“This isn’t my regular US Open,” stated Andy Roddick, the previous tennis professional.
It was early Monday night, the primary day of the US Open tennis match. Mr. Roddick had simply walked the crimson carpet at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York, and was chatting with a pal on the beige couch within the presidential suite. The sprawling two-story house with spectacular courtroom views is by invitation solely. Mr Roddick, regardless of successful the Grand Slam in 2003, had by no means been inside – till now.
“I used to see everyone are available with their good garments after I was a participant,” he stated, laughing. “Now I can lastly see inside.”
The event was the opening evening of the US Open, an annual occasion that helps the USTA Basis’s pledge to assist 150,000 younger folks in America play tennis. This yr it raised $2.2 million and attracted 173 company, together with songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda, actor Alec Baldwin, ballet dancer Misty Copeland, former tennis participant Stan Smith and, in fact, Mr. Roddick.
“It is very nice right here,” Mr. Roddick stated. Certainly, the suite was stuffed with pleasant servers who disbursed limitless champagne and Honeymooners. One wall had sweet; one other, an espresso bar. Snacks appeared all through the night. Company arrived by a particular entrance.
“I will be again even when I am not invited,” Mr. Roddick joked, explaining that he had some expertise coming into restricted areas of the Billie Jean King Nationwide Tennis Middle. When he was 9, he snuck into the gamers’ lounge whereas employees had been taking out the trash.
That caper confirmed him the perks of being knowledgeable tennis participant: “There was free meals and video video games,” he stated.
For a lot of partygoers, the US Open marked the top of summer time and the start of New York’s busy fall season. The company used the night to get to know one another, each personally and professionally.
“Whats up, women,” stated Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue, as she waltzed into the room in a floor-length black and white gown and greeted designer Vera Wang in addition to philanthropist Cheryl Scharf.
Mr. Miranda spent many of the night in deep dialog along with his spouse and fogeys. “I am not at work,” he stated early within the night.
Ryan Surhunt, the actual property agent and star of Netflix’s “Proudly owning Manhattan,” labored the room.
“It is good to be at events like this, in locations the place our prospects are,” he stated. He was particularly looking for a purchaser for a $250 million penthouse in Central Park Tower that was featured on “Proudly owning Manhattan.”
Shortly after 6:00 p.m., company moved upstairs for a seated dinner of tarte primavera and fillet of inexperienced pepper with champagne served from US Open silver goblets.
Chris Evert, a former tennis participant, gave a speech congratulating Mr. Roddick, who obtained an award for his basis. Mr. Baldwin led a full of life public sale of things comparable to a private design session with Ms. Wang and lunch with Tommy Haas, a retired participant who was additionally in attendance.
Between programs, Ms Copeland revealed it was her first journey to the Open. “I am not no fan,” she stated. “It is simply not one thing I grew up watching.”
Ms. Copeland had not researched the sport, however stated she had seen the film “Challengers.” “I am excited to expertise all of this for the primary time,” she stated.
Ally Love, the health teacher, stated she has been watching tennis since she was a toddler. “After I first got here to New York for varsity, I’d purchase the most cost effective tickets I might get and sit there all day in a seat on the very high of the stadium,” she stated. “It was a good time.”
She mirrored on how common tennis appears to be proper now — the US Open set a file with 200,000 attendees throughout this yr’s Fan Week, a 37 p.c improve from final yr — and provided an evidence.
“Quite a lot of various kinds of individuals are seen on the courtroom within the individual of Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka,” she stated. “You see the variety on the courtroom, you see your self represented, and that is what makes the game enticing.”
Mr. Roddick additionally famous that the match has expanded its meals, beverage and trend choices. “They did a terrific job of making an occasion exterior of the particular occasion,” he stated.
Mr Haas, who can also be match director of the Indian Wells Open, stated he believed tennis had additionally improved its choices. “I am all about creating an expertise for the followers,” he stated. “It is crucial that they really feel comfy and have all of the facilities they want and have enjoyable.”
A couple of minutes after 7:00 p.m., company had been ushered again downstairs to observe the match’s opening ceremony, adopted by the opening match during which Sloane Stevens of the USA misplaced to Clara Burrell of France in three units.
On their means out, company obtained a celebration present: an autographed Stan Smith shoe in a souvenir glass field.
