What is the ITF World Tennis Number, and how do I get one?

The ITF World Tennis Number is the rating the LTA uses (Regulation 33; the Regulations also call it your "Rating"). It's based on your results in matches against other players.

• You need LTA Membership to have one.
• It's issued from age 10, or from the calendar year in which you turn 10.
• You have separate singles and doubles numbers, each between 40 and 1 to one decimal place (for example 30.5). Juniors start at 40.9, and the number comes down as you improve.
• Adults get a starting number by completing a player standard questionnaire in the members' area of the LTA website.
• It's recalculated regularly by an ITF algorithm. The outcome can't be appealed.

What counts: singles and doubles results from grade 1 to 7 competitions, provided the results and players' LTA Membership numbers are submitted to the LTA. The LTA can disallow results, for example matches against your coach or a relative.

When it's used: for acceptance and seeding in Open events (World Tennis Number first, then Ranking), and you need a current number to enter LTA sanctioned competitions. The number used for an entry is the one live on the LTA website at the closing deadline.