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- Crane Club Players Dinner: DraftKings and David Grutman Host a Star-Studded Night
- Waldorf Astoria Invitational: Tennis Meets Timeless Luxury
- Palace Invitational at Lotte New York Palace: Competitive Play and a Trophy Moment
- Pickleball and Boutique Matches: Hyatt, Baccarat and Park Terrace Take the Spotlight
- Who Turned Up Where: A Quick Guide to Celebrity Sightings
- Brands, Sponsorships and the Social Side of the US Open
The 2026 US Open kicked off in New York with as much glamour off court as intensity on it. VIP dinners, ballroom exhibitions and celebrity charity matches spread across the city, turning the tournament week into a nonstop social circuit. From Crane Club soirées to chandelier-lit show courts, tennis stars mingled with entertainers and influencers, giving fans fresh moments beyond Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Crane Club Players Dinner: DraftKings and David Grutman Host a Star-Studded Night
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One of the first high-profile openings to the city’s US Open week was a players dinner hosted by David Grutman and DraftKings at the Crane Club. The event gathered top players and famous faces for an intimate evening.
- Serena Williams and Coco Gauff posed together, drawing major attention.
- Men’s stars in attendance included Matteo Berrettini and Taylor Fritz.
- Other notable guests were Aryna Sabalenka, Paige Paul and event organizer David Grutman.
The mood blended industry networking with casual fun. Food, drinks and conversation flowed while guests prepared for tournament play or media obligations the next day.
Waldorf Astoria Invitational: Tennis Meets Timeless Luxury
At the Waldorf Astoria, a ballroom tennis invitational transformed the hotel’s gilded space into a makeshift court. Players traded baseline rallies for a softer, exhibition-style showcase under the hotel’s iconic chandeliers.
Players and personalities who showed up
- Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton took part in matches and fan interactions.
- Maria Sakkari and Leylah Fernandez also joined the invite-only evening.
- Fashion and media figures, including Anna Wintour, mingled with athletes and organizers.
Photographers captured players warming up in formalwear and sharing lighthearted moments between points, offering a polished contrast to the hard-court intensity at Flushing Meadows.
Palace Invitational at Lotte New York Palace: Competitive Play and a Trophy Moment
The Lotte New York Palace hosted its own invitational, blending exhibition matches with a celebratory atmosphere. Matches featured current pros and drew a spectator crowd keen to see competitive action close up.
- Taylor Fritz played an on-site match that entertained hotel guests.
- Matteo Berrettini emerged with a trophy lift after a final against Fritz.
- Former champions and icons, like Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki, attended as honored guests.
The Palace event mixed sport with hospitality, offering fans a glimpse of match-play in an upscale setting.
Pickleball and Boutique Matches: Hyatt, Baccarat and Park Terrace Take the Spotlight
Beyond tennis, a range of side events gave fans different ways to engage during US Open week. From pickleball clinics to playful celebrity showdowns, the city offered a sports-adjacent festival.
Notable off-court activations
- At the Hyatt Regency Times Square, “Pickleball with the Pros” featured players like McCartney Kessler, Barbora Krejcikova and Danielle Collins.
- The Baccarat Hotel staged the Petit Slam, where media personality Gayle King faced off with Naomi Osaka in a friendly but competitive exhibition.
- “Game. Set. SPIN.” at the Park Terrace Hotel saw stars such as Belinda Bencic, Tomas Etcheverry, Martin Damm and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard swap racquets for ping-pong paddles.
These activations blended charity, fan engagement and brand partnerships, creating memorable moments away from the main draws.
Who Turned Up Where: A Quick Guide to Celebrity Sightings
With so many events across Manhattan, attendees split between high-profile dinners, hotel courts and promotional matchups. Below is a concise list of where some headline names were seen.
- Crane Club: Serena Williams, Coco Gauff, Matteo Berrettini, Taylor Fritz, Aryna Sabalenka.
- Waldorf Astoria: Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, Leylah Fernandez, Maria Sakkari, Anna Wintour.
- Lotte New York Palace: Taylor Fritz, Matteo Berrettini, Serena Williams, Caroline Wozniacki.
- Hyatt Regency Times Square: McCartney Kessler, Barbora Krejcikova, Danielle Collins.
- Baccarat Hotel: Naomi Osaka, Gayle King.
- Park Terrace Hotel / Branch: Belinda Bencic, Tomas Etcheverry, Martin Damm, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
Brands, Sponsorships and the Social Side of the US Open
Sponsors and event hosts used the US Open platform to create unique activations. Companies such as DraftKings and hospitality groups leveraged star power to amplify their presence.
- Partnership-driven dinners and exhibitions put brands in front of athletes and influencers.
- Hotel-hosted matches offered exclusive fan experiences and media moments.
- Celebrity pairings and playful exhibitions widened the event’s cultural reach.
These off-court happenings help shape public narratives and generate lifestyle content around the tournament.
