Points Per Round
Frequently Asked Questions
The new Points Per Round (PPR) system has been called the biggest change in junior tennis over the last 40 years. PPR awards players points for each match they win in a tournament. The more matches a player wins, the more points the player receives. Within the Pacific Northwest section players may also receive Significant Win Bonus Points depending on the position of their opponent on a standing list. The player with the most points at the end of the year will be ranked number one. While the new system is easy to understand, parents and players have many questions. Listed below are some of the frequently asked questions.
Why did the USTA adopt a new ranking system?
There was a need to develop a simple ranking system that encouraged players to compete. With this new system, players will easily be able to track their wins, add up their points, and compare their points with the points earned by other players in their age division.
How does the new ranking system work?
For every match a player wins, that player earns points, which will be counted toward a ranking. The more matches a player wins, the more points that player earns. Players can compete in as many events as they would like but only their best six (6) events will count toward a ranking. In addition, players will earn bonus points for wins over players who are in the top 50 on the USTA/PNW monthly standing list, these points are called Significant Win Bonus Points. A new standing list will be published each month, which will be used to determine the top 50 list for the that month.
Why are the Significant Win Bonus Points worth so much?
Both the Youth Competition Committee and the Coaching Commission believed the system should weigh matches both against and by top ranked individuals as important. This type of system places competitve pressures on top ranked players giving them an opportunity to develop the tools to deal with these pressures both physically as well as mentally. The Significant Win Bonus Points helps middle and lower ranked players to develop their ability to handle the concept of "Big Matches". Another factor to the Significant Win Bonus Points is the size of the PNW section. Some tournaments may have many highly ranked players competing while a tournament in a more isolated part of our section may have none. It was important for our system not to over-value events but instead value the strength of individual matches played. The PPR system reward both significant wins and participation in tournaments as well as total match victories.
Will players whose families are wealthy have an advantage over players of more modest means?
Players of modest means will be able to earn significant points by playing in regional events such as the National Opens and other events on National Junior Tournament Schedule that are close to home. Careful schedule planning will enable a player to maximize the resources available in order to play.
Thank you to Lew Brewer and the USTA National office for their support and contribution in the production of this document.