Self Rating
Tennis self rating (level 1 through 7) is used to assess the overall performance of tennis players.
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. This player has limited experience and is still working primarily on getting the ball into play.
2.0
This player needs on-court experience. This player has obvious stroke weaknesses but is familiar with basic positions for singles and doubles play.
Ground-Strokes (forehand and backhand)
Can get the ball in play but lacks control, resulting in inconsistent rallies. Often chooses to hit forehands instead of backhands.
Net Play (volleys and overheads)
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.
Serve
In complete service motion. Toss is inconsistent. Double faults are common.
Return of Serve
Tends to position in a manner to protect weaknesses. Inconsistent return.
2.5
This player is 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.
Ground-Strokes (forehand and backhand)
Can rally consistenly 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.
Net Play (volleys and overheads)
Becoming at ease at the net in practice but uncomfortable in a game situation.
Serve
Attempting a full service motion on the first serve. First serve in inconsistent (less than 50%). Uses an incomplete motion to ensure a steady second serve.
Return of Serve
In singles, consistent when returning towards the middle of the court. In doubles, difficulty returning cross-court to start the point.
3.0
This player is 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, one-back.
Ground-Strokes (forehand and backhand)
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.
Net Play (volleys and overheads)
Very consistent on forehand volley with easy balls, inconsistent on backhand volley. Overall has difficulty with low and wide balls. Can smash easy lobs.
Serve
Full motion on both serves. Able to achieve more than 50% success on first serve. Second serve much slower than first serve.
Return of Serve
Can control the direction of the ball in both singles and doubles, when receiving a serve of moderate pace.
3.5
This player has achieved improved stroke dependability with directional control on moderate shots, but still lacks depth and variety. This player exhibits more aggressive net play, has improved court coverage, and is developing teamwork in doubles.
Ground-Strokes (forehand and backhand)
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%).
Net Play (volleys and overheads)
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.
Serve
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.
Return of Serve
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.
4.0
This player 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. This player occasionally forces errors when serving. Rallies may be lost due to impatience. Teamwork in doubles is evident.
Ground-Strokes (forehand and backhand)
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.
Net Play (volleys and overheads)
In singles, comfortable at following an approach shot to the net. In doubles, comfortable receiving a variety of balls and converting o offensive positioning; can poach on weak returns of serve. Able to put away easy overheads.
Serve
Can vary the speed and direction of the first serve. Uses spin.
Return of Serve
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.
4.5
This player has begun to master the use of power and spins and is beginning to handle pace, has sound footwork, can control depth of shots, and is beginning to vary game plan according to opponents. This player can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve. This player tends to over hit on difficult shots. Aggressive net play is common in doubles.
Ground-Strokes (forehand and backhand)
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.
Net Play (volleys and overheads)
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.
Serve
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.
Return of Serve
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.
5.0
This player has good shot anticipation and frequently has an outstanding shot or attribute around which a game may be structured. This player can regularly hit winners or force errors off of short balls and can put away volleys, can successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys, overhead smashes, and has good depth and spin on most 2nd serves.
Ground-Strokes (forehand and backhand)
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.
Net Play (volleys and overheads)
In doubles, after the serve, has a good, deep crosscourt volley. Overhead can be hit from almost any position.
Serve
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.
Return of Serve
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.
5.5
This player has developed a gamestyle which is recognizable as either an all court player, an aggressive baseliner, a serve and volleyer, or a retriever. Has developed good anticipation either technically (can read toss on serve, body position…) or tactically (can read opponents tendencies in specific situations). Has no major weaknesses and can counterattack effectively against a hard ball, wide ball or in passing shot situations. Capable of competing in "open" category provincial level tournaments. Ability to use specific shots in order to exploit opponent's weakness: drop-shot, lob, angle, moonball…
6.0
These players will generally not need a rating. Rankings or past rankings will speak for themselves. This player typically has had intensive training for national tournament competition at the junior level and collegiate levels and has obtained a provincial and/or national "open" ranking.
6.5
These players will generally not need a rating. Rankings or past rankings will speak for themselves. This player has extensive international "open" level tournament experience at the entry professional level (challenger or satellite experience).
7.0
These players will generally not need a rating. Rankings or past rankings will speak for themselves. This player is a world class professional tennis player.