Every first Tuesday of the month, thousands of players open Ten'Up to discover their new ranking. But how does the French Tennis Federation (FFT) calculate it? Here are the rules, step by step, with a numbered example.
A ranking recalculated every month
Since October 2022, the FFT publishes a single ranking each month, calculated based on your results from the last 12 rolling months. It is released on the first Tuesday of the month (the second in case of a public holiday), and you can move up with each publication.
All official matches count: tournaments, individual and team championships, and friendly matches. The ranking of your opponent taken into account is the one on the day of the match.
The ranking scale
- 5th series: 40/2 and 40/1, created in July 2025. They are obtained by the number of wins: 4 for 40/2, 8 for 40/1.
- 4th series: 40, 30/5, 30/4, 30/3, 30/2, 30/1.
- 3rd series: 30, 15/5, 15/4, 15/3, 15/2, 15/1.
- 2nd series: from 15 to -15, then the top numbered players.
- 1st series: the top 30 male players and the top 20 female players in France.
To reach 40, you need 12 wins, or to beat a player ranked 40 on a green or yellow court, or win a doubles match "in performance."
Step 1: Each win earns points
Points are counted relative to the level you are aiming for, not your current ranking:
- Opponent ranked 2 levels or more above: 120 points;
- 1 level above: 90 points;
- Same level: 60 points;
- 1 level below: 30 points;
- 2 levels below: 20 points;
- 3 levels below: 15 points;
- 4 levels below or more: 0 points.
A walkover (w.o.) win earns no points. A loss never deducts points.
Step 2: Only your best wins count
The FFT only keeps a limited number of wins: 6 from 30/5 to 30/1, 8 from 30 to 15/1, 9 from 15 to 4/6, and more as you move up.
This number increases if you lose few matches, according to the formula W − L − 2I − 5G:
- W: your wins;
- L: your losses against a player at the level you are aiming for;
- I: your losses against a player ranked one level below;
- G: your losses against a player ranked two levels or more below.
In the 4th series, you gain one additional retained win for every 5 points, up to 6. In the 3rd series, one more from 0, 8, 15, 23, 30, and 40 points. In the 2nd series, a very negative result can instead reduce them.
Step 3: Bonuses
- No significant loss (no losses against a player at the level you are aiming for or below): +50 points at 30/2 and 30/1 after 5 matches, +50 in the 3rd series after 10 matches, +100 in the 2nd series after 10 matches.
- Individual championships: +15 points per win in the 4th series, +20 in the 3rd series, +25 in the 2nd series.
- Doubles wins: a few points per win, depending on the ranking of both pairs.
Step 4: Reaching the standard
To be ranked at a level, your total must reach its standard. For the 2027 season, for men and then women:
- 30/4: 70 points; 30/3: 120; 30/2: 170; 30/1: 210;
- 30: 285 and 265 points;
- 15/5: 305 and 295; 15/4: 315 and 305; 15/3: 325 and 305;
- 15/2: 335 and 325; 15/1: 360 and 345;
- 15: 420 and 385 points.
You must also have beaten at least one player already ranked at that level, on a green or yellow court and not by walkover.
Conversely, the drop is limited to one level over 12 months, except in case of penalties, for example, if there are too many walkovers.
A numbered example
A player ranked 30/1 is aiming for 30. Over 12 months, they have won 14 matches (3 against 30s, 3 against 30/1s, 4 against 30/2s, 2 against 30/3s, 2 against 30/4s) and lost 3 (2 against 30s, 1 against a 30/1).
- Formula: 14 − 2 − 2 × 1 = 10, so 2 more wins: they keep their 10 best.
- Points: 3 × 60 + 3 × 30 + 4 × 20 = 350 points.
- 350 exceeds the standard of 285, and they have beaten 30s: they are ranked 30 in the next publication.
Calculate with your own results
Instead of counting by hand, use the ranking simulator from Sportwhen: enter your wins and losses, and estimate your next ranking. The "Load an example" button even uses the exact example from this article.
The simulator also covers other sports and countries: padel, badminton, or squash, and tennis in Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, or Italy, among others.
Find partners at your level
Knowing your ranking is good; playing balanced matches is better. Indicate your ranking in your profile to find partners at your level near you. And to discover everything Sportwhen offers, read our introduction article.
Your official ranking remains the one published by the FFT in your Ten'Up report, which details your calculation.
Cover photo: Matthias David on Unsplash
