How the RacketUp tennis rating works
Every match you play on RacketUp updates your rating. It uses the NTRP scale that tennis players already know: from 1.0 for a new player to 7.0 for a pro. It is free.
See your ratingThe short version
- You pick your starting level when you sign up (2.5 if you are not sure).
- Every match in a RacketUp tournament or league updates your rating.
- A match counts only when both players have a RacketUp account.
- Singles and doubles have separate ratings.
- Your first 10 matches move the rating fast, to find your real level. After that it moves in small steps.
Your first 10 matches
While you have fewer than 10 rated matches, your rating is provisional, and the app shows it faded. In this phase the score matters, not only who won. RacketUp looks at the share of games you won and works out how far apart the two players are.
| Score (for the winner) | Level gap the score shows |
|---|---|
| 6:4 6:4 | about 0.16 |
| 6:3 6:3 | about 0.27 |
| 6:2 6:2 | about 0.41 |
| 6:1 6:1 | about 0.64 |
| 6:0 6:0 | 0.9 (the maximum) |
- Your rating moves toward the level you showed in the match. The first match moves it most, each next match a bit less.
- A big mistake is fixed quickly. If you picked 4.5 but play like 3.0, a few matches will bring you down.
- Small differences move it slowly, so one bad day does not ruin your rating.
- A win does not lower your rating, unless you are rated far above how you played.
- If your opponent is also new, the match counts half as much.
- In doubles a match counts a bit less (75%), because one result says less about one player.
- A match tiebreak (like 10:8) counts as one game.
After 10 matches
After 10 rated matches your rating is confirmed. From then on it works like the Elo system used in chess: only the result counts, and the change depends on who you played.
- Beat a stronger player: you gain more.
- Beat a weaker player: you gain a little.
- Lose to a weaker player: you lose more.
- One match moves a confirmed rating by about 0.03 at most, so your level changes only after many results.
What the NTRP levels mean
| Level | What it looks like on court |
|---|---|
| 1.5 | You are just starting and learning to get the ball over the net. |
| 2.0 | You hit forehands and backhands but miss often. You know the basic rules. |
| 2.5 | You can keep a slow rally going with a player at your level. Your serve goes in more often. |
| 3.0 | You control medium-pace shots, but lose control when you go for power or direction. |
| 3.5 | You direct the ball and keep rallies going. You come to the net and play doubles as a team. |
| 4.0 | Your shots are reliable. You use spin, place the ball and plan your points. |
| 4.5 | You use power and spin well, handle fast balls, and your serve is a weapon. |
| 5.0 | You hit winners, change your game plan and play at club-tournament level. |
| 5.5 | You play competitive tournaments, often at college or national level. |
| 6.0–7.0 | Nationally ranked players and professionals. |
Ratings near you
Town pages show the top rated players:
Questions about the rating
Is this the official USTA NTRP rating?
No. RacketUp uses the same NTRP scale so the numbers feel familiar, but the rating is calculated from matches played on RacketUp. RacketUp is not linked to the USTA.
Why did my rating not change after a match?
Most often your opponent does not have a RacketUp account. A match counts only when both players are registered.
Can I change my starting rating?
You set it when you sign up and can adjust it once. After that, only match results move it.
Why is my rating shown faded?
It is still provisional: you have fewer than 10 rated matches. It becomes confirmed after your 10th.
Do singles and doubles share one rating?
No. You have a singles rating and a doubles rating, and each one moves only with its own matches.
How much does it cost?
Nothing. The rating is free for every player.
