This US Open going well in New York City.
And while plenty of spectators, Including A-listers like Serena Williams and Kerry WashingtonDescending on the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center to take in the action and sip cocktails, it’s a very different experience for those on the court.
BI spoke to the 2023 US Open runner-up and current semifinalist Aryana Sablenka And check out some behind-the-scenes facts about 2016 US Open champion Stan Wawrinka that fans might not know about the tournament.
Sabalenka called the US Open “a great tournament”.
“I had a lot of great experiences there, a lot of great memories,” said Sabalenka, who spoke to BI as part of his partnership with Maestro Dobel Tequila. “It’s exciting to be back, especially being runner-up last year. It’s a big motivation for me to do a little bit better than last year, so I’m really excited to be back.”
Wawrinka, who spoke to BI through his partnership with Evian, the US Open’s official voter, offered a similar sentiment. “We always have an amazing atmosphere when you play. It doesn’t matter which court, and I enjoy it,” he said. “One of the reasons I keep playing is to relive those moments, the feeling that comes from the fans, and New York is really special for that.”
From signature cocktails to branded outfits, here are six things you didn’t know about the US Open.
“The US Open can be really intense,” Arina Sabalenka said.
Sabalenka said that when the fans cheer really loud in the main stadium, “it’s crazy to handle the players” because all the noise “goes to the player.”
“I’ve never felt that in any other stadium,” she added.
A possible explanation for Sablanka’s experience is the size of Arthur Ashe Stadium, the main stadium of the US Open. It has a capacity of 23,771 people, about 9,000 more than any other center court in a Grand Slam.
Twenty-four-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic said The Washington Post In 2023, “It has size. It is resonant due to the roof construction. It is all combined.”
Brands are usually responsible for selecting players’ on-court outfits.
Sabalenka told BI that she doesn’t like dressing up for the tournament. Instead, her sponsor Nike will provide the outfit for her to wear.
In January 2023, Tudm reported via Netflix that “many players under contract don’t have a say in the outfits, because brands want to show off their new stuff.”
Eric Batorak, director of pro tennis operations and player relations for the USTA, said People Magazine Players at the US Open in August 2023 “must wear clothing from an approved manufacturer,” adding that there are restrictions regarding the size of logos.
“It can’t be Nike on the front of your chest. It should just be a standard logo,” he said.
However, Sabalenka shared that she does Love her off-court looks and likes to wear sporty outfits even when she’s not playing.
Players can use the quiet room to “reset” before a match.
In 2021, the USTA created a mental health initiative that gave players access to quiet rooms, licensed mental health providers and other services at the US Open.
“The US Open is intense, with the energy of the crowd and the challenges on the court,” Wawrinka told BI. “Mental preparation is as important as physical training. I use the quiet room provided to reset before a match, which helps me focus.”
In 2023, Forbes Reportedly, these quiet rooms feature beds, so players with late-night matches get a chance to rest.
Wawrinka also added that “staying hydrated and staying balanced” is central to his preparation.
The USTA has continued to highlight the importance of mental health in recent years. At the 2023 US Open, he hosted the “Mental Health and Sports: Why It Matters” panel. Naomi Osaka, Michael PhelpsDr. Brian Heinline, the NCAA’s Chief Medical Officer and Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, US Surgeon General.
Players often share an indoor warm-up space.
While it is more commonly known that opponents hit warm-up shots against each other on the court before a match, it may be less known that players also share their indoor warm-up spaces.
Sablenka said the players tend to keep themselves in their corners of the room and concentrate, adding that it doesn’t bother her because she’s used to it.
In 2023, Forbes reported that the US Open’s indoor warmup room at Arthur Ashe Stadium featured exercise bikes and televisions showing ongoing matches.
Everyone knows about the Honey Deuce, the signature cocktails athletes can have at the US Open as well.
The Honey DeuceThe signature drink of the US Open may be a popular choice that generates millions of dollars in sales, but it’s not the only cocktail available to spectators.
This year, Sabalenka has its own cocktail, the Marg-Arina, created in collaboration with Maestro Dobel Tequila and available to US Open attendees. It’s a play on the traditional margarita, with a light agave, tropical fruit olipop and a Tajin rim.
“I think it’s like a little piece of me, something I love, something I like to celebrate some big wins,” Sabalenka told BI.
He will face the American Emma Navarro Thursday in the semifinals. has been reported by Associated PressIn an on-court interview after her quarterfinal win Tuesday, Sabalenka shared her plan to convince the crowd to rally behind her over the New York-born Navarro.
“Drinking on me tonight?” she joked.
People have to try to stay on the famous ball crew.
And tryouts are more competitive than you think.
In 2023, The New York Times Only 500 people were selected from 1,200 applications filed online to compete in person for a chance to make the final crew of less than 200.
Individuals selected for the individual tryouts must complete a series of drills designed to assess the individual’s agility, speed and knowledge of tennis.
“I don’t think people realize, it’s a very necessary job,” Tiahn Noble, then-director of the US Open ball crew, told the outlet.
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