6 things you didn't know about the US Open, according to Grand Slam champions
- The US Open — the final Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year — concludes on September 8.
- BI spoke with 2023 US Open runner-up Aryna Sabalenka and 2016 winner Stan Wawrinka.
The US Open is well underway in New York City.
And while plenty of spectators, including A-listers like Serena Williams and Kerry Washington, are descending upon the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center to take in the action and sip on cocktails, it's a much different experience for those on the court.
BI spoke with 2023 US Open runner-up and current semifinalist Aryna Sabalenka and 2016 US Open champion Stan Wawrinka to learn some behind-the-scenes facts fans might not know about the tournament.
Sabalenka called the US Open "a great tournament."
"I had a lot of good experiences there, a lot of great memories," said Sabalenka, who spoke to BI as part of her partnership with Maestro Dobel Tequila. "It's exciting to come back, especially being a runner-up last year. It's a big motivation for me to do a little bit better than I did last year, so I'm really excited to come back."
Wawrinka, who spoke with BI through his partnership with Evian, the official water of the US Open, offered a similar sentiment. "We always have an amazing atmosphere when you play. It doesn't matter which court, and I enjoy that," he said. "That's one of the reasons why I keep playing is to relive those moments, to have this emotion coming 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.
Aryna Sabalenka said the "US Open can get really loud."
Sabalenka said that when fans get really loud cheering at the main stadium, "it's crazy for players to handle" because all the noise "goes right on the player."
"I never felt that way on the other stadiums," she added.
A possible explanation for Sabalenka's experience is the sheer size of Arthur Ashe Stadium, the US Open's main stadium. It has a capacity of 23,771 people, almost 9,000 more than other center courts at Grand Slams.
Twenty-four-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic told the Washington Post in 2023, "It's the size. It's the echo because of the roof construction. It's everything combined."
Brands are usually responsible for choosing players' on-court outfits.
Sabalenka told BI she doesn't get to pick her outfits for tournaments. Instead, Nike, her sponsor, will provide outfits for her to wear.
In January 2023, Tudum by Netflix reported that "many players under contract don't have a say in the outfit, because brands want to show off their newest items."
Eric Butorac, the USTA's director of pro tennis operations and player relations, told People magazine in August 2023 that US Open players "have to wear clothing from an approved manufacturer," adding that there are restrictions related to logo sizes.
"It can't be Nike all the way across the front of your chest. It has to just be a standard logo," he said.
However, Sabalenka shared that she does get to choose her off-court looks and likes to wear sporty attire even when she's not playing.
Players can use quiet rooms to "reset" before matches.
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 from the crowd and the challenges on the court," Wawrinka told BI. "Mentally preparing is just as crucial as physical training. I use the quiet rooms provided to reset before matches, which helps me focus."
In 2023, Forbes reported that a feature of these quiet rooms is beds, so players with late-night matches have an opportunity to rest.
Wawrinka also added that "staying hydrated and maintaining balance" is central to his preparation.
The USTA has continued to highlight the importance of mental health in more recent years. At the 2023 US Open, it hosted the "Mental Health and Sport: Why It Matters" panel featuring Naomi Osaka, Michael Phelps, Dr. Brian Hainline, the NCAA's chief medical officer, and Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, the US surgeon general.
Players often share indoor warm-up spaces.
While it's more commonly known that opponents hit warm-up shots against each other on the court before matches, it may be less known that players share their indoor warm-up spaces, too.
Sabalenka said players tend to keep to themselves in their respective corners of the room and stay focused, 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 in Arthur Ashe Stadium features exercise bikes and televisions showing ongoing matches.
While everyone knows about the Honey Deuce, athletes can have signature cocktails at the US Open, too.
The Honey Deuce, the 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 her own cocktail, the Marg-Aryna, which was made in collaboration with Maestro Dobel Tequila, and is available to US Open attendees. It's a play on a traditional margarita, featuring light agave, tropical fruit Olipop, and a Tajín rim.
Sabalenka told BI, "I feel like it's kind of like a little piece of me, something I like, something I like to have to celebrate some big wins."
She will take on American Emma Navarro in the semifinals on Thursday. As reported by the Associated Press, in an on-court interview after her quarterfinal win on Tuesday, Sabalenka shared her plan to convince the crowd to rally behind her over New York-born Navarro.
"Drinks on me tonight?" she joked.
People have to try out to be on the famed ball crew.
And the tryouts are more competitive than you might think.
In 2023, The New York Times reported that of the 1,200 applications filed online, only 500 people were selected to compete in person for a chance at making the final crew of fewer than 200.
Those selected for in-person tryouts must complete a series of drills designed to assess a person's agility, speed, and knowledge of tennis.
Tiahnne Noble, then the director of the US Open Ball Crew, told the outlet, "I don't think people understand, it's a highly sought-after job."
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