JUNIOR PATHWAY GUIDELINES
USTA JUNIOR TOURNAMENTS PATHWAY GUIDELINES
We are in Year 3 of the USTA's simplified nationwide structure. This new standardized system creates greater consistency for our players, parents, coaches, tournament directors and officials.
If you are new to competitive tennis, or returning to it after the Pandemic, please watch the video below to understand the changes.
-
The new structure will utilize seven levels of events for ages 11-18, ranging from Level 7 (New Tournament participants) to Level 1 (National Championships) and one national ranking system that will distribute points consistently across the country.
-
This nationwide system will provide consistent tournament levels and standardized tournament operations for all events—regardless of location—replacing the previous system that was greatly dependent upon the region and produced inconsistent rankings from state to section to national.
-
The new system will allow players to more easily compete across sections, as the levels will be standardized with an increased number of open events, providing even more playing opportunities for junior players.
-
There are non-ranking events that focus on Level-based play using the Junior Circuit and the World Tennis Number (WTN), which will focus on age-appropriate competition, development, and fun.
-
10-under players follow an earned advancement Pathway in Junior Circuit events moving from Red Ball to Orange Ball to Green Ball based on Professional assessment (Orange Ball) and wins (Green Ball).
-
Increased emphasis on 2-player to 6-player Team events that promote camaraderie and sportsmanship for the players.
Learn about Level 7 Tournaments
Why these changes are occurring (PDF)
Comparing the Ranked Event Levels
Click Here to Watch a Webinar Recording about the 2021 changes
For questions, please contact JuniorTournaments@usta.com
2023: Upgrade of the World Tennis Number (WTN) Algorithm and Team Events
The USTA is partnering with the International Tennis Federation and over 140 countries to create a truly innovative and universal tennis Rating system. The WTN will support all levels of competitive play and bring a dynamic feature, The Game Zone, to players looking for evenly matched competition.
NOTIFICATION OF ENHANCEMENT TO THE ITF WORLD TENNIS NUMBER ALGORITHM CALCULATION
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) makes important updates to the World Tennis Number calculation, to help ensure that player ratings continue to be as accurate as possible. These enhancements may see a player’s number move in either direction.
The ITF World Tennis Number's weekly calculation is now powered by data from 150 nations, sharing millions of match records from around the world.
The calculation is continuously monitored and tested by the ITF. When necessary, the ITF will responsively and transparently adjust the calculation to ensure it remains accurate.
What are the changes?
These enhancements to the ITF WTN algorithm will reposition cohorts of players on the current scale of 40-1 and ensure that players from all over the world are more accurately aligned, particularly with regard to different age groups. While ratings are likely to be adjusted, players will likely see movement relative to their age group.
The principles behind the ITF World Tennis Number calculation and the most Frequently Asked Questions about the change can be found below.
THE PRINCIPLES OF THE ITF WORLD TENNIS NUMBER ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO PLAYERS AS TO HOW THEIR ITF WORLD TENNIS NUMBER MAY CHANGE, WHAT MAY IMPACT THEIR NUMBER AND HOW THEY CAN USE THIS TO SUPPORT THEIR DEVELOPMENT AND
ENJOYMENT.
Algorithm
The ITF World Tennis Number is based upon an objective mathematical calculation.
The more match results available to the system, the more accurate the number and therefore, greater ‘confidence’ in the WTN.
Calculation
The ITF World Tennis Number algorithm uses all the match result data shared with the ITF from a player’s history, dating back to 2016, to calculate an ITF World Tennis Number. When a player or partnership compete, the algorithm analyzes pre-match ratings for all the players on the court. From there, the algorithm predicts an expected outcome for the match based on the relative ratings of each player.
Prior to each match, the algorithm predicts the outcome of the match. A player’s number will change based on the difference between expected results and the actual match outcome. A player may see little to no improvement based on one result if the algorithm predicts the actual outcome. The more match results the system holds, the more accurate a player’s rating becomes. Using the number of matches a player has, along with some other pieces of data, a player’s rating may become “verified”
with a blue tick indicating that the system has enough information to confidently generate an accurate ITF World Tennis Number rating.
ITF World Tennis Number also analyzes matches at the set level, meaning the algorithm considers each individual set as its own result. Simply, if a match ends 2 sets to 1 in your favor, then the system will update your number with two set ‘wins’ and one set ‘loss’. Even if you don’t win the overall match, the sets you have won will be considered accordingly in the ITF World Tennis Number calculation.
Scale
The ITF World Tennis Number is one scale from 40 (lowest) to 1 (highest). All players appear on one scale from the very best professionals on the tour to a complete beginner playing their first match. Regardless of a player’s age or gender, two players with a similar ITF World Tennis Number should have a competitive match.
Game Zone
A player’s Game Zone is an indicator of a range in which a player can be expected to have a competitive match against.
Singles & Doubles
Players will receive a separate singles and doubles number.
Dynamic System
A dynamic system that will update weekly on a Wednesday taking into account all results up to, and including, the previous Sunday.
Global Results
Any match result that is collected from an ITF World Tennis Number supporting nation will be used in the World Tennis Number algorithm. Results from international competitions will also be used.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: I am an adult player, what is the effect on my current ITF World Tennis Number?
Adult players aged between 19-29 should expect only minor changes to their ITF World Tennis Number. Larger changes begin to occur for players over 30 years old that regularly play against players of a similar age. Adult players over 30 will see their numbers move down the scale (towards 40), this is to create some balance with Junior players and to ensure full use of the 1-40 scale.
Q: I am a Junior Player, what is the effect on my current ITF World Tennis Number?
Junior players aged 10 and under will most likely experience a movement down the scale, (towards 40) with players who are aged 17 and 18 moving up the scale (towards 1). The player ratings are now more of an accurate reflection of age, with a general incremental increase expected from aged 10 upwards.
Q: Does this affect Doubles ITF World Tennis Numbers?
Yes, the same principles apply.
Q: Why is the ITF making these changes?
The effect of the modifications will be to position players on the scale to ensure that player populations all over the world are more accurately aligned, particularly with regard to age. This will increase the accuracy and fairness when ITF World Tennis Number is used in competitive events.
Q: When will the changes take place?
The scheduled rating run on July 26, 2023, will use the improved calculation which will be backdated to include all the results in the system.
Q: Does this mean my previous ITF World Tennis Number was wrong?
Your ITF World Tennis Number previously was accurate within your network of players and will remain so with the changes. What will change is your number relative to players outside your network. The ITF World Tennis Number is designed to accurately reflect the ability of all players, and these changes will ensure players can always find a competitive match regardless of factors such as age.
Q: Will these algorithm changes become a frequent occurrence?
As the ITF continues to receive data, the algorithm will inevitably have to be tweaked to help ensure it consistently delivers the fairest ratings possible for players. We will, however, always inform players of any major changes