30-Love: Apps from A to Z

From individuals to organizations, weekend warriors to professional players, minute observations to big-picture ideas, tennis has been top of mind across the board over the past two years.

“I feel like this is the tennis boom part two,” says Trey Waltke, general manager of the Malibu Racquet Club in southern California. “Everyone is talking tennis. Everyone is playing. People are rediscovering how great tennis is.”

Tennis shouldn’t rest on its laurels; the first boom didn’t last forever. But this is as good of an opportunity to reflect on what the sport has gotten right, during a time when so much has gone wrong.

Over the next few weeks, we'll do just that, with a series of stories—30-Love—that highlights 30 things worth celebrating about the New American Tennis Boom. Look for past articles on the left side of each page.—Ed McGrogan

With the tennis boom of the past two years came an onslaught of related smartphone applications. From reserving courts to finding players, booking lessons and even virtual training, this time has been a gold rush for those trying to capitalize on tennis’ new popularity.

One of the best apps was released in September 2021 by Universal Tennis (of UTR). The app specializes in connecting players of all skill levels, but it also offers “Paid Hits,” where anyone can see how they stack up against elite competition.

Then there’s Break the Love. After moving to New York City, BTL founder and CEO Trisha Goyal found it nearly impossible to immerse herself in her new area’s tennis community. So she created one herself, using the app. Break the Love offers group lessons, leagues and cardio-tennis, plus virtual lessons and guides from top pros in the area.

But the app has done more. It teamed up with Women’s Foot Locker and Coco Gauff to celebrate Women’s Equality Day, and collaborated with Wilson and fashion company Kith to donate a refurbished court made from recycled tennis balls in Queens, to help grow and promote the game in underserved communities.