USTA Tennis Link Website
- Thread starter XM1014
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schmke
Legend
You are right, it is particularly bad for searching for tournaments which is unfortunate if that contributes to the decline of players playing in them. While it is perhaps "better" for Leagues, it still isn't great.
There has been discussion of a redo for years, I "think" it will really happen this time around but couldn't tell you any time frames.
There has been discussion of a redo for years, I "think" it will really happen this time around but couldn't tell you any time frames.
5sets
Hall of Fame
McLovin
Legend
A friend of mine who works for Deloitte mentioned to me last year that they (Deloitte) were redoing the whole site for them. According to this article, its been in the works for a couple years:
It's a dinosaur. I haven't searched for any tourneys lately, but the challenge is usually how precise you must be with search terms (often w/o any indication about required precision).
My hope is that they aren't going to "update" in the sense that it's a refresh of the existing framework. It would be better if they keep the backend and entirely replace that front end to something from this decade. To be clear, that's not hyperbole, it's got a ton of mid 2000s design elements.
I'm assuming Deloitte subcontracts the actual work out.
Related point - It amuses me that the article said someone asked why the USTA didn't have IBM redesign the site because they're a sponsor.
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am1899
Legend
Tennislink is one of the biggest steaming piles of crap I’ve ever encountered.
But there may be an end in site. I was at an event a few weeks back where Katrina Adams was asked about it. She said USTA is replacing Tennislink, and that they are in the process of testing the new software. Cross your fingers.
But there may be an end in site. I was at an event a few weeks back where Katrina Adams was asked about it. She said USTA is replacing Tennislink, and that they are in the process of testing the new software. Cross your fingers.
McLovin
Legend
Why would you assume that? Deloitte is not just an accounting firm. They have many developers in their employ (I know, I was one a few years back).
Are they gonna publish and Android app too?
tennis tom
Legend
She's doing a world-wide personal search for webmasters, holding interviews at the majors, and opening a few more 100 court campuses for USA player development--she's got a lot on her plate.
BTW, why do they have to waste band-width with the court dimensions and the color of the balls--"78' court/yellow ball" ?
In all my dealings with them, they've lead the project and subcontracted the development. I suppose it depends on the work being done relative to in-house expertise.
McLovin
Legend
Understandable. They are a big firm, and the division I was in (Federal Government Services) had many developers. I suppose other divisions may subcontract out stuff.
My friend said the Orlando office is full of "stereotypical web developers" (or "my kind of people" as he put it), which is where I'd assume the work would be done.
am1899
Legend
Good question. I’m afraid I don’t know the answer. It was a quick Q&A session, so she didn’t elaborate much, other than to acknowledge USTA knows we know Tennislink is a joke, and they are working on a solution (and are currently testing in a few cities). I think she mentioned the name of the new system, but I don’t remember what she said.
am1899
Legend
She’s no longer President of USTA, so I suspect that has taken some off her plate. But it sounded to me like when she’s not home, she stays pretty busy traveling to speaking engagements, clinics, pro-am’s, etc.
Maybe they think we’ll forget.
Makes sense with why USTA would say they were a good fit too.
I would hope that any significant redesign of your web presence includes app support for iOS and Android. Otherwise you need to replace the person in charge of the project.
am1899
Legend
Because she lacks intelligence?
Or because nobody at USTA cares about leagues, improving members’ experiences, etc?
Either way, I chuckled.
am1899
Legend
Don’t jinx it. If there’s something USTA is good at, its effing things up.
This.
am1899
Legend
I’m generally of the same opinion.
mikeler
Moderator
You should move down here and help program the site.
CosmosMpower
Hall of Fame
Website is trash. For the 40 bucks they collect a year and the minimal services they provide to me as a member you'd think they could at least hire someone to build a decent website.
S&V-not_dead_yet
Talk Tennis Guru
I search by entering a zip code and sorting by distance. That usually gives me usable results.
S&V-not_dead_yet
Talk Tennis Guru
I'll play Devil's Advocate: the website is functional and I've learned its quirks. It doesn't stand out as being terrible to use.
Quibbles: undefined tournament acronyms like "pc" [player conflict], "wd" [withdrew], "wo" [walkover], and initially seemingly gibberish like
$59.63 per player for MW(Op)s,SE.
$38.13 for MW(Op)d,SE; X(Op)d,SE.
$45.65 for M(50-65)s,SE.
$41.35 per player for NMW(3.5-4.5)s,SE.
$33.00 per player for NMW(3.5-4.5)d,SE; NX(3.5-4.5)d,SE.
Quibbles: undefined tournament acronyms like "pc" [player conflict], "wd" [withdrew], "wo" [walkover], and initially seemingly gibberish like
$59.63 per player for MW(Op)s,SE.
$38.13 for MW(Op)d,SE; X(Op)d,SE.
$45.65 for M(50-65)s,SE.
$41.35 per player for NMW(3.5-4.5)s,SE.
$33.00 per player for NMW(3.5-4.5)d,SE; NX(3.5-4.5)d,SE.
heninfan99
Talk Tennis Guru
$17.9 million for the new site...now I know why captains don't even get a free hat.
