Some of the world’s brightest stars treated US Open fans to a fun-filled night Wednesday, when the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Frances Tiafoe and Matteo Berrettini banded together for ‘Stars of the Open’, an exhibition in support of Ukrainian humanitarian relief.
In front of more than 14,000 people at Louis Armstrong Stadium, the fundraiser brought out celebrities beyond tennis, too. NBA star Jimmy Butler and two-time Latin Grammy winner Sebastian Yatra were also part of the event that raised $320,000 towards the Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund. Butler served as a ball crew member for part of the night and even played a few points with World No. 1 Alcaraz following the Spaniard’s exhibition tie-break with Tiafoe.
If a better point of tennis has ever been played, we’ve never seen it 🤣 pic.twitter.com/udc6iGZkxx
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 23, 2023
Players were mic’d up throughout the festivities, providing several moments of laughter for those watching. A memorable moment was when Gael Monfils partnered his wife Elina Svitolina in mixed doubles against Americans Christopher Eubanks and Jennifer Brady to close the night. Berrettini teamed with 1990 US Open champion Gabriela Sabatini to face John McEnroe and Jessica Pegula.
The US Open main draw will be made Thursday at 12 p.m. local time and main draw action begins Monday, 28 August.
THAT’S @JImmyButler‘s MUSIC!
AND AS A BALL CREW MEMBER! pic.twitter.com/SQKJmcNalg
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 23, 2023
John McEnroe goes after Matteo Berrettini and shows he’s still got it! pic.twitter.com/WgbfoZY2iZ
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 24, 2023