On Thursday evening, August 21, Baccarat Hotel New York hosted its annual Petit Slam ping-pong exhibition to celebrate the start of the prestigious US Open tennis tournament in New York. Just three days ahead of the singles draw held at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, the world’s No. 1-ranked player, Jannik Sinner, and four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka traded their tennis rackets for ping-pong paddles. The two faced off against each other at the hotel’s highly entertaining and opulent event.
Now in its third year, the exclusive Petit Slam invited an intimate group of VIP guests to the hotel’s glitzy salon to experience a chic night of fun, sports, and Baccarat’s incredible hospitality. Under the luxurious sparkling crystal chandeliers of Baccarat Hotel New York in Midtown Manhattan, the well-dressed crowd gathered around a custom Baccarat red table featuring a stunning Baccarat crystal net to watch tennis superstars Sinner and Osaka compete in a playful game of ping-pong refereed by bestselling author Gary Janetti.
Using the event’s signature red paddles, Sinner and Osaka quickly turned the elegant setting into their exhilarating playground. The two showed off their incredible physical skills and went through multiple long rallies with the ping-pong ball zipping over the net. The two even traded playful jabs. “This is the only time I will ever be able to say I won a set against Jannik Sinner,” joked Osaka.
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Their camaraderie created an electric scene. The Petit Slam buzzed with lots of laughs and cheers. The crowd also oohed and aahed at the spectacular sight of the showmanship between the two. It was a competitive showdown from start to finish, with Sinner ultimately taking the win in two out of three.
Once the match ended, guests took their turn at the ping-pong table while enjoying the Baccarat Hotel’s curated, tennis-inspired menu offerings, like a platter of an assortment of sushi, a delectable charcuterie board filled with cured meats, cheeses, crackers, and fruits. There were also amazing desserts, including Italian rainbow cookies and cannolis. As for drinks, servers passed out creative cocktails and endless champagne.
The Baccarat Hotel’s annual Petit Slam is a true celebration of sport and sophistication that seamlessly blends competitive energy with Baccarat’s extravagance and timeless elegance. Thanks to the Baccarat Hotel’s exceptional hospitality, the Petit Slam is the best US Open tennis event.
