NTRP Appeal Granted vs Denied: What the Result Means
A granted NTRP appeal means your hidden rating fell inside the USTA appeal range for the direction you chose, so your level changes immediately. A denied appeal means your rating was outside that range, so nothing changes. Neither result reveals your exact two-decimal rating; it only tells you which side of an edge you are on. Both outcomes are final, so the result is a yes or no rather than a detailed report on your rating.
What a granted appeal tells you
When TennisLink grants your appeal, it has confirmed that your hidden rating sits close enough to the relevant band edge to qualify. If you appealed up, your rating was near the top of your current level. If you appealed down, it was near the floor that puts you in the level below.
What a grant does not tell you is the exact figure. You learn only that you were inside the allowed range, not by how much. The change applies right away to your published level and to future registrations, and it cannot be reversed.
What a denied appeal tells you
A denial means your hidden rating was outside the appeal range for the direction you picked. If you appealed up and were denied, your rating was not high enough within your band to reach the next level. If you appealed down and were denied, your rating was too high to drop.
A denial is still information. It narrows down where your hidden number sits, because it rules out the slice near the edge you tried for. It does not give you the number, and it does not say how far off you were, but it confirms you are not near that particular edge.
Why the result is binary
The appeal is automated and returns only Granted or Denied. There is no committee, no written explanation, and no disclosure of your two-decimal rating. The USTA keeps that number private to prevent manipulation, so the appeal tool is built to answer one narrow question rather than to report your standing.
That is why estimating beforehand is valuable. Since the result tells you so little and cannot be undone, it helps to approximate where your rating likely sits before you commit. This site estimates how close you are to a band edge, so a Granted or Denied outcome is something you can anticipate rather than a surprise.
Frequently asked questions
If my appeal is denied, do I find out my actual rating?
No. A denial only tells you that your rating was outside the appeal range for the direction you tried. It does not reveal your two-decimal number or how close you came.
Can a granted appeal be reversed if I change my mind?
No. A granted appeal is final and takes effect immediately. The level change stays in place, so be sure before you submit.
Unofficial. NTRP and USTA are trademarks of the United States Tennis Association; this site is independent and not affiliated with the USTA. Your official rating lives in TennisLink.