Monday night, the first day of the US Open, actors, designers and former professional athletes walked into a side entrance lined with tennis fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. They walked on a blue carpet, the same color as the famous courts.
A crowd of about 200 people arrived at the opening night of the tennis tournament a few hours early for a fundraiser for the United States Tennis Association Foundation, which provides tennis and education programs for underprivileged youth nationwide. More than $3 million was raised within two hours.
Gabriela Hearst, the fashion designer, showed up with Maria Sharapova, the tennis star. Tommy Haas, a retired player, and Lindsey Vonn, the skier, were also in attendance. Other guests included Mike Tyson, Alec Baldwin, Gayle King, Danny DeVito, Anna Wintour, Vera Wang and Daymond John. David and Cheryl Scharf, New York City philanthropists, hosted a table.
Participants shared what drew them to the US Open this year.
“The end of summer always makes me a little sad,” says Katie Couric, the gala’s MC. “I always feel depressed at the end of August, but when I come to the US Open I have something to look forward to.”
“Food,” said Mr. Tyson, the former professional boxer. “Popcorn, pretzels, all snacks.”
The crowd went upstairs for a quick dinner—three courses served in under an hour—and an auction.
At 7pm sharp, guests rushed outside to watch American sensation Coco Gauff beat her opponent in a thrilling three-set match. Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama were spotted on the edge of their seats in another suite.
“A lot of great, interesting people are coming. I think they’re all pretty passionate about the sport, which is why it’s so much fun,” Ms Couric said, adding: “I mean when the players are there you can hear a pin drop.”
A few days earlier, on Saturday afternoon, tennis players, devoted fans and financiers flocked to the Sportime Amagansett courts to participate in the 9th Annual Johnny Mac Tennis Project Pro Am Tournament and After Party, held in the Hamptons.
“I flew in from Florida for this just because Johnny Mac called,” said Reilly Opelka, an American tennis player, who will not participate in this year’s US Open due to an injury.
“The tennis world and other parts of the world did the same, because that’s how it goes,” said Mr. Opelka. “He calls and you come.”
The event raised more than $625,000, which will go to the Johnny Mac Tennis Project, an organization run by John and Patrick McEnroe that provides tennis scholarships and community programs for children in the New York City area.
Seventy-five amateurs bid up to $20,000 to play doubles with former tennis players, including Jim Courier, James Blake, Christina McHale and Mr. Opelka. Popular topics of conversation during water breaks included predictions for Carlos Alcaraz, the Spanish player who is the best player at the US Open, and pickleball bashing.
“Everyone wants to play pickleball, but tennis is still the sport,” said Jeff Zucker, the former president of DailyExpertNews. “Because you have to be a complete athlete to play tennis.”
Day attendees included: Thomson Reuters CEO Steve Hasker; Alex Chantecaille, chief commercial officer of Chantecaille, her family’s beauty brand; and Jean-Yves Fillion, a senior executive at BNP Paribas.
At 6pm, when the tournament ended, the players returned home or to the dressing room to get ready for the after party, held at the home of John and Kate Storey, who live in London for most of the year, where mr. Storey is a partner at Goldman Sachs and Ms. Storey is a fashion consultant.
Attendees drank margaritas and tequila sodas, snacked on arancini balls and chicken skewers, and bid on items including John McEnroe’s personal Wimbledon tickets.
“You know the US Open starts when this event takes place,” Mr. Zucker said.
