Problem:

Playing tennis in New York City is tough and often confusing. It’s expensive, with limited court availability and high demand. The reservation systems are fragmented and inefficient—some are in-person, some online, and some are first-come, first-serve. Long wait times and early morning queues (starting as early as 6:30 am) are common. It’s also hard to find compatible playing partners, and there’s no centralized information about court availability and conditions.

User Research Insights:

• 15 survey respondents and 5 in-depth interviews revealed:

• Most users rate current court booking satisfaction low (1-3 on 5-point scale)

• Skill level matching is critical for partner finding (100% of responses)

• Real-time availability is the most desired feature

• Users struggle with decentralized information

• Current apps don't solve core issues, none provide real-time data

3 User Personas, one highlighting accessibility.

Solution:

This is the first centralized tennis app built specifically for NYC's complex court system. Through live cameras, we show you real-time court availability so you never waste a trip, and help you find playing partners at your skill level. 

A mobile app featuring:

1 - Real-time court availability via:

• Live "tennis cam" (think surf cam) for walk-on courts or

• Check-in system

2 - Consolidated court information:

• Map view with robust filters

• Clear reservation methods

• Permit requirements

• Historical “busyness” trends

3 - Player matching feature

4 - Event and tournament-finding feature

More research and mapping:

User Journey Mapping - View here

Affinity Mapping - View here

User Journey

Wireframing

after sketching with pen and paper.