The USTA’s National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) is the official system for determining the levels of competition for all players. At first, a player’s rating is a relatively simple self-assessment that later evolves into a dynamic number–updated after every officiated match–once a player engages in USTA competition, ranging from 2.5 for beginners up to 7.0 for professional players.

According to the USTA, “The primary goal of the NTRP is to help all tennis players enjoy the game by providing a method of classifying skill levels for more compatible matches, group lessons, league play, tournaments and other programs.”