- Pioneering Global Tennis Rating System aims to get more people playing tennis more often, no matter their age, gender or ability in South Africa.
- Easy and free-to-use player rating system is powered by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the global governing body for the sport;
- System provides a Number for Singles and a Number for Doubles and helps individuals find an opponent of a similar ability to compete against by utilising industry-leading technology to match players;
- South Africa becomes the latest nation to launch this groundbreaking new global rating system
- The single global scale ranges from 40 (beginners) to 1 (the world’s best), allowing anyone to find the right match no matter where they are in the world.
Monday, 25 November 2024, Pretoria, South Africa – Tennis South Africa (TSA) has today announced the national launch across South Africa of a pioneering global tennis rating system that will create the world’s largest tennis community, getting more people to play tennis more often.
Named the ITF World Tennis Number, and powered by the global governing body for the sport of tennis, the new and easy-to-use player rating system consists of a platform which will officially launch worldwide and be available to all national association members from January 2021. Upon its launch, players across South Africa will be able to use the platform to find their perfect match on court no matter their age, ability or gender. ITF World Tennis Number is based on a universal scale that ranges from the Number 40 for beginners to 1 for the world’s best. The scale includes a unique feature called Game zONe, which identifies evenly matched opponents on the scale, ensuring that players have the best experience on court. As players compete, they can gradually start to improve their number by recording and measuring their progress, as well as interacting with, and assessing, other tennis players.
In addition to helping players find the best match on court, ITF World Tennis Number is being launched to support the goals of all tennis players throughout the world, whatever they may be. As a real-time skill level rating, ITF World Tennis Number provides players with statistics to track their tennis progress based on actual performance, offers head-to-head comparisons with upcoming opponents (or even the professionals), and allows users to create a ‘favourites list’ of players, friends and club mates they would like to play in future.
The ITF World Tennis Number aims to make tennis more accessible to people of all abilities across South Africa and to create exciting experiences for players. Users will be able to identify the right players to compete against, whether they be in their local home environment or travelling for work or holiday across South Africa or overseas. Crucially, ITF World Tennis Number addresses the challenge that has long confronted tennis players of all levels, in helping them find a player of the right ability to compete against.
The introduction of the ITF World Tennis Number across South Africa today takes the concept of tennis ratings to a new level both domestically and internationally. Having been approved by the ITF Board of Directors in 2018, South Africa has become the latest nation to launch the new system. From today, players across South Africa will be able to view the ITF World Tennis Number website and get up to speed on how the Digital Platform will work once it goes live.
"We are excited to introduce the ITF World Tennis Number to South Africa, a platform that embodies our commitment to making tennis accessible and inclusive for everyone. This innovative system, driven by the ITF, enhances the credibility and reach of our initiative,” TSA President Gavin Crookes.
“We are excited to be part of this groundbreaking platform, which will create opportunities, increase participation, and promote healthier, more active lifestyles. By matching players of similar abilities, this system ensures an enjoyable and competitive experience for all, no matter their age, gender, or skill level,” added Crookes.
This initiative fits perfectly into Tennis South Africa’s vision statement: "To see someone playing tennis, somewhere, every day."
TSA signed up to the ITF World Tennis Number in November 2024, which was one of the key objectives of the ITF2024 Strategy, approved by TSA.
Key South Africa Dates of the ITF World Tennis Number:
Monday, 25 November 2024: ITF World Tennis Number launched across South Africa with the platform website now live for more information.
ITF World Tennis Number Platform goes live worldwide, meaning players can create their profiles and begin using the new global ratings system.
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About ITF
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) is the world governing body of tennis. Founded in 1913, its purpose is to ensure the long-term growth and sustainability of the sport, delivering tennis for future generations in association with its 210 member nations. The ITF oversees the rules and regulations that govern international and national competition. The ITF is responsible for the worldwide development of tennis through its highly-regarded Development Programme, its Science and Technical department which monitors equipment and technology, and its Officiating department which oversees the education and advancement of officials. The ITF organises over 1,500 weeks of men’s, women’s and junior tournaments on the ITF World Tennis Tour, and also manages the ITF junior team competitions, ITF Beach Tennis Tour, UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour and the ITF Seniors Circuit. The ITF is the owner and rightsholder of the two largest annual international team competitions in tennis, Davis Cup by Rakuten and Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas, and manages the Olympic Tennis Event on behalf of the IOC. The ITF upholds the highest standards of integrity and manages the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme on behalf of the sport and is a partner in the Tennis Integrity Unit. Visit www.itftennis.com, www.twitter.com/ITF_Tennis, www.Facebook.com/InternationalTennisFederation
About ITF World Tennis Number
ITF World Tennis Number has been developed by the governing body of world tennis - the International Tennis Federation - to establish a single global tennis rating for players of all ages, genders and abilities, making it easier than ever for people to find opponents that are evenly matched to them, wherever they are in the world.
The ITF World Tennis Number has been developed to drive global participation and enable more people at all levels to play and enjoy the sport. 80+ nations have already signed up to launch the innovative digital platform since 2021 to help create the world’s largest community of tennis players.
Powered by a state-of the-art algorithm that analyses performance data and millions of match results, the ITF World Tennis Number will provide players with a real-time skill level rating that will enable them to have more meaningful and enjoyable tennis experiences.
To find out more, visit www.worldtennisnumber.com