Mini Tennis Ratings
Mini tennis ratings are designed to help young players between the ages of four and ten get the most out of competitive tennis. The ratings are designed to reward you for competing, inspire you to develop your game and offer the opportunity to compete more regularly and to be the best you can be.
How do the ratings work?
- You will automatically move from level 4 to level 3 and level 3 to level 2 once you have
completed the appropriate number of matches whether you win or lose - You will move from level 2 to level 1 once you have won a certain number of matches
at your rating or better (monthly process) - Mixed gender matches will count at red, orange and green
- Doubles matches will count towards your played matches but not your wins total
- If you reach red level 1, you will move to orange level 2 at the correct age. If you reach
red level 1 a year early you will move to orange level 4 - If you reach orange level 1, you will move to green level 2 at the correct age
- If you reach green level 1, you will move to a 9.2 rating at the correct age
What are the benefits of mini tennis ratings?
Mini tennis ratings will attract and retain more young players in competition. Players will be rewarded for competing, whether they win or lose. Mini tennis ratings supports the national competition framework and key tennis people, including players, parents, coaches and competition organisers have been involved in developing the system.
How does my child get a mini tennis rating?
To get a mini tennis rating, your child need to join the British Tennis Membership scheme.
What mini tennis rating do players start with?
All players have been given a level 4 rating based on the ball colour they will be competing with. Players born in 1999 will be given a Green 4 rating, players born in 2000 will be given an Orange 4 rating and players born in 2001 or later will be given a Red 4 rating. This is in line with the National Competition Framework.
Will all players start on the same mini tennis rating?
During the pilot period from June to 1st September 2008, players will be given a level 4 rating within the right age group categories red, orange or green. This will allow players to pick up wins and progress through the system so come September they will have had the chance to get to the right rating for their standard. Some players identified through the National Talent ID camps will be given a level 3 rating within their age group category and a few identified 2001 born players, who have been competing this year in orange competition, will be given an orange level 4 rating.
Will mixed gender matches count for mini tennis ratings?
Yes. The physical differences between boys and girls at this age are not so pronounced, so mixed gender matches can be effective in providing lots more enjoyable competition.
Do doubles matches count for mini tennis ratings?
Yes. Doubles matches will count for the participation element of mini tennis ratings. This is to help ensure players have enough opportunities to compete and progress.
What happens if a player with an orange rating plays a player with a red rating?
If a player has an orange rating and plays a player with a red rating, that match will only count for the red player but not for the player with an orange rating. Equally, if a player with a green rating plays a player with an orange rating the match will count for the orange rated player but not the green rated player.
How will players know when their rating increases?
Players will be able to see their results by logging in to the British Tennis Members’ area. Once a player has met the criteria to increase in rating, they will be sent an email letting them know about the change. Players should keep a record of their own match results.
How many matches do I need to play to move through the different levels of the ratings system?
To move from a level 4 to a level 3, in each ball colour, players need to compete in 6 matches. Moving from a level 3 to a level 2 is based on playing in another set number of matches (30 for Red, 20 for Orange or Green) and players move from a level 2 to a level 1 based on playing in a further set number of matches (40 for Red and 30 for Orange or Green) and winning (at their rating or better) a set number of matches (20 for Red, 15 for Orange or Green).
For information on match numbers please refer to the mini tennis ratings leaflet. Matches can only be used to help a player increase to the next level i.e. they may not be carried over to the next level.
Do other countries operate a similar system?
Similar ratings systems operate in a number of major tennis playing nations. Both France and Belgium have introduced rating systems at a young age to compliment and develop their junior competitive structure.
