Getting my 100% verified UTR rating after 6 verified matches

This summer, I decided to try something new for my tennis journey by actively participating in UTR (Universal Tennis Registry) . This was also inspired by UTR’s increased popularity in Shanghai , where I was visiting last year.  I am seeing it thru my own eyes that it was no longer just a rating used in North America (mostly in US).

In this post, I’d like share my experience this summer with UTR. In total I paid $80 for two leagues tournament.  I will be covering

• How to UTR rating system works (vs NTRP and WTN)
• Its “power users’ price & value from a non-US resident perspective
• Overall experience for me after completing first 6 ranked matches

 

How the rating system works

I have written some basic introduction of UTR from my previous blog post back in May .  At that time I was still relevantly new and had a lot to figure out.  Now I have completed my first 6 matches by completed two flex leagues, and finally got my “verified rating” with 100% reliable status (see below)

Its ranking system only counts the “verified” tournament, leagues and match play events .  This way (in my opinion)  it can prevent player “gaming” its system.

However In practice, it creates some challenges due to unreliable self-serve verification system.  For example my most recent match play – even though it is a “verified” league matches, it didn’t get the correct status after 48 hrs after both my opponent confirmed the score.  This wasn’t fixed until I contact the organizer/customer service.  If not verified – the score will show up like “pending” (see below example) – which won’t count as rating.  I heard at least one another participants had similar issue with me.

Tennis rating: UTR vs NTRP vs WTN

The NTRP Rating system was more commonly used to rate recreational tennis level.  For example, 3.0 level was commonly referred as the intermediate level player who can hit over 20+ rallies with decent forehand, backhand, volley and serving skills.

The challenge for the UTRP system is it is very subjective and also self-rated.   For example, I considered myself a 4.0-4.5 player with relatively high confidence, however in this social media post  over 10+ stranger would comment on the game highlight I posted and rate the game as “barely making to 3.0”.

On the other hand, UTR rating was given by the system , by calculating the score closeness for the verified match you played , against other player who had rating.  Common sense can tell UTR is much more accurate because it is objective.

Interestingly, WTN was also gaining some ground .  Based on my research, it is similar to UTR but the rating scale is reversed (In UTR the higher the number the better the play is, but in WTN is on the opposite) .   There is no app for WTN yet, so it would be curious to see its adaptation.  I would say right now it is still a distant 3rd place, measured by the popularity among recreational tennis players.

UTR’s Pricing & Value

UTR starts for free. You don’t need to pay anything to join UTR.  Some ATP/WTA player might not even aware that their name were added in UTR and I am sure they are not paying for it.

At the same time, UTR charges $12 USD per month (or $120 USD per year) for its premium service “Power Subscription” .  I find it hard to justify this cost for me as a non-US resident as of now (Sep 2024).

• The most obvious benefit for me is saving about $10 per each flex league tournament entry fee.  We only have about 4-5 flex league tournament locally in Toronto over 6 month outdoor season.
• You can see access the exact 2 decimal points (for example 6.39) for your local opponents. However as a “free” user, you can also “follow” your opponent on the app version (see below screenshot). Unfortunately it is not available from the web browser version .

• The rest of the merchandising benefit (e.g discount of tennis warehouse, tennis channel) are clearly US focus and international user can’t use them unfortunately .

I wish they can do some cross-merchandising with SwingVision .  They are clearly targeting to the same recreational tennis player user segment.  Maybe $4.99 per month , or $50 a year would justify the cost for me.

Experience with 6 games under my belt

Overall I would rate the experience very positive – giving it 4.5/5 .  It is a little biased – considering I did reasonably well from the game result. In the 2nd flex league I played , I even won my division with a 3-1 record. Hopefully I can receive a “prize” as it advertised in the event profile :).   If the record is 1-3 or 0-4, maybe I won’t be even willing to write this post.

• Event organizing : The local organizer Lionel was experienced and also responsive.   For example he handled the withdrawal/unresponsive players with a quick sub within a week.
• Players/opponent:   I got the opportunity to play 6 different players – all 6 of them are as enthusiastic about tennis as I am.  They are ranging from competitive junior (she is a girl and I lost to her in 3 set !), to internationally travelled tennis fan from other countries .
• Format/Game rule:  The ability to contact my opponent to set up time & location is ideal for recreational tennis player who has another full time job like me .  Based on a conversation with one of opponents who also frequently participated OTA tournament organized by Ontario Tennis Association, the format on UTR is clearly favoured because of its flexibility .  The 10 point deciding set tie-breaker rule is also suitable to keep the match length at around 2h.
• “Challenge” rule:   You can also challenge anyone who also participated in the flex leagues, outside of the normal weekly matches schedule.  I found this rule to be exciting and hopefully to try more down the road.
• Event Venue :   There is no event venue – but that is one of the beauty parts because I got the chance to play both home court (inviting other player to come to my local club), or away court by visiting other courts I usually won’t get a chance to play at.   This year I played at Veneto Tennis club , Dunlace Park Tennis Club and Wade Gate Park Public Tennis club  – all three of them have top notch condition (see below picture). I guess having faith on my opponent who is willing to pick the court would usually pay off – even though it means a bit driving (up to 40min in non-rush hour time).

Closing thoughts

As the summer winding down, I am wrapping up my outdoor tennis season soon .  It looks like I will end up this 2024 season with 6.40 UTR rating .  Definitely room for improvement but I am satisfied with it for the 1st year so far.