Aryana Sabalenka, the Belarusian tennis player who won the 2024 US Open women’s title earlier in the day, set the mood for Saturday evening.
After winning her third Grand Slam tournament, falling to the court in joy, greeting those in her players’ box with tears of joy and accepting her trophy from Billie Jean King, she went on ESPN and told the world how she planned to celebrate. . “We’ll probably drink a lot,” she said with a wide, cheeky smile.
Two hours later, on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, several high-profile tennis fans, including actress Issa Rae, retired tennis star Maria Sharapova and model Devon Windsor, did the same — in solidarity, of course. As one partygoer was heard to say, “If Sabalenka is drinking tonight, so am I.”
The occasion was a US Open after-party, hosted by tournament sponsor Dobell Tequila. Dobell hosted a party before the tournament began, but the stars seemed to be in for two of its brand ambassadors, Ms Sabalenka and male tennis star Taylor Fritz, both entering the finals. (While both players are paid to endorse the brand, neither attended the party.)
“The odds of it working are astronomical,” James Black, a retired tennis star who is now a commentator on ESPN, said of a brand with two ambassadors making it to the finals.
“Maybe it’s tequila?” Juan Martin del Potro, another retired tennis star, speculated when cracking up.
Some of the cocktails served at the party were named after the two finalists. Mr. Fritz, who was scheduled to play in the men’s final Sunday afternoon, helped design the Fritzy Spicy Margarita (tequila, lime juice, agave nectar and jalapeño). Mrs. Sabalenka helped make Marg-Arina (tequila, lime juice, agave and tropical punch).
The dress code was tennis cocktail attire, and guests wore items such as tennis skirts with high socks and sparkle dresses.
The event was held at Le Bar Penelope, an upscale, not-yet-opened bar off Madison Avenue with animal murals on the walls and lavish banquettes.
The lounge has the same owners as Avera Madison, an upscale Greek restaurant next door that many tennis players frequent during the US Open. Rafael Nadal was spotted there more than once last year. On Saturday night, during the party, Novak Djokovic was holding court at a table in the middle of the dining room. (Once the talk was over, some partygoers went to take a peek. They reported back that unlike the others, Mr. Djokovic was only drinking water.)
Lander Otegui, senior vice president of marketing for Proximo Spirits, which owns Dobel Tequila, said the company came up with the idea of holding an after-party for the US Open after holding similar events at the end of golf tournaments and Formula 1 races. He believed it was the first party of its kind in New York City, an idea supported by partygoers. “The after party is good,” said Flaviana Matata, a Tanzanian model. “We need something new.”
Many former professional tennis players hung out together at the party. Mr. Blake and Ms. Sharapova sat at a table, chatting over margaritas. When they saw Mr. del Potro, they ran to the door to greet him with high-fives and hugs.
Mr. Black reflected on how this year’s tournament had a more upbeat party atmosphere. “Walking from stadium to stadium, the amount of people, the amount of lines, people shopping, buying merchandise, buying drinks, having fun,” he said. “Every night there were people stacking cups with tons and tons of drinks.”
He said that sometimes it was so loud at Arthur Ashe Stadium that he couldn’t hear through his earpiece. “I can’t even hear myself think,” he added.
According to United States Tennis Association spokeswoman Nicole Kankam, the tournament also drew in celebrities. “Last year we saw record celebrity attendance, which was 60 percent more than the previous year, and we are on track to surpass that,” she said.
Despite attending the US Open after-party, some celebrities said they are currently busy with another big event in New York City – Fashion Week.
“I don’t even know who won today,” said Nicky Hilton Rothschild. “I was at the mons show, sorry!”
“I love tennis, but today I had a fitting, and then tomorrow is a show and another fitting,” said model Joan Smalls, who was at the door at 9:30 p.m., waiting for her ride.
Mr. Del Potro, who won the men’s singles title at the US Open in 2009, admitted he had not entered this year’s tournament. “I’ve had a lot of tennis in my life,” he said, standing at the bar. “Now I want to do different things like hang out with friends and go to these kinds of parties.”
“We don’t play anymore so we get to go to parties like this,” he added. “I love tequila, and I’m available to drink every day, so that’s good.”
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