Skill Levels
Gladiator Tennis leagues cater to all types of players from beginner to elite. Within each league, Gladiators are matched with competitors who are at a similar skill level to ensure fair, competitive play.
Review the descriptions below to assign yourself a rating when you sign up.
Adult Singles Levels
Gladiator singles leagues are based on industry standard NTRP ratings.
2.5 Beginner
As a new tennis player, you're developing the ability to judge where the ball is going, although your court coverage needs improvement. You can sustain a short, slow-paced rally with players of similar ability but may struggle to keep the ball in play. Your serving is still in progress, and you're learning the basics of court positioning.
3.0 Beginner Intermediate
As a tennis player gaining confidence, you're fairly consistent with medium-paced shots but still working on comfort with all strokes and achieving directional control, depth, and power. You can rally more consistently, and your serve is becoming more reliable as you begin to grasp basic strategy, court positioning, and scoring.
3.5 Intermediate
You have a reliable all-court game with improved stroke dependability, directional control, and court coverage. You're sustaining longer rallies, using controlled power, topspin, and slice. You're comfortable serving, returning, and volleying, with more aggressive net play.
4.0 Intermediate Advanced
You have dependable strokes with directional control and depth on forehand and backhand sides. You can rally from the baseline with depth and control, hit winners more frequently, and use lobs, overheads, approach shots, and volleys effectively. Your serve is reliable, and you're developing strategic play, court awareness, and positioning.
4.5 Advanced
You're mastering power and spins, handling pace, controlling shot depth, and varying your game plan according to opponents. With strong serves and returns, you dictate play from baseline and net, employ strategic play, and demonstrate good court coverage, making effective use of angles and spin.*
5.0 Advanced Elite
As an advanced tennis player with excellent technique and court awareness, you masterfully hit winners, force errors, and execute a wide array of shots like lobs, smashes, and volleys. You have a strong serve, anticipate opponents' moves, and adapt your game with strategic precision.*
5.5+ Elite
As a highly advanced player, often with Division I College, ITF, or futures experience, you possess superior technique, court awareness, and strategic understanding. With a UTR rating above 9.0, you consistently execute winning shots, have a dominant serve, excel at net play, and adapt your game effectively against opponents.*
*4.5, 5.0 and 5.5+ Elite women may be integrated into the men’s divisions if there aren't enough female players at this level for a standalone division.
Adult Doubles Levels
Gladiator doubles leagues are based on the combined NTRP rating of the two players on the team.
6.0 Beginner
These players are just starting to play tennis and are still developing their basic strokes and court awareness. They are learning the fundamentals of doubles play, such as positioning and communication.
7.0 Intermediate
These players have a good grasp of the basic strokes and can sustain a rally. They are developing their doubles strategy and teamwork, and are becoming more consistent with their shots.
8.0 Advanced
These players have a solid foundation in doubles play and are able to execute a variety of shots with consistency and accuracy. They are comfortable with more advanced strategies and tactics, and are able to adapt their game to different opponents.
9.0+ Elite
These players are among the best doubles players in the area, having mastered many aspects of the game and competing at the highest level. They possess exceptional skill, strategic thinking, and competitiveness.
For players 18 and under
High School and Junior Levels
When placing juniors and high schoolers in Gladiator Tennis levels, we take into account players' tennis experience and the high school at which they play or plan to play.
Learn more about High School & Junior leagues and events here.
Getting Started (Beginner)
- Open to all players 18 and under with a focus on those with no structured competition experience
- Can sustain a rally and knows the rules, but has rarely competed
Junior Varsity (Intermediate)
- Previous competition experience
- Expected to play on freshman, sophomore, or JV high school teams
- Grouped by UTR (typically 3.0 and below) or place in lineup; will play others at a similar level
Varsity (Experienced)
- Prior tournament, league, or team competition
- Expected to play on a varsity high school team
- Grouped by UTR or place in lineup; will play others at a similar level
Varsity Elite (Advanced)
- Extensive tournament, league, or team competition
- UTR of 6.0 and above
Unsure of your Level?
No worries! Select "Not Sure" at checkout. After you register, our league commissioner will personally contact you to discuss your tennis experience and, if needed, offer a free Ratings Match to ensure you're placed in a league that's just right for you!