RATING GUIDE Find suitable playing partners AND enjoy playing tennis more. How? Guidelines to rate yourself: • Use the Rating Guide which identifies and describes • Study the rating chart. different levels of tennis ability. • Start reading from the top of the chart, beginning with Level 1.0. Purpose: • Find the level that best describes your general level of play. • Find your own general level of tennis ability. • Ask your Instructor or Coach to validate your rating, if you think that will help. • Find players of a similar level so that you can have competitive games. • Remember that as you play more, and improve, your rating may improve. • Play an individual at a higher level using handicap scoring to make the game more competitive. • Update your rating periodically. • Participate in group lessons or league play with people of • Results in social and competitive matches will validate similar ability. whether your chosen level is reasonably accurate.

RATING GROUNDSTROKES RETURN OF SERVE NETPLAY SERVE (forehand and backhand) (volley and overheads)

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.

Can get the ball in play but Tends to position in In singles, reluctant Incomplete service motion. lacks control, resulting in a manner to protect to come to the net. In Toss is inconsistent. Double inconsistent rallies. Often weakness. doubles, understands basic faults are common. 2.0 chooses to hit forehands positioning; comfortable only instead of backhands. Inconsistent with the forehand volley; returns. avoids backhand volley and overhead.

Can rally consistently 10 In singles, consistent Becoming at ease at the net Attempting a full service balls in a row, especially on when returning towards in practice but uncomfortable motion on the first serve. the forehand, with an arched the middle of the court. in a game situation. First serve is inconsistent 2.5 trajectory over the net when In doubles, difficulty (less than 50%). Uses an the objective is to hit to a returning cross-court to incomplete motion to ensure partner at moderate speed. start the point. a steady second serve.

Able to rally consistently 10 Can control the direction Very consistent on forehand Full motion on both serves. balls in a row on forehands of the ball both in singles volley with easy balls, Able to achieve more than and backhands. Able to and doubles, when inconsistent on backhand 50% success on first serve. maintain the rally when receiving a serve of volley. Second serve much slower 3.0 receiving high, short or wide moderate pace. than first serve. balls, assuming the ball is Overall has difficulty with low received at a moderate pace, and wide balls. Can smash especially on the forehand easy lobs. stroke.

Able to move the opponent Can return fast serves or Becoming confident at net Can vary the speed or around the court or hit harder well placed serves with play; can direct FH volleys; direction of first serve. when receiving balls. defensive actions. controls BH volley but Can direct the second serve On easy second serve, with little offense; General to the opponent’s weakness 3.5 Can execute approach shots can return with pace difficulty in putting volleys without double faulting on a with some consistency (more or directional control; away. Can handle volleys regular basis. than 50%). can approach the net in and overheads that require doubles. moderate movement.

Able to develop points with Difficulty in returning In singles, comfortable Can vary the speed some consistency by using a spin serves and very fast at following an approach and direction of the reliable combination of shots. serves. shot to the net. In doubles, first serve. Erratic when attempting a comfortable receiving Uses spin. quality shot when receiving On moderately paced a variety of balls and 4.0 fast or wide balls, and when serves, can construct the converting to offensive attempting passing shots. point through hitting a positioning; can poach on good shot or exploiting an weak returns of serves. Able opponent’s weakness. to put away easy overheads. In doubles, can vary returns effectively on moderately paced serves.

Can use a variety of spins. Off first serves, can When coming to the net after Aggressive first serve Beginning to develop a defend consistently serving, consistently able with power and spin. On dominant shot or good but very inconsistent to put the first volley in play second serve frequently steadiness. (less than 30%) when but without pace or depth; hits with good depth and attempting an aggressive however, inconsistent when placement without double 4.5 Erratic when attempting return. trying to volley powerful or faults. Can serve and volley a quality shot in two of angled returns. off first serves in doubles, the following situations: In doubles, has difficulty but experiences some receiving fast balls, wide (less than 50%) returning Close to the net, can finish a inconsistency. balls, and in passing shot a first serve at the feet of point using various options situations. the incoming serve and including drop volley, angle volleyer. volley, and punch volley.

Able to maintain a consistent Periodically succeeds In doubles, after First serve can win points rally, 10 balls in a row on (50%) at aggressive the serve, has a outright, or force a weak faster balls. Very steady returns off fast first good, deep return. Second serve can strokes or has a dominant serves using dominant crosscourt volley. prevent the opponent from shot. Periodically succeeds shot (forehand or attacking. Serve and volleys (50%) when attempting a backhand). Overhead on first serves in doubles 5.0 quality shot when receiving can be hit with consistency. fast or wide balls, and in In doubles, can return from almost passing shot situations. at the feet of serve and any position. volleyer.

This player has developed a gamestyle which is recognizable as 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 opponent’s tendencies in specific situations). Has no major weaknesses and can counterattack 5.5 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 etc.

These players will generally not need a rating. Rankings or past rankings will speak for themselves. The 6.0 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. 6.0TO The 6.5 player has extensive international “open” level tournament experience at the entry 7.0 professional level (challenger or satellite experience). The 7.0 is a world class professional tennis player.