Produced by AYS Sports Marketing, Taste of Tennis is an annual event showcasing a star-studded lineup of chefs partnering with players off the court and in the kitchen. As is the case with athletes involved in any sport, nutrition plays a major role in their daily lives; this gathering presented an opportunity of showing another side to the athletes’ daily lives plus networking with folks in the industry.
Regarded by many as “the” tennis party of all parties, Taste of Tennis officially kicks off the US Open events in Manhattan and is often a sold out affair at Gotham Hall in Midtown Manhattan. The stars of tennis (dressed to the nines indeed) at this year’s event included 2-time US Open Champion Venus Williams, 2020 Finalist Alex Zverev and current top 5 player Holger Rune (among many other players both current and former), with Williams and Zverev whipping up some fresh pad thai mid-event on the main stage. Chefs stations featuring foods from all over the world definitely succeeded in making everyone’s mouths water, from the samosas to tuna crudo to even libations all made by hand. Event attendees posed with Volkl racquets in a photo booth similar to the popular "Behind the Racquet" concept.
Volkl’s Cliff Berman, Oliver Hyams and Liz Kobak were in attendance, plus VIPs Marina Oetiker and Richard Henry who all enjoyed the festivities.
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The 2023 US Open action commenced on Monday, and the tournament has continued to hit a high note for fans and players alike.
Kudos to our players who had competitive matches in the men's and women's doubles draws; Mexico’s Miguel Reys-Varela opened his Open campaign alongside Vega Hernandez; the duo fell in two competitive sets to the Tsitsipas brothers in their first round match (6-7, 4-6).
On the women’s side of the competition, Sabrina Santamaria and Ninomiya faced top-seeded Krejcikova and Siniakova. After claiming the opening set in a tiebreaker, Sabrina (currently ranked 70th in the world) and her partner succumbed in three sets with a final score of 7-6, 1-6, 4-6.
Between the singles, doubles and mixed doubles matches happening throughout Flushing Meadows over the fortnight, seeing familiar faces on the courts and in the stands, the Open's bound to be nothing short of entertaining!
