UNIVERSAL SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR DETERMINING A TENNIS PLAYER RATING AND RANKING

Systems, methods and computer program products for objectively determining tennis player rankings and rating levels for a broad range of tennis players, from novice amateurs to top-ranked professionals, on a single continuum are disclosed. Player-specific match outcome data stored in an electronic archive database are communicated to an electronic processing element that calculates player rankings and rating levels. Updated player-specific data is then communicated back to the electronic archive database for storage. The disclosed ranking and rating process evaluates each player's body of work, including the results of his/her most recent match. The disclosed ranking and rating process uniquely provides a methodology for objectively factoring in, and applying different ranking-calculating weight to, various match characteristics that influence the reliability of match results, such as match format, the number of times a player has played the same opponent, and the reliability of the accuracy of the opponent's ranking.