Get your ITF World Tennis Number (WTN)

To obtain a WTN, players must be registered on the national-provincial matchplay platform (Tennis Canada Tournament Software Platform), where their match results are recorded. In 2022, Tennis Canada introduced a Flex Ladders section, enabling clubs and league organizers to input matchplay results online.

The WTN algorithm uses match results from national tennis federations to calculate ratings.

The ITF World Tennis Number’s weekly calculation now includes data from over 80 nations and 30 million match records worldwide. The ITF continuously monitors and adjusts the algorithm to ensure accuracy.

For Canadian players, Tennis Canada has submitted match results from January 2016 to present to initialize the WTN algorithm.

Key Principles of the WTN Algorithm:

• Recent match results carry more weight than older results.
• Sanctioned competition results carry more weight than recreational results.
• Set-level analysis ensures each set counts as its own result.
• Pre-match ratings are used to project outcomes; WTNs adjust based on actual match results.

• Players can use WTN to find the right person to play with or the right program to join
• Coaches can use WTN to help organize programs and lessons based on skill level
• Tournament Directors can use WTN for entry and seeding criteria, and it can help them define tournament categories
• Clubs/League Organizers can use WTN to support the delivery of adult recreational leagues and match play events

Players can find their WTN for singles and doubles by visiting their profile page on the national-provincial matchplay platform. To build a WTN, players must opt-in to sharing their matchplay data with the ITF in the Account Settings section of the platform. Registered Canadian competitors will also be able to find their WTN on the global WTN site developed by the ITF. The global WTN site includes enhanced features such as player watchlists, game zones, and head-to-head comparisons.

The watchlist feature is now exclusively being offered to TPA active certified coaches, for FREE! To create watchlists to track multiple players’ WTNs, coaches will need an account created on the global WTN site. To get started, please email WTNmatches@tenniscanada.com

A ranking is based on the results that a player achieves in tournaments within a given time frame (typically a rolling 52-week period). The focus is on how far the player goes within the tournament and the level of the tournament. Players only receive points if they win a match and go on to the next round. Furthermore, only the outcome of the match matters and not how close the match was. A ranking is the comparative position of a player within a particular category of players, for example the girls under 12 age category.

A rating is based on who a player competes against and the outcome of the match. Each set won in the match counts towards a player’s rating (even if they lose the match). Ratings use the same scale for all players regardless of gender, age or ability. A rating identifies the level of a player.

The NTRP in Canada is a self-assessment tool that allows a players to identify their tennis skill level on a scale between 1 and 7. The WTN is an algorithm that uses sophisticated calculations on previous match data to determine a player’s level of play on a scale between 40 and 1.

No, however with some match play the WTN algorithm will be able to assign an accurate ratings to a players. Eventually the WTN will play a big role in finding level-based play.

UTR is a 3rd party standalone provider that uses selected data from a variety of nations to run tennis ratings. The ratings are primarily focused on high performance players.

WTN is crafted by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and was developed in collaboration with top tennis federations (including Tennis Canada) to provide dynamic ratings based on data shared from the federations. WTN was developed to serve all federations and provide a single system for players of all levels, and to create a global tennis playing community for players and federations alike. UTR and WTN use different data sets and their algorithms differ.

Anyone who is above the age of 10 or will be turning 10-years old this year is eligible to receive a WTN.

The global WTN site has an additional WTN feature called Game zONe. Game zONe provides players with a WTN range. By choosing opponents from within the Game zONe range, a players can help determine the type of match they may have. For example, choosing an opponent at the lower end (higher WTN) of an indicated Game zONe will lead to an easier match, towards the middle unpredictable, and at the higher end (lower WTN), a more challenging match. This is a valuable tool when a player is considering how they want to continue to develop their game.

The WTN algorithm uses match results from 2016 onwards to calculate a player’s number. When players compete, it analyzes the pre-match rating of both players. The algorithm then predicts what it thinks the outcome of the match will be. A player’s WTNs will change depending on the actual match score and how it compares to the prediction. The more results the system holds, the better the algorithm will understand a player’s ability, and therefore, its “confidence” in the player’s Number will increase. Match results are analyzed at set level, meaning the algorithm takes into account each individual set as its own result.

Yes, Canadian players’ WTNs will be updated on a weekly basis every Wednesday.

Yes, match results are analyzed at set level, meaning the algorithm takes into account each individual set as its own result. The WTN algorithm compares its score prediction with the actual score to determine what a player’s specific rating should be.

The match must have one completed set.

A good rule of thumb is 6 matches, however a higher number of matches will lead to a more accurate WTN rating.

WTNs will be calculated using live match data to ensure every player has an accurate number when the system goes live. As a player’s WTN will be generated by an accurate, objective and sophisticated mathematical calculation it will not be possible to appeal the result of the calculation.

If any results are missing or incorrect, it is recommended the player first contacts the tournament organizer for that specific event. If the tournament organizer was already contacted and the results are still not appearing/corrected, the player can email tournaments@tenniscanada.com.

Yes, international results contribute towards a player’s WTN as long as the country they have competed in also participates in the ITF WTN program. The ITF WTN is a global system and as such any player who has competed internationally in a nation that also supports the ITF WTN program will have one Number which reflects all matches played at home and abroad. As of April 2024, 169 nations have joined the ITF WTN program.

Yes, the WTN will be used as the second entry criteria for ITF Junior tournaments. Junior ITF rankings will currently remain as the first entry criteria.

Yes, depending on the level of tournament it can have a higher impact on a player’s WTN. For example, in Canada matches played at Provincial Championships will carry more weight than matches played at Provincial 2-star tournaments.