I don't follow the UTR at all but I know that the French 'classement' (rating/ranking) works extremely well as a 'marker' for entering tournaments. As you say, it means that (as they are nearly all progressive draws) you come in at the right level, playing someone a tiny bit lower (in theory) in your first match and then someone a tiny bit higher (in theory) in your second match. It does 'predict' (if you're higher you're supposed to win) but its aim is to create competitive draws that people want to enter because they know they'll get interesting, decent matches.

It goes from age 12 upwards, covers all matches (and because there's such a huge number of individual and team tournaments week in, week out, is very comprehensive). There's also a committee that gives out one for foreign players (from every level up), and also gives out special rankings if, after one tournament, say, there's obviously a completely falsely ranked player. And that's also so as to make the draw competitive - one completely falsely ranked player ruins the event for everyone (even him/herself as they end up playing zillions of matches needlessly) so it gets rectified.

Women and men have exactly the same system but they are independent - team and money tournaments never have women playing men. But people use them amongst themselves, the general consensus being that the difference is about three ranking notches (i.e. a 30/4 man can play with a 30/1 woman, in general).

Surface doesn't come into it because everyone's ranking covers all the matches they play, on all the surfaces. And, in general, it's hard. (There's a misperception, of course, that the French play on clay - most of the country never plays on it). But it treats all matches the same.

The Optimist wrote:

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I'm not sure of mixing the genders on UTR either.  I think it works well at the lower end but not as you move towards the elite players.  I don't think the system is really aimed at the true elite though.  I think they're included for completeness and interest.  The rationale of the system, as I understand it, is about competitiveness rather than a kind of ranking system.  So coaches can see whether a recruit is likely to be competitive at the level of play in their conference, so players can find others who will give them a good match regardless of age or gender, so junior competitions can be organised so most players get a good match rather than being on one side or other of bakery products and so on.  I imagine it can also give those who are not aiming for the real heights a benchmark against which to monitor their progress - bit like a golf handicap does.  Not taking surfaces into account fits into this idea of competitiveness rather than ranking.

 

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While not sure about mixing the genders, yes I do see the rationale for such integration just as with including all ages so that at lower levels there is a comparison over all players and players can find other players of a similar level. I wonder how much stats they have on male vs female matches ( maybe such matches are more prevalent in other countries ) to integrate into the system, but in theory I see why they want to do it. The ratings can clearly be looked also as separate male / female table for college etc purposes.  Clearly again at the elite level comparison stats male vs female will not really be there, but as you say not really for the elite - they are not looking to mix sexes and UTR isn't claiming that these are comparative rankings for them.   

DavidC wrote:

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Nell makes it 15 wins in a row in ITFs and meets the girl Coup Droit identified as a star

SF

(1) Nell Miller d. Ellie-Rose Griffiths 6-3 0-6 6-1

F

(1) Nell Miller v (10) Giulia Morlet (FRA)

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I'd go for Nell to win though.

Giulia is born 2002, so very young (although a Jan. birthday). She's extremely good for her age but I'd hope that Nell's two years (and recent very good form) will be too much for the youngster. 

 

Camille Anderson has made it through to the finals of the doubles.

F

(1) Nell Miller def (10) Giulia Morlet (FRA) 6-1 6-1

Quite comfortable in the end. Will be interesting to see how Nell does in bigger events in the coming months. Roehampton and Wimbledon especially. I assume she'll play both

Yep she's down as the second seed behind Eden Richardson.

Kenneth wrote:

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Nell should win, Olivia Peet, one of many strong girls in the 99/00 age group, went 3 sets with French girl the other day. Nell is very tough and solid so would expect her to come through.

Shame GB has a grade 1 ITF (and grand slam) but then nothing more than grade 4/5 events which are always stronger than the actual grade. LTA should try and get some higher grade events. Time/travel is so expensive for us here as opposed to our continental cousins.

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It certainly does seem that there is a good argument for more home higher grade events.