The brand new ITF World Tennis Number player rating system is launching in 2020 and will replace the current LTA Rating System.
The World Tennis Number will provide a more accurate measure of ability than the current system, and will record sets won as well as match wins. It will also be updated more frequently, be easy to understand, and support all players from grassroots to national level in finding appropriate matches. For the first time ever, the introduction of the World Tennis Number will mean that players can have a doubles rating as well as a singles one.
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.
The World Tennis Number has been developed in partnership by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the LTA, United States Tennis Association (USTA) and Federation of French Tennis (FFT), with input from some of the world’s leading statisticians.
The new system has several advantages including:
- A new doubles measure as well as a singles number. This will be the first time the LTA has ever had a doubles measure.
- A more accurate system based on a mathematical calculation to reflect the playing standard of each player irrespective of where they play and which competitions they play in
- A dynamic system which will change on a regular basis to give a ‘real time’ playing standard of each player and allow players to better track their progress
- A system which is gender and age neutral and rates all players on the same scale
- A system which reflects matches played at home and abroad.
Further details about the new system, including conformation of its launch date in 2020, will be available later this year.