What Level Am I?  How to Figure Out Your Pickleball Rating Using the DUPR and UTR-P Systems

What Level Am I? How to Figure Out Your Pickleball Rating Using the DUPR and UTR-P Systems

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the US and is gaining popularity internationally. Players of all skill levels play the game, and if you want to improve your game or compete in tournaments, understanding your pickleball rating is helpful. Two of the most popular systems used to rate pickleball players are the Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) system, which rhymes with “super,” and the Universal Tennis Rating-Pickleball (UTR-P) system. In this article, we’ll explore these systems, their unique features, and how you can determine your rating.

What is the DUPR System?

The DUPR system is a global rating system designed to measure a pickleball player’s skill level and is gaining widespread adoption in leagues and tournaments worldwide. It was developed by Steve Kunh, the founder of Major League Pickleball. 

The DUPR system calculates your rating using matches that are submitted through verified sources like tournaments or recreational leagues. Your rating is updated weekly. DUPR rates players on a scale from 2.0 to 8.0:

  • 2.0: Novice
  • 3.0: Intermediate recreational player
  • 4.0: Advanced recreational player
  • 5.0-8.0: High-level competitive player or professional

What is the UTR-P System?

The UTR-P is a well-established system initially created for tennis but has now been adapted for pickleball. Many large-scale tournaments and clubs use UTR-P to ensure players are matched with similarly skilled opponents. As of 2024, the UTR-P is the standard rating and ranking for USA Pickleball owned-and-operated events.

The UTR-P system calculates your rating using matches that are submitted. Your rating is refreshed every 24 hours. UTR-P rates players on a scale from 1.0 to 10.0:

  • 1.0: Beginner
  • 2.0: Social/Casual
  • 3.0: Intermediate
  • 4.0: Advanced
  • 5.0-10.0: Expert/Pro
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Similarities and Differences between DUPR and UTR-P

Similarities

Both systems consider the following factors when calculating your rating:

Match Outcomes: Did you win or lose? The margin of victory or defeat also plays a significant role in refining your rating.

Point Differential: What was the final score? By how much did you win or lose? Narrowly losing a match against a higher-rated opponent can still improve your rating.

Opponent Ratings: How did you perform against higher- or lower-rated players? Beating a higher-rated player will positively impact your rating more than defeating a lower-rated player. Conversely, losing to a lower-rated player can decrease your rating more significantly than losing to someone rated higher.

Consistency and Volume of Play: The systems look at your performance over time and adjust your ratings based on your most recent performances. Playing more matches also helps stabilize and refine your ratings.

Differences

Despite the similarities, there are some key differences between the two rating systems.

Sport-Specific Design: DUPR was designed specifically for pickleball, while UTR-P originated in tennis and was adapted for pickleball.

Rating Scale: DUPR uses a scale from 2.0 to 8.0 while UTR-P uses a scale from 1.0 to 10.0.

Provisional Ratings: The UTR-P offers a range of provisional ratings for new players who do not have enough experience for a verified rating.

How Do I Figure Out My DUPR and UTR-P Ratings?

  1. Create an Account: For DUPR, visit https://www.mydupr.com or download the DUPR app on your phone. For UTR-P, visit https://www.utrsports.net/ or download the UTR Sports app on your phone. If you’ve ever played in a pickleball tournament, you most likely already have a rating that you can claim. 
  2. Record Your Matches: Log your matches through the app or website. Include the scores, your partner (if playing doubles), and your opponents. The more matches you play, the more accurate your rating will be. Record both wins and losses for a fair rating.
  3. Play Matches Against Rated Players: Playing against opponents who already have ratings helps the system evaluate your skill level more quickly. The system gives more weight to matches where the skill levels of players are known.
  4. Let the Algorithms Calculate Your Rating: Once you enter your match results, your rating will be calculated automatically. Your rating may change after each match. Wins or close losses to stronger players will positively impact your rating.

Conclusion

Whether you play pickleball for fun or competitively, both the DUPR and UTR-P systems help you find suitable opponents at your skill level. You can also use them to track your progress, and now that many tournaments use ratings for seeding and brackets, it may be required if you hope to be a competitive player. Use these fantastic tools to figure out your rating and start improving your pickleball game!

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