A rating, not a ranking
A USTA ranking measures what a junior earned: points for rounds reached and wins, from their 6 best tournaments. WTN estimates how well they play. A junior can gain ranking points and see their WTN drop in the same week, and that isn't a contradiction.
WTN is one scale for every player of any age or gender, so two players with the same WTN should have a competitive match. Each player has a separate singles and doubles WTN. It is free, and ratings publish every Wednesday.
A US junior gets a WTN automatically by playing tournament or league matches; there is no signup. Coach Ace doesn't show WTN.
How WTN moves
Before a match, the two players' WTNs predict how it should go. Afterward, each rating moves by the gap between that prediction and what happened. Beat the prediction and the WTN improves; fall short and it gets worse.
So a junior can win and see their WTN get worse, if they were expected to win easily and it was close. They can also lose and improve, by pushing a much stronger player further than expected.
Tournament level doesn't matter to WTN: a Level 7 win and a Level 1 win count the same way. The opponent's rating is what matters. A default doesn't count for WTN; a retirement counts once a set has been completed.
What changed on August 12, 2026
Only the last three years of results count now, fading out gradually rather than all at once.
Every game counts: a 6-4 set and a 6-0 set are no longer the same result.
A small adjustment reflects juniors' natural improvement over time.
A player who hasn't competed for more than a year may see a small, gradual drop.
In doubles, the partner's rating no longer factors in.
Common questions
Is WTN the same as a USTA ranking?
No. WTN rates how well a player plays; a USTA ranking adds up the points they earned at tournaments. The two can move in opposite directions.
What is a good WTN?
The scale runs from 40 to 1: 40 is closer to a beginner, and 1 is the level of the world's best professionals. Lower is stronger.
Why did my junior's WTN go down after a win?
WTN moves by how the result compares with what was expected. A close win when an easy one was expected can lower it.
Does tournament level affect WTN?
No. A Level 7 win and a Level 1 win count the same way; the opponent's rating is what matters.
How does a junior get a WTN?
Automatically, by playing tournament or league matches. There is no signup.
Does WTN decide who gets into USTA junior tournaments?
Rarely. A few tournaments select by rating, but most pick by ranking, by order of entry, or by the director.
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