Waldorf Astoria Is Turning Its Grand Ballroom Into a Tennis Court for One Night
The one-night-only event marks the debut of Waldorf Astoria’s new Racquet Club platform, pairing world-class tennis with luxury hospitality experiences.
Photo: Courtesy of Waldorf Astoria New York
Waldorf Astoria is leaning into the growing intersection of luxury hospitality and racquet sports with the debut of Waldorf Astoria Racquet Club, a new global platform that will bring tennis, padel, and other racquet experiences to its portfolio. The initiative kicks off in dramatic fashion on Aug. 27, when the newly restored Grand Ballroom at Waldorf Astoria New York will be turned into a full-size tennis court beneath its iconic chandeliers for a one-night-only Ballroom Tennis Invitational.
The event will feature 45-minute showcase matches with ATP stars Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton alongside WTA players Leylah Fernandez and Maria Sakkari, coinciding with the height of New York’s late-summer tennis season. Rather than positioning the evening as a traditional sporting event, Waldorf Astoria is framing it as a blend of hospitality, dining, and entertainment. Guests will enjoy culinary offerings from Lex Yard, the hotel’s signature restaurant led by James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Anthony, as well as Champagne from Moët & Chandon, interactive chef stations and tennis-inspired cocktails.
Tickets start at $1,500 and include the tennis exhibition, food and beverage experiences, player meet-and-greets and commemorative merchandise. Advisors with clients seeking a more immersive stay can also book overnight packages that pair accommodations with event access, while premium experiences include private tennis clinics led by ATP and WTA players in the Grand Ballroom, along with treatments at the hotel’s Guerlain Wellness Spa. Hilton Honors members can also redeem select packages using points through Hilton Honors Experiences. Five percent of net ticket sales will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, with Hilton Global Foundation matching the contribution.
The New York event also serves as the launchpad for a broader brand strategy. Waldorf Astoria Racquet Club will build on existing tennis and padel offerings across properties including Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, with additional activations planned globally, including a pop-up in Sydney.
“The Grand Ballroom has always been one of New York’s great stages, a room created for moments people remember,” said Luigi Romaniello, managing director of Waldorf Astoria New York. “For one night, we are doing something it has never seen before: bringing world-class tennis beneath the chandeliers. It is playful, elegant, and unmistakably New York, and it reflects the spirit of Waldorf Astoria New York as we welcome guests back to experience this hotel in new and unexpected ways.”
