Ever wondered where you stack up against other players from around the world? Now you can find out with the ITF World Tennis Number!
WHAT IS THE ITF WORLD TENNIS NUMBER (WTN)?
The WTN is a global rating scale that allows tennis players to find the right playing partner or program. It is a scale between 40 and 1, with 40 being a beginner player and 1 being an elite professional. This scale is for all players, regardless of age, gender, or ability. Players will have a separate WTN for both singles and doubles.
The WTN was developed by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in partnership with leading tennis federations from across the world. To date over 140 nations along with Tennis Canada have enrolled into the ITF WTN program. This includes Grand Slam nations like the USA, Britain, and France.
WHO WILL RECEIVE A WTN?
WTN is based on previous match data. Therefore, any Canadian tennis player with results in the Tennis Canada or the ITF system may receive a WTN. This includes players who have participated in sanctioned provincial and national competitions across all categories (Junior, OPEN, Adult and Senior) and players who have participated in ITF tournaments.
If you are interested in bringing WTN to your club or league, please contact tournaments@tenniscanada.com
WHERE CAN I FIND MY WTN?
This summer,competitors registered with their respective Provincial Tennis Association (PTA)will be able tofind their WTN for singles and doubles on their tournaments profile page viatheTournament Software website.
Later this year, registered Canadian competitors will also be able to find their WTN on the global WTN site which will be launched by the ITF. The global WTN site will include special features for tennis players.
WHEN will wtn be USED?
WTN will be used as acceptance criteria into ITF circuit events starting Spring 2022.
The WTN will also be provided as a resource to tournament directors across Canada to support the delivery of adult recreational tournaments and match play events.
WHY IS THE WTN IMPORTANT?
The WTN is a global initiative led by the ITF to bring the tennis community together. The WTN will allow tennis players across the globe to find the right person to play with and the right program to join. This enables level-based play to ensure everyone is enjoying the sport. The WTN initiative is a massive opportunity for tennis federations across the world to grow and unify tennis together
HOW IS THE WTN CALCULATED?
The WTN algorithm uses match results provided by national tennis federations to calculate ratings for players. For Canadian players, Tennis Canada has submitted results from January 2016 to date to help develop and initialize the WTN algorithm. Some key principles of the WTN algorithm include:
- Current match results carry more weight than older results. Overtime, a result carries less and less weight.
- Sanctioned competition results carry more weight than club/recreational results.
- Match results are analyzed at the set level; the algorithm takes into account each individual set as its own result.
- Pre-match ratings of both players are used by the algorithm to project the outcome of the match. A player’s WTN changes depending on the match score and how it compared to the projection.
WTN as a Rating System
What is the difference between a ranking and rating?
Your ranking is based on the results that you achieve in tournaments within a given time frame (typically a rolling 52-week period). The focus is on how far you go within the tournament and the level of the tournament. You only receive points if you win a match and go on to the next round. Furthermore, only the outcome of the match matters and not how close the match was.
Your rating is based on who you play and the outcome of the match. Each set won in the match counts towards your rating (even if you lose the match). Ratings use the same scale for all players regardless of gender, age or ability.
What is the difference between WTN and NTRP?
The NTRP in Canada is a self-assessment tool that allows players to identify their tennis skill level on a scale between 1 and 7. The WTN is an algorithm that uses sophisticated calculations on previous match data to determine a player’s level of play on a scale between 40 and 1.
Can I convert my NTRP to a WTN?
No, however with some match play the WTN algorithm will be able to assign accurate ratings to players. Eventually the WTN will play a big role in finding level-based play.
What is the difference between WTN and UTR?
UTR is a 3rd party standalone provider that uses selected data from a variety of nations to run tennis ratings. The ratings are primarily focused on high performance players.
WTN is crafted by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and was developed in collaboration with top tennis federations (including Tennis Canada) to provide dynamic ratings based on data shared from the federations. WTN was developed to serve all federations and provide a single system for players of all levels, and to create a global tennis playing community for players and federations alike. UTR and WTN use different data sets and their algorithms differ.
USTA is working with US college coaches to provide access, education, and information on WTN.
GETTING STARTED WITH WTN
How do I get my WTN?
In order to obtain a WTN, you must be registered with the tournaments system and your match results must be submitted to the Tennis Canada national tournaments system. Sanctioned provincial competition results are always recorded in the national system. If you would like to submit club or league results, please contact tournaments@tenniscanada.com. If your results are already in the system, you can view your WTN by visiting your profile page on the tournaments site. Please make sure you have not opted out of submitting your match results to WTN in the account settings section.
How old do you have to be to receive a WTN?
Anyone who is above the age of 10 or will be turning 10-years old this year is eligible to receive a WTN.
How can I use WTN to find the right playing partner?
The global ITF WTN site will have an additional WTN feature called game zONe. Game zONe will provide you with a WTN range. By choosing players along different parts of the game zONe range, players can help determine the type of match they may have. For example, choosing an opponent at the higher end (higher rating) of an indicated game zONe will lead to an easier match, towards the middle unpredictable, and at the other end, a more challenging match. This is a valuable tool when a player is considering how they want to continue to develop their game and what type of tennis they want to play.
Will the WTN take into account club or local league matches?
All matches recorded in Tennis Canada’s tournaments system will count towards your WTN, as long as you are a registered player with a valid 8-digit player ID. If you would like to learn more about how your club or local league can access the Tennis Canada tournaments system, please email tournaments@tenniscanada.com.
GETTING STARTED WITH WTN for recreational players who do not compete in sanctioned competition – coming soon. Early next year Tennis Canada will provide options for clubs and local leagues to submit match results to Tennis Canada which will allow more players to receive a WTN.
MY WTN – ACCURACY AND CALCULATIONS
How is my WTN calculated?
The WTN algorithm uses match results from 2016 onwards to calculate a player’s number. When players compete, it analyzes the pre-match rating of both players. The algorithm then predicts what it thinks the outcome of the match will be. Players’ WTNs will change depending on the actual match score and how it compares to the prediction. The more results the system holds, the better the algorithm will understand a player’s ability, and therefore, its “confidence” in the player’s Number will increase. Match results are analyzed at set level, meaning the algorithm takes into account each individual set as its own result.
Will my WTN be updated and how often?
Yes, Canadian players’ WTNs will be updated on a weekly basis every Wednesday.
Does the score matter in the calculation of the WTN?
Yes, match results are analysed at set level, meaning the algorithm takes into account each individual set as its own result. The WTN algorithm compares its score prediction with the actual score to determine what a player’s specific rating should be.
What is the minimum match score required for the match to officially count towards my WTN?
The match must have one completed set
How many matches does it take to have an accurate WTN?
A good rule of thumb is 6 matches, however a higher number of matches will lead to a more accurate WTN rating.
Can I challenge my WTN?
WTNs will be calculated using live match data to ensure every player has an accurate number when the system goes live. As a player’s WTN will be generated by an accurate, objective and sophisticated mathematical calculation it will not be possible to appeal the result of the calculation.
Will I be able to appeal my WTN if results are missing or incorrect?
If any results are missing or incorrect, the first step we recommend is to please contact the tournament organizer for that specific event. If you have already contacted the tournament organizer and your results are still not appearing, please email tournaments@tenniscanada.com.
If I play in tournaments in another country, will they count towards my WTN?
Yes, international results contribute towards your WTN as long as the country you have competed in also participates in the ITF WTN program. The ITF WTN is a global system and as such any player who has competed internationally in a nation that also supports the ITF WTN program will have one Number which reflects all matches played at home and abroad. As of June 2022, 138 nations have joined the ITF WTN program.
WTN AND COMPETITIONS
Will my WTN help me register for ITF junior events?
Yes, the WTN will be used as the second entry criteria for ITF Junior tournaments. Junior ITF rankings will currently remain as the first entry criteria.
Will the level of tournament affect the weight of the result for the WTN?
Yes, depending on the level of tournament it can have a higher impact on your WTN. For example, in Canada matches played at Provincial Championships will carry more weight than matches played at Provincial 2-star tournaments.
Will there be WTN based tournaments or events?
The structure for junior sanctioned competition across Canada will remain the same. In 2023, more WTN based adult/recreational tournaments and leagues will be made available across Canada.
Looking for more information? Visit the ITF WTN site or email us at tournaments@tenniscanada.com
