Anyone familiar with the US Open knows that before a single ball is struck in Flushing Meadows, the real action begins in Manhattan where the events before the event take place.
Forget the tourist attractions and the bus tours. A week before the last Grand Slam of the year begins, everyone and everything tennis revolves around parties and photo ops. Here’s a rundown of all that went down in the city that never sleeps.
Thursday was a whirlwind day in the Big Apple. Beginning in Midtown, Andy Roddick was on hand at Macy’s Herald Square for a meet and greet with fans at the Lacoste boutique.
Meanwhile the woman briefly atop the world rankings--Jelena Jankovic--was on top of the world. Or at least the roof of the Empire Hotel, unveiling the Reebok dress she will be wearing at the US Open. Déjà vu? Maria Sharapova did the same last year at Rockefeller Center, but hopefully Jankovic won’t repeat Sharapova’s second round exit.
Speaking of the 2006 champion, Sharapova joined Serena Williams and Roger Federer at 21 Mercer for the Nike Sportswear Block Party, where acclaimed director Spike Lee joined the festivities.
Later in the day, Federer would join the new World No. 1 Rafael Nadal at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel for a presentation celebrating one of most amicable rivalries in sport. But leave it to Nike to find the “King” of all promoters to do just that. Famed boxing-promoter-turned-tennis-endorser Don King was on hand to introduce the “Grapple in the Apple,” unofficially renewing the Nadal-Federer rivalry.
Just minutes away, the W Hotel was playing host to the annual Dacor “Taste of Tennis” event on Thursday, pairing tennis pros with celebrity chefs in a tasting festival for all the senses. While lights flashed in background and a DJ played music, players were serving up mouth-watering treats alongside some of the best chefs in New York City, rounding out an exciting day off the court.
On Friday night, Sharapova and Williams along with James Blake were among the players at the official player party, co-hosted again by the USTA and Heineken. The event, held at the Empire Hotel, drew celebrities as well as some of New York’s social butterflies.
Racquet companies Wilson and Prince also host annual parties for their sponsored players the weekend prior to the start of the Open.
Hopefully the players will have reserved some energy for the actual competition.