The Benjamin Royal Sonesta Hotel welcomed tennis fans and star athletes alike last night for “The Pros Serve,” a US Open fan week celebration held at The Parliament, the property’s signature restaurant. The event marked the tournament’s return to New York City and offered a preview of what The Benjamin has in store for guests during this year’s highly anticipated Open.
Four professional players joined the festivities: Elena Rybakina, the world’s current number two ranked player, Flavio Cobolli, fresh off a win earlier that night against Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz in doubles, Karen Khachanov, and Matteo Arnaldi. The athletes spent the evening mixing and mingling with guests, bringing an easy, celebratory energy to the room that matched the excitement building citywide ahead of the tournament.
A SWEET SHOWDOWN
The highlight of the night came in the form of a playful ice cream sundae making competition. Each player was tasked with building a sundae that reflected their own personal taste, resulting in four distinct creations that doubled as edible personality profiles. Guests watched closely as the athletes debated toppings and assembled their entries with the same focus they bring to center court.
The results were more than a party trick. Starting tomorrow, the athlete-designed sundaes will officially join The Parliament’s dessert menu, adding to the restaurant’s existing sundae offering as part of the hotel’s broader US Open celebration. It is a rare chance for guests to taste a dessert dreamed up by a top ranked tennis player and revisit it all season long.
COURTSIDE STYLE, HONEY DEUCES IN HAND
Throughout the evening, guests sipped on Honey Deuces, the tournament’s signature cocktail, and sampled a spread of hors d’oeuvres while cheering on the players during the sundae competition. The atmosphere struck a balance between casual mingling and genuine tennis fandom, with attendees getting an up close look at some of the sport’s rising and established stars in a relaxed, off court setting.
THE BENJAMIN’S US OPEN OFFERINGS
Beyond the evening’s festivities, The Benjamin Royal Sonesta is rolling out a suite of experiences designed for tennis fans visiting the city for the tournament. Chief among them is the Courtside Experience package, available through The Benjamin and The Beverly Suites, the hotel’s largest accommodations. The package includes two courtside seats to some of the tournament’s most coveted matches, giving guests a front row view of the action.
The suites themselves are built for the moment, featuring private outdoor terraces with sweeping city views, ideal for guests looking to unwind before heading to the matches or to recap the day’s play afterward. Paired with the hotel’s central location and its newly minted sundae menu, the package positions The Benjamin as a natural home base for anyone making a trip out of this year’s US Open.
With “The Pros Serve” serving as a fitting kickoff, The Benjamin Royal Sonesta has set the tone for a summer that blends New York hospitality with championship tennis, giving guests plenty of reasons to linger long after the final match point.
