For three weeks every summer, New York City takes center stage in the tennis world.
The city is overtaken by pleated skirts and polos, and the social itinerary is flooded with parties, galas, and celebrity events as anticipation for the legendary US Open swells. For the past decade, The Pierre, A Taj Hotel’s annual Smash Bash has reigned as a headliner of the tennis social calendar, earning its title as one of the most anticipated and coveted nights of the season
The Pierre, revered for its timeless white-glove luxury, has long been synonymous with fashion, culture, and society, evolving into a true icon of New York’s tennis scene. The hotel opened its Fifth Avenue doors in 1930; with the city on the brink of its transatlantic-era prime, the hotel quickly rose to prominence as a high-society hub. That same year marked a sensational milestone in New York’s tennis culture, with the Central Park Tennis Center opening to the public and issuing season permits to over 5,000 New Yorkers, and the West Side Tennis Club drawing thousands of fans to Forest Hills for the U.S. National Championships. Against this backdrop, The Pierre’s striking architecture and unmatched luxury became a natural draw for socialites and star athletes alike, solidifying its status as tennis season’s most coveted address.
These intertwined legacies set the stage for the Smash Bash. Since debuting in 2017, the Smash Bash has blossomed into an iconic celebration of the sport, uniting fans, athletes, and beloved sports personalities for an evening of thriving community and glamour. This year’s bash featured star players Alexander Bublik, the Kazakhstani World Top 10 player, and Anastasia Potapova, the Austrian professional, former Junior World No. 1 and 2016 Wimbledon Girls’ Singles Champion. The two traded racquets for paddles, giving guests a chance to watch them go head-to-head in a heated ping-pong match. Historic US Open highlights illuminated the grand ballroom all evening while guests enjoyed premium wines, themed culinary creations, and signature craft cocktails, including the ever-popular Honey Deuce.
(Photo Courtesy: The Pierre)
As a longstanding grand-slam destination, The Pierre is introducing a new package for its ace-minded guests. For the first time ever, the hotel is introducing The Ultimate Tennis Season Experience, an exclusive package tailored for court-bound travelers. The package includes benefits such as discounted stay prices, daily breakfast, personalized tennis-inspired amenity kits, assistance with preferred tournament ticket procurement, the opportunity to purchase tickets to the Smash Bash, and luxury transportation to matches upon request. Those staying at The Pierre can also look forward to appearances and chances to meet athletes, tastemakers, leading tennis personalities, and other VIP guests during their stay.
According to Spiridon Sarantopoulos, Senior Vice President, Operations, USA and Europe, IHCL, the dedicated package was created to offer “an even more immersive way to experience the glamor of the tournament through the lens of Taj hospitality.” For avid tennis fans looking to take their US Open experience to the next level, information about The Pierre Tennis Experience is available on their website.
