In an era where technology and sports are increasingly intertwined, the ITF World Tennis Number (WTN) has emerged as a game-changer for college tennis programmes throughout the USA. The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) has embraced the innovative rating system, and ITA college tennis is reaping the benefits.

During the summer, the WTN was used to power the ITA Summer Series, providing a hugely accurate seeding platform for a competitive tournament schedule. This resulted in a 90% match prediction accuracy across the Women and Men’s Singles draw.

Eleana Yu, ITA Summer Series

Eleana Yu, Singles and Doubles champion at the 2024 ITA National Summer Championships, has highlighted the positive impact that the WTN had on the tournament “I think that the WTN was pretty representative of my summer performance. Having won my matches and taking the scorelines into account, I think that the change in my WTN was reflected in that.

“I feel that the WTN seems pretty accurate in terms of similar skill level within the range it provides, and I really like the feature of seeing the ‘head-to-head’ and ‘competitors in common’. I feel like that contributes to the accuracy of the rating system.”

Meanwhile, Oskar Poulsen, number one seed in the Doubles event and eventual champion, echoed Yu’s sentiments: “I think it was a good idea to use the WTN to make the draw and the seeds, as it rewards players for being consistent at a high level”.

“I do think that it’s interesting in tennis because everyone can beat each other on a good day but most of the time, the better WTN will come out on top.”

Enhanced Competition and Scheduling

The WTN has revolutionised competition structures. By using this dynamic rating system, ITA colleges can create more competitive schedules that match players of similar abilities, enhancing the quality of matches.

ITA President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Timothy Russell says: “We use WTN for selection and seeding into ITA tournaments and the WTN serves as the primary driver of our highly successful ITA Summer Series, which intersects junior players, high school players, collegiate players, and adults in more than 50 events in communities across America over a six-week period. WTN is proving to be a highly accurate rating.”

Elevating Player Development

The WTN, designed to provide a more accurate reflection of a player’s skill level, has transformed how coaches evaluate and develop talent. At ITA colleges, the adoption of the WTN has led to tailored training programs that meet the individual needs of players.

Adelaide Wood, Senior Manager at the United States Tennis Association (USTA) has earmarked the WTN’s success at all levels: “We are thrilled to see the WTN contributing to the success of the ITA summer Series. The WTN has become such an integral part of our entire pathway from the local level up to the pros. The ITA have been tremendous in supporting and growing this rating with us."

Oskar Poulsen, ITA Summer Series

Greater Opportunities for Student-Athletes

The implementation of the WTN has opened doors for student-athletes, offering them a clearer path to scholarships and recruitment. The transparent rating system provides scouts and coaches with reliable data, allowing talented players from diverse backgrounds to gain visibility.

“We appreciate the ITF’s commitment to the constant improvement of the algorithm and the system for its use”, added Dr. Timothy Russell. “Of particular interest for aspiring collegiate players is the new College Connect tool, which helps players pair their WTN with colleges and universities that will be of interest to the junior players. WTN has become the rating of the international tennis ecosystem, including for use by collegiate players aspiring to navigate their way successfully through the pathway to and into professional tennis.”

Future of College Tennis

As the WTN continues to evolve, ITA college tennis stands poised for further growth. The WTN’s potential for real-time updates and analytics means that coaches can make more informed decisions, ensuring that programmes remain competitive on a national scale.

Paul Lifton, Senior Project Manager at the ITF is excited for future developments: “With its innovative approach to player development, the WTN is proving to be a vital component in enhancing the landscape of college tennis. As ITA programmes continue to embrace this new era, the possibilities for growth, engagement, and success are boundless.”

For more information on the ITA College Connect Programme visit: wearecollegetennis.com.