Mattek-Sands takes flight wearing Snapchat Spectacles

Early on Saturday morning as the sun rose over Manhattan, Bethanie Mattek-Sands hopped into a helicopter for a special ride. With her knee brace and seat belt firmly on, the American took part in a very special US Open and Snapchat Spectacles stunt.

The Snapchat Spectacles from Snapbots at the US Open will be a Grand Slam first. The unique onsite activation will give fans the ability to share their stories through their own viewpoints using Spectacles, which are the popular app's new HD filming sunglasses.

Snapchat bots— interactive vending machines used to dispense Spectacles—made their way to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center by sea, by land and by air.

"Our objective with this campaign is to encourage fans to organically share their US Open experience. Spectacles give a one-of-a-kind vantage point because they capture your memories just the way you see them," says Amy Choyne, USTA Chief Marketing Officer.

Mattek-Sands, the reigning US Open doubles champion, kicked off the content sharing by wearing a pair of the snapping Spectacles from a NYONAIR helicopter that was carrying one of the Snapbots. Fifty guests aboard the Hornblower Hybrid set sail from Manhattan's Pier 15 to watch the action from below.

Fans can purchase Spectacles starting on Saturday during Arthur Ashe Kids Day, and throughout the

tournament from August 28 to September 10.

"We strive to surprise and delight visitors to the US Open, while reshaping and enhancing the way fans can share their onsite experience,” adds Qianna Smith-Bruneteau, USTA Director, Social Media & Strategy. “Spectacles offers fans a new sense of discoverability of our grounds in a fresh content format.”