The new PlayTennis.com website has updated its “find a court” search function. Those looking for courts can search by city/state or zip code, and results can be sorted by distance. Facilities returned in the search are color-coded by type: green are courts at public parks, blue are at schools/universities, and red are private tennis facilities, which are further divided into those that are only for members and those that accept non-members.
Facility and club listings include number of courts, whether they’re lighted or indoors, contact information, distance from your location, and satellite and Google map views. The find-a-court function also is mobile-friendly and will automatically resize to fit smartphones, making it easy to find a tennis court or facility when you’re on the road.
Consumers-and tennis providers such as facilities, park & rec agencies, retailers, tennis teaches, etc.-can go to PlayTennis.com and sign up for free. Consumers have access to searches for finding courts, players, programs, lessons and equipment, but they also can sign up to win free merchandise in monthly drawings that will continue into the spring. Hundreds of prizes will be distributed, including tickets to the 2014 US Open, autographed tennis racquets and merchandise from the game's biggest stars, and tennis equipment packages.
Prizes include merchandise signed by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova, John Isner, Ana Ivanovic, the Bryan Brothers and many other professional tennis players. The first drawing, to be held at the end of September, will feature a racquet signed by Wimbledon champion Andy Murray. In addition to signed merchandise, prize packages also include performance tennis racquets, tennis shoes and apparel, gear bags, string, magazine subscriptions and more.
“PlayTennis.com is a collaborative effort from tennis industry companies and organizations to help bring attention to tennis and get more people involved with the sport,” says Greg Mason, president of the Tennis Industry Association (TIA), which manages PlayTennis.com. “It’s a one-stop portal for all things tennis that has the support of industry manufacturers, retailers, facilities, the U.S. Tennis Association, teaching pro organizations, the pro tennis tours and many more companies and organizations. Directing consumers and fans to the site provides the opportunity for a single, unified message from all corners of the tennis industry: ‘Play tennis!’”
The consumer sign-up promotion and prize drawings, which run to April 2014, is free to enter, no purchase is necessary. Players simply visit PlayTennis.com, complete the registration, and submit a short entry form. Those in the industry who would like to help support the activation of PlayTennis.com can find a variety of free resources available for download at PlayTennis.com, including logos, banner ads, email template, social media messaging, and more.
