The UTR-P Rating is a modified elo rating system that promotes fair and competitive play across the pickleball world. Players are rated based on actual results, not age, gender, nationality, or socioeconomic status.
When you understand your skill level, you can find hits, events, and tournaments where you’ll have fun, play competitive pickleball, and improve your game. All you need to know is your UTR-P Rating!
What is a UTR-P Rating? Why should I have one?
UTR-P Rating is a number that provides a real and accurate measurement of skill level. A player’s UTR-P is a number between 1.00 and 10.00.
One match result is all it takes to receive a projected UTR-P Rating. After approximately five matches, the rating becomes fully reliable. As matches are played and entered into the system, a player’s UTR-P will increase or decrease over time as per the following methodology.
How is it calculated?
For each match, the algorithm calculates a match rating and a match weight for each player. A player’s UTR Rating is the weighted average of up to 60 of their most recent match ratings. Up to 60 of your most recent matches from 2022-current day count toward your UTR-P.
Calculating Match Rating
Two factors are considered when calculating the match rating. The first factor is the UTR-P Rating difference between opponents. The second factor is the competitiveness of the match, as determined by the percent of total games won.
Given the UTR-P Rating difference, the algorithm expects a certain percent of total games won. The player who performs better than the algorithm’s expectation will see their match rating go up while the other player’s match rating will go down. When one player’s match rating increases, the other player’s match rating decreases by the same amount.
Note: If the two players have a different number of matches counting toward their rating, the overall UTR-P Rating may not increase or decrease by the same amount.
Calculating Match Weight
The following factors are used in the match weight calculation:
Competitiveness – As the UTR-P Rating difference between players increases, less weight is given. For example, imagine a player with a UTR-P of 6.00. A match played against an opponent with a UTR-P Rating of 5.50 or 6.50 receives more weight than a match played against an opponent with a UTR-P of 5.00 or 7.00.
Reliability – As the reliability of the opponent’s UTR-P Rating increases, more weight is given. A match played against an opponent who competes often and thus has a reliable UTR-P Rating receives more weight.
Time Degradation – As prior matches get older, less weight is given. Since the algorithm is a representation of the current form, it gives more credit to matches played within the last few months.
Ways to Improve Your UTR-P Rating
Play Well – Performing well in matches is the easiest way to improve your UTR-P Rating. If the match is out of hand, don’t give up! It does not matter whether you play higher- or lower-rated opponents; you can improve your UTR-P either way by winning more games than expected.
Play Often – The more matches you play, the quicker your UTR-P Rating will reflect your current form. The algorithm is especially accurate for those who play often against a variety of opponents rated above and below you.
Be Patient – Since your UTR-P Rating is a rolling weighted average, the effect of new results is slightly lagged. Your UTR-P Rating may not fully reflect a recent outcome right away, but it will over time.
If something seems off with your UTR-P Rating, please send us a note here, and our team will review it.
Our data scientists would love to hear your feedback. You can share your thoughts and insights with them here.