The LTA’s vision is to open up tennis to many more people, and providing opportunities for appropriate and enjoyable competition plays a key role in that. Doing so is central to retaining players of all ages and abilities in tennis, as well as supporting players on the Performance Pathway to develop their game and progress.
As part of our work to grow the sport, the LTA will be implementing a series of improvements over the next five years aimed at making competitions more relevant, accessible, welcoming and enjoyable for all players.
The improvements are part of a new strategy has been informed by an extensive review of the competitive landscape in Britain, as well as analysing what works for other federations and sports. The review included consultation with players, coaches, officials and parents, with the plans receiving strong support.
During 2019 and 2020 we will be implementing a number of key improvements relating to areas highlighted as top priorities from the consultation. These are:
- Adoption of the new ‘World Tennis Number’ player rating system
- Simpler ‘calendar year’ based system for Competition Age Group categorisation, supported by a new look and aligned national competition calendar
- The introduction of more team competition opportunities, through a new LTA National League team competition for tennis venues in Winter to complement the current successful summer one.
The LTA are excited to introduce these important changes to enhance the tennis experience for all. For questions/clarifications not answered by the FAQs provided in the LTA Help Centre please contact the Services Team.
For further details on the ITF World Tennis Number, competition age grop changes and LTA National League - Winter please see below.
ITF World Tennis Number
ITF World Tennis Number
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The brand new World Tennis Number player rating system is launching in 2020 and will replace the current LTA Rating System.
The new system has been developed as one of a number of priority improvements to competitions being implemented by the LTA during 2019 and 2020 as part of our desire to make competitions more relevant, accessible, welcoming and enjoyable for all players.
Find out more about the new World Tennis Number player rating system
Competition Age group changes
Competition Age group changes
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From 1 April 2020, competition age groups for junior players will be calculated based on a calendar year e.g. a player’s age on 31 December. These changes come following an extensive review of the competitive landscape and review of our systems. We understand that players, parents, coaches and officials want a system which is straightforward, easy to explain and simple to calculate.
The new competition age group system offers the following benefits:
- It is easier to explain and simpler to calculate than the current age group system
- It enables a meaningful performance player pathway by aligning to the same age group system
- It offers greater flexibility at mini tennis
There will also be an introduction of an 11U age group at all levels of competition to support players with their transition from Green to Yellow ball.
The age group changes will coincide with the launch of a new National Competition Calendar, including an revitalised Junior National Championships which will have a new position in the calendar.
Read more about the competition age group changes
LTA National League - Winter
LTA National League - Winter
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In the Autumn, we will be introducing a new LTA National League team competition for clubs and tennis venues in Winter, to provide more opportunities for players to have fun competing as part of a team.
The new winter league will complement the current successful summer league which sees over 1,100 venues and 26,000 players take part across the country. It will provide a link from Team Challenge competitions at a recreational level to County and regional level competition, ensuring players of all ages and abilities now have fun, local team competition opportunities all year round.
Team competition is important particularly for younger players and sees higher participation levels for girls compared with individual competition. The new league, which will bring together and build on the current mixed provision of team tennis competition in winter, will start from September 2019 and provide players of all ages from 8U – 18U with regular league matches, against similar standard players throughout the winter months .
The creation of the new Winter league is one of a number of priority improvements to competitions being implemented by the LTA during 2019 and 2020 as part of our desire to make competitions more relevant, accessible, welcoming and enjoyable for all players. It follows and extensive review and consultation with players, coaches, parents and officials, with the introduction of more opportunities to compete as a team identified as a priority area to improve.
Visit our National League - Winter webpage and our FAQs regarding the new winter competition for further information.