Self-Ranking Your Tennis Skills
There are many variations on rating your own level of play, though they agree on the major terms. Here you will find the sponsored list from Tennis Montreal. Included below is a variation from the US Tennis Association called the NTRP.
| RATING | GROUND-STROKES |
RETURN OF SERVE | NET PLAY |
SERVE |
| 1.0 | This player is just starting to play tennis | |||
| 1.5 | This player has been introduced to the game, however has difficulty playing the game due to a lack of consistency rallying and serving. | |||
| 2.0 | Can get the ball in play but lacks control, resulting in inconsistent rallies. Often chooses to hit forehands instead of backhands. | Tends to position in a manner to protect weaknesses. Inconsistent return. | In singles, reluctant to come to the net. In doubles, understands the basic positioning; comfortable only with the forehand volley; avoids backhand volley and overhead. | Incomplete service motion. Toss is inconsistent. Double faults are common. |
| 2.5 | Can rally consistently 10 balls in a row, especially on the forehand, with an arched trajectory over the net when the objective is to hit to a partner at moderate speed. | In singles, consistent when returning towards the middle of the court. In doubles, difficulty returning cross-court to start the point. | Becoming at ease at the net in practice but uncomfortable in a game situation. | Attempting a full service motion on the first serve. First serve is inconsistent (less than 50%). Uses an incomplete motion to ensure a steady second serve. |
| 3.0 | Able to rally consistently 10 balls in a row on forehands and backhands. Able to maintain the rally when receiving high, short or wide balls, assuming the ball is received at a moderate pace, especially on the forehand stroke. | Can control the direction of the ball in both singles and doubles, when receiving a serve of moderate pace. | Very consistent on forehand volley with easy balls, inconsistent on backhand volley. Overall has difficulty with low and wide balls. Can smash easy lobs. | Full motion on both serves. Able to achieve more than 50% success on first serve. Second serve much slower than first serve. |
| 3.5 | Able to move the opponent around the court or hit harder when receiving easier balls. Can execute approach shots with some consistency (more than 50%). | Can return fast serves or well-placed serves with defensive actions. On easy second serve, can return with pace or directional control; can approach the net in doubles. | Becoming confident at net play; can direct FH volleys; controls BH volley but with little offense; general difficulty in putting volleys away. Can handle volleys and overheads that require moderate movement. | Can vary the speed or direction of first serve. Can direct the second serve to the opponent’s weakness without double-faulting on a regular basis. |
| 4.0 | Able to develop points with some consistency by using a reliable combination of shots. Erratic when attempting a quality shot, when receiving fast or wide balls, and when attempting passing shots. | Difficulty in returning spin serves and very fast serves. On moderately paced serves, can construct the point through hitting a good shot or exploiting an opponent’s weakness. In doubles, can vary returns effectively on moderately-paced serves. | In singles, comfortable at following an approach shot to the net. In doubles, comfortable receiving a variety of balls and converting on offensive positioning; can poach on weak returns of serve. Able to put away easy overheads. | Can vary the speed and direction of the first serve. Uses spin. |
| 4.5 | Can use a variety of spins. Beginning to develop a dominant shot or good steadiness. Erratic when attempting a quality shot in two of the following situations: receiving fast balls, wide balls, and in passing shot situations. | Off first serves, can defend consistently but very inconsistent (less then 30%) when attempting an aggressive return. In doubles, has difficulty (less than 50%) returning a first serve at the feet of the incoming serve and volleyer. | When coming to the net after serving, consistently able to put the first volley in play but without pace or depth; however, inconsistent when trying to volley powerful or angled returns. Close to the net, can finish a point using various options including drop volley, angle volley, punch volley. | Aggressive first serve with power and spin. On second serve frequently hits with good depth and placement without double faults. Can serve and volley off first serves in doubles, but experiences some inconsistency. |
| 5.0 | Able to maintain a consistent rally, 10 balls in a row on faster balls. Very steady strokes or has a dominant shot. Periodically succeeds (50%) when attempting a quality shot when receiving fast or wide balls, and in passing shot situations. | Periodically succeeds (50%) at aggressive return off fast first serves using dominant shot (forehand or backhand). In doubles can return at the feet of serve and volleyer. | In doubles, after the serve, has a good, deep crosscourt volley. Overhead can be hit from almost any position. | First serve can win points outright, or force a weak return. Second serve can prevent the opponent from attacking. Serve and volleys on first serves in doubles with consistency. |
NTRP Version
1.0: This player is just starting to play tennis.
1.5: Has limited experience and is still working primarily on getting the ball into play.
2.0: Needs on-court experience. Has obvious stroke weaknesses but is familiar with basic positions for singles and doubles play.
2.5 Learning to judge where the ball is going although court coverage is weak. Can sustain a short rally of slow pace with other players of the same ability.
3.0: Fairly consistent when hitting medium-paced shots, but is not comfortable with all strokes and lacks execution when trying for directional control, depth or power. Most common doubles formation is one-up and one-back.
3.5: Has achieved improved stroke dependability with directional control on moderate shots, but still lacks depth and variety. Starting to exhibit more aggressive net play, has improved court coverage and is developing teamwork in doubles.
4.0: Has dependable strokes, including directional control and depth on both forehand and backhand sides on moderate shots, plus the ability to use lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys with some success. Occasionally forces errors when serving and teamwork in doubles is evident. Rallies may be lost due to impatience.
4.5: Starting to master the use of power and spins and beginning to handle pace, has sound footwork, can control depth of shots and is beginning to vary game plan according to opponents. Can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve. Tends to overhit on difficult shots. Aggressive net play is common in doubles.
5.0: Has good shot anticipation and frequently has an outstanding shot or exceptional consistency around which a game may be structured. Can regularly hit winners or force errors off of short balls and can put away volleys, can successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys and overhead smashes and has good depth and spin on most second serves.