Luxury hospitality and racquet sports will converge in dramatic fashion this summer as Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts launches its new Waldorf Astoria Racquet Club platform with an exhibition unlike any other. On August 27, the legendary Grand Ballroom at Waldorf Astoria New York will be transformed into a full-size tennis court, creating a one-night-only showcase beneath the venue’s iconic crystal chandeliers.
The inaugural Ballroom Tennis Invitational will feature ATP stars Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton alongside WTA standouts Leylah Fernandez and Maria Sakkari in a series of 45-minute exhibition matches timed to coincide with New York’s late-summer tennis season. The event marks the debut of Waldorf Astoria’s new global Racquet Club initiative, which aims to blend premium hospitality with the growing lifestyle appeal of tennis, padel and other racquet sports.
Beyond the on-court action, attendees will experience a luxury hospitality program highlighted by culinary offerings from Chef Michael Anthony’s Lex Yard restaurant, Moët & Chandon Champagne, interactive chef stations, tennis-inspired cocktails and exclusive player meet-and-greets. Ticket packages begin at $1,500 and include options ranging from general admission to premium overnight experiences featuring tennis clinics with participating professionals and wellness treatments at the hotel’s Guerlain Spa.
The Racquet Club concept extends well beyond New York. Waldorf Astoria plans to build on existing tennis and padel offerings across its global portfolio, including destinations in the Maldives, Rome and Dubai, while introducing additional racquet-themed activations in key markets. The Ballroom Tennis Invitational serves as the first chapter in a broader strategy that positions racquet sports as a cornerstone of luxury travel and experiential hospitality.
The event will also support a charitable cause, with five percent of net proceeds benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, matched by the Hilton Global Foundation.
