Updated October 2026. Tennis City SF › San Francisco Tennis Guides
NTRP (National Tennis Rating Program) is the level system most recreational players in San Francisco use to describe themselves. When you post “3.5 looking for singles at Alice Marble”, other players know roughly what to expect. Getting your number close matters more than getting it high: a good match is one where both players are pushed but can keep the ball in play.
How the scale works
The USTA scale runs from 1.5 to 7.0 in half-point steps. Most adult recreational players fall between 2.5 and 4.5. Each half point is a real jump: a solid 4.0 will usually beat a 3.5 comfortably, and a 3.5 will rarely get many games off a 4.5.
What each level looks like on court
| NTRP | Typical player | Good first session |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 to 2.5 | Learning the strokes. Can rally slowly from the baseline with someone at the same level; serve is still inconsistent. | Cooperative rallying, a beginner clinic |
| 3.0 | Consistent at medium pace on forehands, less so on backhands. Starting to aim, but direction and depth break down under pressure. Doubles: usually one up, one back. | Rally plus points, social doubles |
| 3.5 | Reliable rally at medium pace with some depth and direction. Starting to come to the net, lob and use a second serve that goes in. The busiest level in SF. | Singles sets, doubles, drills |
| 4.0 | Dependable strokes on both sides, can change pace and direction, and builds points on purpose. Serves with placement; volleys and overheads are real weapons. | Match play, league practice |
| 4.5 | Uses power and spin deliberately, moves well, and adjusts tactics during a match. Second serve is aggressive rather than safe. | Competitive sets, tournaments |
| 5.0 and up | Former high school or college players and serious tournament players. Has a dominant shot and few weaknesses. | Match play, open tournaments |
How to rate yourself honestly
- Rate your match level, not your best rally. Everyone hits well in a warm-up. Your level is how you play when points count and someone is moving you around.
- Use your weakest stroke. If your forehand is a 4.0 and your backhand and serve are 3.0, you are probably a 3.5 at most. Opponents will find the weak side.
- Ask people who have played you. A coach or a regular hitting partner will usually be more accurate than you are. Coming back after years away? Rate yourself half a point below where you used to be until you have played a few sets.
- Adjust after a few matches. If you win most sets 6-1, move up. If you rarely win more than two games, move down. Nobody minds a rating change; people do mind mismatches.
Self-rating for USTA leagues
If you join a USTA adult league without a computer rating, you self-rate with the USTA questionnaire when you register. After you play, the USTA calculates a computer rating from your match results, and year-end ratings are published after the season. Self-rated players whose results are well above their level can be disqualified and bumped up, so it pays to be honest from the start. See USTA NTRP ratings FAQs for the current rules.
NTRP, UTR and World Tennis Number
- NTRP: USTA’s recreational scale, 1.5 to 7.0. Used for USTA leagues and how most SF players describe themselves.
- UTR (Universal Tennis Rating): a results-based scale from 1 to 16.5 that rates every match you play in UTR events, regardless of age or gender. Common in junior, college and UTR Flex League play.
- WTN (World Tennis Number): the ITF’s scale, running from 40 for beginners down to 1 for top professionals, so lower is better.
The scales don’t convert exactly. If someone gives you a UTR or WTN, ask what NTRP they would call themselves, or hit together once before a match.
FAQ
I’m between two levels. Which should I use?
Say both, for example “3.0 to 3.5”. It tells people you’re happy to play either, and you’ll get more replies.
Is my singles level the same as my doubles level?
Not always. Players with good volleys and placement often play a half point higher in doubles; fast baseliners are often stronger in singles. Mention which one you mean.
Related guides
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