (See self-rating paragraph below.)

• An existing player generates a dynamic rating as soon as they play their first match and generates a new rating after every match played.

• A new player generates his/her first dynamic rating after he/she plays against an existing player and then generates a new rating after each additional match.

Determining a Dynamic Rating

Let’s use the example of a player whose end-of-year rating was a 3.8.

• First match rating is a 4.0.  Average of the 3.8 and the 4.0 is a 3.9 dynamic rating.
• Second match rating is 4.2.  Average of 3.8, 4.0 & 4.2 is a 4.0 dynamic rating.
• Third match rating is 3.8.  Average of 3.8, 4.0, 4.2 & 3.8 is a 3.95 dynamic rating.
• From that point on the rating from the most current match and the last three dynamic ratings are averaged to determine the new dynamic rating.

Can a player be disqualified by the Dynamic NTRP system?

• All players are subject to disqualification under Dynamic NTRP through the USA League Tennis Program Sectional Championships.  If a player’s dynamic rating hits the disqualification level any three times from the beginning local league season through the sectional championship, that player will be disqualified from the current level of play.  Verifiers will no longer be involved in the rating process; the computer will generate all disqualifications.

• Players will be protected from disqualification after the sectional championships.

Is it true that players can now self-rate?

• New players to the league program will no longer have to attend a rating clinic to enter the USA League Tennis Program.  They will be able to declare a self-rating at the time of registration.  Players who have a valid computer rating will enter the league season with that rating. Any computer rating generated from the league year of 2001 will be good for five years or until a new computer rating is generated.  The USTA will have materials available to help players self-rate.  Players should also take advantage of their club pros to help with the process and compare themselves to other players who already have computer ratings.

• Players who self-rate properly will enhance the USA League Tennis Program.

What are the advantages of Dynamic NTRP over the old system?

• Players will no longer have to attend a rating clinic to enter the program.  This allows for ease of entry and reduces the expense to enter the USA League Tennis Program.

• Dynamic NTRP ratings give a better description of a player’s current level of play than visual verification.

• Benchmarks will reflect play at the local level more accurately than the current system.

• Ratings for players at championship events will be 50% dynamic and 50% championship benchmark.   Thus placing more value on the local league matches and eliminating the possibility for variance in final rating.

• End of the season ratings will be published earlier, allowing players in leagues starting early in the year to have more time to get on a team.

• Players who play in fall leagues can use their dynamic rating to enter the league.  This will give players more confidence that they are in the right level and there will be less movement when the final ratings come out in November.

• Ratings for all players will be calculated at the same time and same method, standardizing the ratings from section to section

• The new system will make it easier for sections to get rating information on players who have moved from one section to another.

There have been many changes in the USA League Tennis Program as it matured over the past 20 plus years.  Dynamic NTRP and the requirement that all USTA Sections use TennisLink is one of the most positive changes yet to insure that this program will survive for many years to come.