From PlayTennisLA toDoyouplay
Why we rebuilt everything from scratch
Why we built Doyouplay
PlayTennisLA proved LA players wanted better partner matching, but we kept hearing the same frustrations: slow responses, geographic limitations, and a desktop experience in a mobile world. So we didn't just update PlayTennisLA. We reimagined what tennis partner matching should be in 2025.
The wake-up call that changed everything
After two years of running PlayTennisLA, the user feedback was clear
"I messaged someone 3 hours ago and they still haven't responded. Is this match happening or not?"
"Moving to Phoenix for the winter. Guess I'm back to posting on Facebook groups."
"Why do I have to be at my computer to find tennis partners? It's 2025."
These weren't edge cases. They were the daily reality for thousands of players.
PlayTennisLA had proven the concept, but the execution wasn't matching what modern tennis players actually needed.
What we learned (and what we built)
The real-time problem
PlayTennisLA reality:
Check email, hope someone responded, refresh the website, maybe get a match.
Doyouplay solution:
Push notifications the second someone accepts. Know immediately if your 4 PM match is confirmed or if you need backup plans.
Why this matters:
Tennis scheduling is time-sensitive. "Maybe later" kills momentum and leaves courts empty.
The mobile-first problem
PlayTennisLA reality:
Desktop website that barely worked on phones. Finding partners required sitting at a computer.
Doyouplay solution:
Native iOS app built for one-handed use while walking to the court. Find partners, confirm matches, and chat without ever opening a laptop.
Why this matters:
Tennis is spontaneous. The best matches happen when someone's already heading to the court and needs a partner.
The geography problem
PlayTennisLA reality:
Amazing for LA locals, useless everywhere else. Business trips and relocations meant starting over.
Doyouplay solution:
Your profile works in all 50 states. Winter in Arizona, summer in New York, business trip to Austin. Your tennis network travels with you.
Why this matters:
Tennis players move, travel, and explore. Your partner network shouldn't be trapped in one city.
Side-by-side: Real problems, real solutions
| What players told us they needed | PlayTennisLA | Doyouplay |
|---|---|---|
| "I need to know NOW if we're playing" | Email notifications (easy to miss) | Instant push notifications + real-time status |
| "I'm always on my phone, not my computer" | Desktop website | Native mobile app with offline features |
| "I travel for work/winter/life" | LA only | All 50 states with auto-location switching |
| "I want to join games, not just organize them" | Manual coordination | "I've booked, need partner" + join existing games |
| "I'm tired of flaky players" | No accountability system | Activity streaks, reliability scores, community moderation |
| "Group coordination is a nightmare" | Email chains and DMs | In-app group chats with court booking integration |
"I need to know NOW if we're playing"
"I'm always on my phone, not my computer"
"I travel for work/winter/life"
"I want to join games, not just organize them"
"I'm tired of flaky players"
"Group coordination is a nightmare"
The numbers don't lie
PlayTennisLA stats that worried us
Doyouplay results after 6 months
The difference isn't just features. It's fundamentally different outcomes for players.
Why people switched
"I used to check PlayTennisLA twice a day hoping someone responded to my posts. Now I get notifications instantly and actually play 3x per week instead of hoping to play once."
"PlayTennisLA was useless when I traveled. Doyouplay works everywhere. Found great partners in Denver, Austin, and Miami without starting over each time."
"The mobile app makes everything easier. I can browse partners on the subway, confirm matches between meetings, and actually feel confident someone will show up."
Why we rebuilt instead of updated
Option 1: Keep improving PlayTennisLA incrementally
- • Add mobile features to desktop site
- • Slowly expand to new cities
- • Hope the foundation could handle modern needs
Option 2: Start fresh with everything we learned
- • Mobile-first architecture from day one
- • Real-time infrastructure built for instant communication
- • Nationwide scalability designed from the ground up
We chose option 2 because tennis players deserved better than "good enough."
What happens to PlayTennisLA users?
If you like PlayTennisLA
It's still live and maintained.
If you're frustrated with PlayTennisLA
Download Doyouplay and see why thousands have made the switch.
If you're new to both
Start with Doyouplay. It's everything PlayTennisLA was supposed to be.
We imported LA profiles (with permission) so your network comes with you. No starting over, no lost connections.
Ready to see the difference?
The evolution from PlayTennisLA to Doyouplay isn't just about better features. It's about finally building the tennis community platform that matches how people actually want to play tennis today.
Explore LA tennis courts
Your neighbors
are looking for someone to playwith right now
are looking for someone to play
Tennis players looking for matches
Matt M (2.5)
Location: Los Angeles
Looking to play Echo Park anytime during the week
Mose (2.5)
Location: Brentwood
I’ve booked a court in Westwood today 6-7pm. Let me know if you’re available!
idanjaffe60 (3.5)
Let’s play today in weho of West La!
Max M (3.0)
Location: Rancho Park
Anyone free to play this evening at Penmar Rec?
Ivan (3.0)
Location: Brooklyn
Looking to play in or around East Village
Ethan Day (2.5)
Location: East Hollywood
If anyone is into art, looking for a steady coworking buddy (separate projects). Assemblage Artist: IG @ethanboydday. Helps me concentrate. Friends moved in the past 5 months.
Karam H (3.5)
Location: Los Angeles
Looking for a game around mar vista today at 4:30PM?
Kim (3.5)
Location: Glendale
Rallies at Riverside?
David (3.5)
Location: Hollywood
Open to playing today (Tuesday). Poinsettia, Echo Park, etc.
Elina Shaffy (2.0)
🎾 Looking for Doubles or Aggressive Rallies This weekend @ MRC – late afternoon (Sat or Sun) ✅ 3.0+ players and up ✅ Fast-paced, focused, fun ✅ Open to mixed, men’s, or women’s doubles ✅ Prefer players who actually want to win points (not just tap it around) DM me.
Alejandra (3.0)
Open to play tennis. Want to play more consistently.
Afif (4.5)
Single, doubles, flexible time
Mihri (3.0)
I play Gallup Park after work
Sheldon (3.5)
Location: Alhambra
Looking for a singles hit 4pm @Almansor Park (Alhambra CA) text me 3.0-4.0 Male/Female/Non-Bin) (213) 291-5030
Brian (3.5)
Looking for singles. New to the area would love to check out some courts.
Adit Dileep (3.5)
Location: Garvey
Weekdays after July 4th?
Morris (4.0)
Location: Del Aire
I typically just rally and don't play sets. I'm in El Segundo so I play anywhere from South Bay to Santa Monica. Ready to play Today!!
Stacy (3.0)
Location: Los Angeles
About a 3. Love doubles but play singles, as well.
Erik Adams (3.0)
Available to rally Saturday - Riverside, Scholl, Vermont… hit me up
Nalini Arora (3.0)
Location: Downtown Los Angeles
Have tennis lined up for the week but open for the weekend.
Find your next tennis partner
We built exactly what you need to start playing. Safe, easy, zero friction.
- Connect through chat
- Our chat system makes it easy to connect with other tennis players directly.
- All skill levels welcome
- From beginners buying their first racket to seasoned 5.0 players, everyone can find suitable partners.
- It's free
- Enjoy all the benefits with no fees. Finding tennis partners has never been easier.
