Tennis is one of those sports that ticks all the boxes: it’s great for fitness, sharpens your mind, and offers social connection. But for many players — beginners and veterans alike — the biggest barrier isn’t motivation, equipment, or court access.
It’s simply finding someone to play with – a tennis partner!
At Appsleisure, we’ve seen this issue across countless venues: people want to play, but they’re held back by the lack of a playing partner. In this post, we’ll unpack why that’s such a common problem, how it affects player engagement, and what venues can do to fix it — fast.
The Real Barrier: Connection, Not Court
You need at least one other person to play tennis, ideally someone with a similar skill level and availability. But while courts and clubs are widely available, the social infrastructure to help people connect just isn’t there.
Here’s why:
- Limited tennis network
Most people don’t have a ready-made group of friends who play regularly. If you’re not part of a tennis circle already, it’s hard to break in. - Mismatch in skill levels
Beginners hesitate to play with more experienced players, and vice versa. Without a way to filter and match by level, players often give up trying. - Scheduling headaches
Even when you do know someone, coordinating a time that works for both can be a challenge — especially without a proper scheduling tool. - Disconnected venues
Clubs and sports centres often rely on outdated systems like noticeboards or email lists to help members connect. These just don’t work anymore.
Why This Hurts Sports Venues
For tennis venues, the cost is more than just empty courts. When players can’t find tennis partners, they play less. That means:
- Lower court usage
- Declining membership engagement
- Missed opportunities for events and social activity
Even with the post-pandemic surge in interest in tennis, many venues aren’t equipped to meet the demand in a modern, user-friendly way.
Where Appsleisure Comes In
Appsleisure was designed to solve this exact issue. Our platform gives venues a fully branded mobile app tailored for their members — helping players find each other, organise matches, and get more out of the club.
It’s a social layer built for sports communities, and it works especially well for tennis.
Features That Make a Difference
- Matchmaking by skill and availability
Players can list their level and when they’re free — the app does the rest. - In-app booking
Members can reserve courts directly in the app, making it easy to go from chat to match. - Group chats and clubs
Create chat groups for “Weekend Doubles” or “Beginner Practice” to foster real community. - Event promotion
Share tournaments, socials, and lessons through the app’s events tab to boost attendance and excitement.
Real Results from Real Clubs
A tennis venue in the UK adopted Appsleisure in early 2025. Just three months later:
- Court usage rose by 27%
- Member satisfaction (based on NPS) jumped significantly
- Lapsed members returned because they finally had someone to play with
That’s the kind of impact a strong digital community can create.
FAQs
Does it work for beginners who don’t know anyone?
Yes — that’s exactly who it helps. Players are matched by level and can join beginner-focused groups.
Is Appsleisure only for tennis?
Not at all. It works for squash, padel, badminton, and more. But tennis remains a core strength of the platform.
What if our venue already has a booking system?
Appsleisure can integrate with existing systems or offer a built-in one. Its real value lies in connecting players and building community.
Is there a cost for players?
That’s up to the venue. Because Appsleisure is white-label, clubs can decide how to offer it — as a member perk or an add-on.
Final Word
There’s no shortage of people who want to play tennis. But without a tennis partner, many just don’t show up.
If your venue isn’t solving the connection problem, you’re likely losing out on revenue, retention, and growth. Appsleisure changes that by giving your community an easy way to connect, schedule, and play — all under your brand.
Tennis should be a social sport — not a solo mission. Let’s make it easier for people to play.and find a tennis partner
