The purpose of this article is to provide the Tennis community information related to playing matches and the impact on ratings.
You can protect your rating by not playing…FALSE!
A UTR Rating is calculated on your 30 most recent matches in the last 12 months, meaning the algorithm uses 30 data points to create your rating. If you compete often, a couple losses to lower-rated players would only count for two out of those 30 data points.
Performing well in matches is the easiest way to improve your UTR Rating – you simply need to win more games than expected.
You have to play higher rated players to improve…FALSE!
The below graphic shows a player whose UTR Rating continued to improve last 49 matches since December, despite matches against lower rated opponents:
- 25 matches against lower rated opponents
- 20 matches against higher rated opponents
- 4 against the same level,
Losing to lower rated opponents impairs your rating…FALSE!
The occasional loss in the new competitive framework does not significantly impact your rating – there are not large variances with the use of ratings as opposed to the old ranking system.
It does not matter whether you play higher- or lower-rated opponents; you can improve your rating either way by simply committing to compete, play the opponent in front of you and ultimately winning more matches than losing.
You cannot improve your rating quickly…FALSE!
The below graphic shows a player whose UTR Rating improved markedly from their last 48 matches since December:
- 23 matches against lower rated opponents
- 25 matches against higher rated opponents
Playing opponents 2 rating bands above or below your own rating band do not count…FALSE!
Matches with a rating band greater than 2.0 can count towards a players rating if the lower rated player wins the match.
For example, if a 5.20 wins a match against a 7.61, this match will count.
However, if a 7.61 wins a match against a 5.20, this match will not count.
Therefore, there is nothing to be lost from a higher rated player competing from time to time against a player rated more than 2 rating points lower than yourself.
Player selections for the Tennis pathways are based purely on UTR Ratings…FALSE!
Selections for National teams, National Development Squads, National Tennis Academy and State teams are based on more than just your UTR Rating.
Recent performances, commitment to our values and potential are weighed against other factors and in exceptional circumstances, if a player is of outstanding values and seen to be very high potential based on the assessed factors, then the Selection Panel has absolute discretion to make an offer to a candidate who has not met the minimum Performance requirements.