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From 1st April 2011, the following important changes will be made to the LTA ratings system for JUNIOR players:
For junior players rated 10.2, 10.1, 9.2 and 9.1 - in order to increase to the next rating just four qualifying wins are needed. There is no need to wait until the end of a ratings period (or a mid-term review); your rating will increase automatically once four qualifying wins have been recorded by the LTA. In the TennisUK matchplays.com programme we now submit all results on the Monday after the event, which means that your rating can change in time for events the following weekend.
For players rated 8.2 and higher, it will now be easier to go up a rating. The number of wins needed to increase has been reduced from 7 to 6. Players will still need a qualifying win/loss ratio of 60% (or better) within a ratings period (or a mid term review period) in order to go up.
The LTA will no longer count a loss against an opponent of the same rating as a qualifying loss; in other words, if you lose to someone of the same rating, it will not adversely affect your win/loss ratio. In the TennisUK matchplays.com programme as players are grouped with others of similar rating (and very often the SAME rating), these events should now become more appealing to junior players at all levels.
For more information on the changes and more details on the LTA rating system, please visit the "Players and Parents" section of the LTA website and click on AEGON British Tennis Ratings.
These changes should make grade 4 tournaments more popular for juniors. Many junior players avoid grade 4 competitions in favour of grade 3 events which offer more ranking points. Do remember that acceptances for tournaments are made according to rating first (and then ranking). Therefore grade 4 competitions should now provide a more worthwhile tennis experience for players rating 10.2 to 9.1, as there is now a greater chance to earn valuable qualifying wins from such events. There is also less likelihood of meeting top county and national standard players in early rounds at grade 4 competitions, as these players tend to favour grade 1, 2 and 3 tournaments.
David Fuchs
Tennis Services UK Limited
27th March 2011 |