What is World Tennis Number (WTN)?
The World Tennis Number (WTN) is the International Tennis Federation's (ITF) global rating system. Introduced to create a universal standard across all national federations, WTN rates players on a scale from 40 (beginner) to 1 (professional)—the lower the number, the better the player.
WTN calculates ratings using match results from national federation databases, including USTA tournaments in the United States. The system updates weekly on Wednesdays and considers match history going back to 2016, giving it a longer historical view than some other rating systems.
One key feature of WTN is its global reach. Since it's the ITF's official system, players from different countries can be compared on the same scale, which is particularly useful for international competition and players who compete across borders.
What is Universal Tennis Rating (UTR)?
The Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) is a global tennis rating system that rates all players—men, women, juniors, and adults—on a single 16-point scale. Unlike WTN, higher UTR numbers indicate stronger players, with top professionals typically rated between 13 and 16.
UTR has become the de facto standard for junior tennis and college recruiting in the United States. College coaches rely heavily on UTR when evaluating prospects because it allows direct comparison across age groups and genders. The rating updates daily based on your most recent 30 eligible matches from the past 12 months.
What makes UTR unique is its focus on game-by-game performance rather than just wins and losses. A close loss to a higher-rated opponent can actually improve your UTR, while a narrow win against a much lower-rated player might not help as much. This encourages competitive play and rewards strong performances regardless of the final outcome.
How this conversion works
This converter uses formulas derived from academic research conducted by Duke University professors William J. Mayew and Rebecca L. Mayew. Their 2023 study analyzed 1,532 matches played by 870 junior players at the USTA Junior National Championships.
The conversion formulas are: