This year, the Slam has introduced more ultra-luxe options, from what you eat and drink to the way you arrive at the tournament
It’s the most wonderful time of the year in New York City. No, not Christmas—the U.S. Open. With the first round of matches kicking off over the weekend, the Slam is now under way. And it’s gotten off to an exciting start, with fourth-seeded Novak Djokovic losing in a late-night, five-set match to Mariano Navone.
With play taking place for the next two weeks, there’s still plenty of time to catch the action in Queens. And while the tournament is designed so all fans can take part in the fun, it’s also home to some super-high-end offerings, allowing you to enjoy the matches in style. Robb Report has got you covered with the most ultra-luxe ways to enjoy this year’s U.S. Open.
Getting there
If you’re looking for ground transportation, the chauffeur service Blacklane has developed a limited-edition Tennis Class package, starting at US$3,800 in New York. Along with a dedicated driver and luxury vehicle, you receive a chic gift bag with tennis-appropriate accessories, like Ray-Ban sunglasses for sunny match days and the Ralph Lauren sweaters that ball boys and girls wear. It’s a seamless journey from start to finish that allows you to bypass hectic train stations and long wait times for Ubers.
“Tennis Class is designed to be more than a journey to a match. It is a private, flexible day built around the guest,” Jens Wohltorf, the CEO and cofounder of Blacklane, tells Robb Report. “It brings together elements that would typically have to be arranged separately such as a first-class personal chauffeur for the day, thoughtful in-car gifts, and the freedom to shape the experience around the places guests want to see and even be seen. That might mean stopping at Hudson Yards in New York or lunch at Covent Garden in London, and continuing to the match without the constraints of fixed transfers or a rigid itinerary.”
For those hoping to avoid the Midtown traffic altogether, guests of the Equinox Hotel New York have the option to take a Blade helicopter from the company’s westside lounge to LaGuardia Airport, from which an SUV will pick them up and deposit them directly at the gate closest to their seats. Taking about 25 minutes door-to-door, it’s probably the fastest available option if you’re coming from Manhattan.
What to eat
Much ado has been made over the years about Coqodaq’s caviar and chicken nuggets, and you’ll see plenty of people balancing the restaurant’s orange box on their lap during matches. With its $100 price tag, the meal is probably the most expensive single item at the Open’s Food Village. (Pro tip: If you have Arthur Ashe tickets, skip the line outside in favor of the stand within the stadium. It’s pretty much always a much shorter wait.)
Perhaps the most exciting new entrant, however, is Cosme. Chef Enrique Olvera’s modern Mexican restaurant in Flatiron has popped up among the grounds with a sit-down spot. When you’re looking for a full meal rather than a grab-and-go snack, you can try to snag a table and chow down on Olvera’s famed duck carnitas. At one point, Cosme was No. 22 on the World’s 50 Best list, and it’s one of Robb Report’s 100 greatest restaurants of the 21stcentury
What to drink
Yes, you should get a Honey Deuce. The vodka-lemonade cocktail has achieved icon status for a reason. But it faces a formidable foe in Moët & Chandon’s new Moët Serve: The drink pairs the brand’s Ice Impérial Champagne (meant to be served over ice) with three lime slices that mimic the appearance of tennis balls. Best of all, it comes in a canister meant to look like the ones that hold those tennis balls. Sealed with a tear-off top, you get the same satisfying pop when you open up the can to take a sip. The Moët Serve is available to all at the brand’s Club de Tennis bar and in its private suite, which has already hosted the likes of actors Paul Anthony Kelly and Emma Roberts.
This story was first published on Robb Report USA. Featured photo by Michael Mooney/USTA via Getty Images
