This summer, it’s not just Arthur Ashe getting a tennis moment. In fact, Park Avenue is getting one too, and it’s arriving inside a ballroom. On August 27, Waldorf Astoria New York trades the dance floor for the baseline. For one night only, its legendary Grand Ballroom becomes a full-size tennis court.
The Grand Ballroom, Reimagined
This is the room that hosted the first Tony Awards, and seen some of the earliest Met Galas. It’s the kind of space that has seen it all. On August 27, it adds tennis to that list, for the first time in its history, marking the debut of Waldorf Astoria Racquet Club, the brand’s new global platform for racquet culture.
World-Class Tennis, Unexpected Net
The matches themselves are the real hook. Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, Leylah Fernandez and Maria Sakkari will play showcase matches beneath the chandeliers. Together, they’ll bring the energy of New York’s late-summer tennis season somewhere it has never lived before. It’s the kind of pairing — grand hotel meets pro tour — that sounds like it shouldn’t work. Then again, this is New York, where the more unlikely the setting, the better the story.
Hospitality Takes Center Court
Naturally, no one’s watching tennis on an empty stomach. The evening pairs the matches with Champagne from Moët & Chandon and culinary programming from Chef Michael Anthony’s Lex Yard. There’s also a revived Racquet Club cocktail, the Waldorf’s original, pulled out of the archives for the occasion. Afterward, Guerlain Wellness Spa experiences are on hand for anyone who needs to recover from all that spectating. In addition, stay-and-play packages are on offer, including exclusive Hilton Honors Experiences for Hilton Honors American Express Card Members. And this isn’t a one-off. New York is only the first stop — Waldorf Astoria Racquet Club will expand across the brand’s properties around the world.
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FAQs
Q: When and where is the Waldorf Astoria Ballroom Tennis Invitational?
A: The event takes place August 27, 2026, from 6 to 10 p.m. Specifically, it’s held inside the Grand Ballroom at Waldorf Astoria New York, 301 Park Avenue.
Q: Who is playing?
A: ATP and WTA stars Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, Leylah Fernandez and Maria Sakkari will play showcase matches on the court.
Q: How much are tickets, and how do I get them?
A: Tickets start at $1,500 and are on sale now at waldorfastorianewyork.com/ballroom-tennis. Stay-and-play packages are also available, along with exclusive redemption options for Hilton Honors American Express Card Members.
