USTA Launches Free Social Networking App for LGBT Tennis Players

The USTA has partnered with award-winning global provider of mobile event applications DoubleDutch to develop the “LGBT Tennis network,” a free social networking app to connect LGBT tennis players and their friends, family and allies. It also participated in Pride Parades in New York City and San Francisco over the weekend.

As part of the USTA’s commitment to fostering an environment that is fully inclusive and inviting to all people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, orientation or socioeconomic status, the national governing body will have a presence at this year’s Pride Parades for the first time in the organization’s history.

Representatives from the USTA’s national office will march in the New York City Pride Parade, while staff from the USTA Northern California section will march in the San Francisco Pride Parade. The day will also mark a full launch of the “LGBT Tennis Network” app, where both groups will provide promotional materials and giveaways to parade participants.

“The USTA is excited to celebrate LGBT Pride Month at this year’s Pride Parades in New York and San Francisco,” said D.A. Abrams, Chief Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Officer, USTA. “Diversity and Inclusion is a strategic priority and core value at the USTA, and our presence at both parades is a clear example of how the organization embraces and encourages diversity outreach efforts. We are proud that our staff and volunteers will be on hand to promote our newly developed social networking app that will connect and foster a community with fellow LGBT tennis players. At the USTA, we see D&I as being everyone’s responsibility, as our sport continues to be in the forefront of inclusiveness and engaging with the LGBT community.”

“I applaud the USTA for this historic moment in the history of its organization,” said Tennis Hall of Famer

and activist Billie Jean King. “Tennis is a sport that’s fun for everyone and I’m thrilled the USTA is working to make the game more accessible for all members of the LGBT community.”

Earlier this year, the USTA partnered with DoubleDutch to develop the “LGBT Tennis Network” app. Through the use of mobile technology, the app will provide the LGBT community with greater access to

the national tennis community. Members will have an opportunity to find hitting partners in their area, post photos, chat with other users, register for tournaments and learn about upcoming tennis events in their communities.

"DoubleDutch is excited to partner with the USTA to launch the LGBT Tennis Network app," said Lawrence Coburn, CEO of DoubleDutch. "By harnessing the power of mobile, USTA is creating a national community of players, providing unprecedented access and exposure to the sport. We hope that  through the app, USTA will be able to engage new members and foster even greater inclusivity and acceptance." The app is available to download in the App Store by searching under LGBT Tennis Network.

The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level – from local communities to the highest level of the professional game.

A not-for-profit organization with more than 715,000 members, it invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, the highest-attended annual sporting event in the world, and launched the Emirates Airline US Open Series, linking eight summer tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns approximately 90 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S. and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA’s philanthropic entity, the USTA Foundation, provides grants and scholarships and helps under-resourced youth and individuals with disabilities, and supports wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans and their families. For more information on the USTA, log on to usta.com, “like” the official Facebook page, facebook.com/usta, or follow @usta on Twitter.

DoubleDutch is an award-winning global provider of mobile event applications, with a unique focus on capturing and surfacing data from live events. The first to bring a data-driven technology approach to the event industry, DoubleDutch excels at processing vast amounts of mobile app engagement data into action to better serve customers, partners, and other event stakeholders. Companies like SAP, Forbes, LinkedIn, DocuSign, Novartis, UBM, and Estee Lauder, rely on DoubleDutch to engage their audience through mobile. For more information, go to www.doubledutch.me.