Third Court Wins Inaugural USTA Connect Innovation Challenge
September 6, 2026
NEW YORK, September 6, 2026 – Third Court, a platform that makes organizing and running social and casual tennis events seamless when players come and go, won the inaugural USTA Connect Innovation Challenge, taking home a $10,000 winner’s prize. Third Court was announced the winner of the Challenge at the annual USTA Connect networking event on Thursday, which welcomed representatives from more than 30 start-ups and 15 sports VCs to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
The first-ever Challenge – a nationwide open-call for startups and engineers to submit applications, products or other tech solutions that have a direct and positive impact on the game of tennis – received more than 120 submissions. A judging panel consisting of USTA leadership, sports industry venture capitalists and representation from US Open partner IBM narrowed the field to three finalists, which also included platforms HapticNav and Team Oasis.
Third Court, founded in St. Louis by Dom Marticorena, Mark Lu and Chris Wissmann, removes the high-friction barriers of traditional tennis leagues—rigid season schedules, attendance rules, skill-mismatched pairings – so that casual and health-focused players can simply show up to an “Open Play” time at their local courts, get matched with compatible peers instantly, and enjoy dynamic, stress-free social play.
USTA Connect is the USTA’s strategic technology partnership and data-sharing program designed to integrate the digital tennis landscape. For more information about USTA Connect and to see a full list of existing USTA Connect partners, please visit usta.com/ustaconnect.