Experience the ‘Stars of the Open’ exhibition at US Open 2025, where fun, flair, and nostalgia come together to honor tennis’s greatest icons.
Stars of the Open presented by Chase
Arthur Ashe Stadium, the grand centerpiece of the US Open in New York, is used to stage epic contests and produce some of the most memorable moments in tennis history. But on Thursday night, it served up something completely different: a festival of sport, celebrity, and pure joy. The special event, “Stars of the Open presented by Chase,†brought together a glittering mix of tennis legends, today’s young stars, and even a global soccer icon in Alex Morgan.
Instead of the tension of a US Open final or the extended rallies that decide careers, the crowd was treated to something lighter: short doubles tiebreaks played with microphones on, banter freely flowing, and smiles replacing scowls. It was all about entertainment, nostalgia, and celebrating the game of tennis on the world’s grandest tennis stage.
See also: Errani & Vavassori’s Resilience Seals Historic US Open 2025 Defense
The matchups themselves read like a dream exhibition lineup — combinations that fans could never see on the official circuit. Spectators cheered as Coco Gauff teamed up with Andre Agassi to face Venus Williams and John McEnroe; Joao Fonseca joined forces with Juan Martin Del Potro to take on Andy Roddick and Alex Michelsen; Elina Svitolina paired with husband Gael Monfils against Flavia Pennetta and rising Italian Flavio Cobolli; while Dana Mathewson and Jack Sock clashed with Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Casey Ratzlaff.
It was tennis, yes — but also comedy, theatre, and a celebration rolled into one.
A Star-Studded Gathering
Fans pouring into Arthur Ashe knew they were in for something unique the moment they scanned the lineup. Normally, clashes like Gauff vs. Venus or Roddick vs. Del Potro happen across the net with all stakes attached. But here, they were paired in unfamiliar, often hilarious duos that blurred generational lines.
For example, Coco Gauff — the reigning US Open champion and face of American tennis’s next decade — playing alongside Andre Agassi, a man whose heyday was in the 1990s, truly bridged eras. Likewise, the evergreen Venus Williams stepping onto court with John McEnroe was a mini-crossover event of the tennis multiverse.
Outside of tennis, the inclusion of Alex Morgan — a FIFA Women’s World Cup winner and global soccer superstar — highlighted that this wasn’t just a Tennis Hall of Fame gathering. It was a celebration of sport itself, with iconic athletes stepping into roles outside their comfort zones to entertain the crowd.
Matchups That Lit Up the Arena
Coco Gauff & Andre Agassi vs. Venus Williams & John McEnroe
This was the marquee matchup, a generational showdown that combined firepower, guile, comedy, and nostalgia. Gauff, always quick-footed and competitive even in exhibitions, blended seamlessly with Agassi’s crisp backhands and court craft. Across the net, Venus Williams brought her trademark elegance, while McEnroe, true to his reputation, added fiery quips into the microphone whenever a decision went against him.
The banter between McEnroe and Gauff drew hearty laughs. At one point, when Gauff rifled a backhand past him, McEnroe quipped, “I thought we weren’t keeping score!†Venus, meanwhile, reminded the crowd why she remains such a beloved figure, mixing gentle smiles with those occasional rocket forehands.
Joao Fonseca & Juan Martin Del Potro vs. Andy Roddick & Alex Michelsen
This pairing highlighted tennis’s past, present, and future. Fonseca, a teenage sensation touted as Brazil’s next big thing, was taken under the wing of his idol Del Potro. Seeing Del Potro back on Arthur Ashe, even for an exhibition, tugged at the heartstrings. The Argentine legend, who captivated crowds with his 2009 US Open triumph, received a standing ovation the moment he walked on court.
On the other side, US youngsters Andy Roddick and Alex Michelsen relished their partnership. Roddick, known for his humor, kept reminding Michelsen, “I’ve hit more aces in warm-ups than you have in your career.†Their duel with Del Potro produced some of the night’s longest rallies, though most ended with laughter as mishits and trick shots became the norm.
Elina Svitolina & Gael Monfils vs. Flavia Pennetta & Flavio Cobolli
This “family affair†pairing was a treat. Svitolina and Monfils, tennis’s power couple, showed not only chemistry on the court but also comedic timing. Monfils, always the entertainer, unleashed no-look shots, diving volleys, and dances after winners. The New York crowd, always appreciative of flair, roared in approval.
Across the net, Pennetta — who famously lifted the US Open trophy in 2015 — looked sharp, and her partner, young Italian Flavio Cobolli, showcased his booming forehand. The dynamic of veteran and rising star gave added charm. Ultimately, though, the story of the match was Monfils drawing applause with every acrobatic lunge.
Dana Mathewson & Jack Sock vs. Bethanie Mattek-Sands & Casey Ratzlaff
This matchup added depth and inclusion to the evening, spotlighting wheelchair tennis and adaptive sport alongside household tennis names. Dana Mathewson, a Paralympic star, embodied tenacity and spirit while partnering with Sock, known for his doubles flair and thunderous forehand.
Bethanie Mattek-Sands, with her vibrant personality and past doubles grand slam titles, is paired with Casey Ratzlaff, one of the prominent American wheelchair tennis players. Together, they showcased how seamlessly adaptive tennis merges with mainstream pro doubles. The result? Some of the most inspiring moments of the night, with long rallies that brought the crowd to their feet.
The Magic of Mic’d-Up Tennis
What made the evening especially engaging was that all players were mic’d up. Unlike regular ATP or WTA matches, where players often internalize their emotions, here, they voiced everything — from tactical directions to playful taunts.
Gauff repeatedly asked Agassi, “Do you want me to cover the middle or just stay out of your way?†to which Agassi replied, “Stay where you are — you’re faster than I ever was.â€
Monfils danced between points, prompting commentator-style narration of his own moves: “And now, Gael goes for the pirouette volley!â€
Roddick joked with the umpire that his serve should still count as 150+ mph “if we round it up.â€
The humor broke barriers. Fans, many of them used to watching tense, high-stakes rallies at the US Open, got to experience the lighter side of their idols.
Alex Morgan Steps into Tennis Spotlight
While Morgan wasn’t part of the competitive rotations, her presence was a highlight. The American soccer icon, one of the most recognizable athletes worldwide, hit a few balls during warm-ups and joined players courtside. Fans loved watching her interact with tennis stars and hearing her joke about how different tennis footwork is compared to soccer.
Her inclusion symbolized how events like this transcend specific sports. They’re cultural gatherings of athletic greatness, where boundaries dissolve and admiration flows across disciplines.
Nostalgia Meets New Era
The event was also about blending worlds: fans reminisced about Agassi’s heyday or Del Potro’s 2009 triumph, while simultaneously cheering the freshness of Gauff, Fonseca, and Michelsen.
Venus Williams represented an era that shaped modern women’s tennis, while Svitolina embodied resilience and comeback. Roddick reminded fans of America’s search for its last male singles champion, while Monfils reminded everyone that joy can be a legitimate playing style.
The event did not crown winners or losers. Instead, it crowned moments. And those moments reflected what tennis truly means: competition mixed with human connection, humor, and artistry.
Why “Stars of the Open†Matters
While an exhibition cannot measure up to the intensity of a slam match, events like this play a crucial role in tennis’s global promotion. They do three things beautifully:
Celebrate Icons: Retired greats like Agassi, Roddick, Pennetta, and McEnroe return to center stage, joyously reconnecting with fans.
Showcase Next-Gen Talent: Players like Gauff, Fonseca, and Cobolli gain spotlight outside the rigid seriousness of competition.
Expand Tennis’s Spirit: Inclusion of adaptive athletes like Mathewson and Ratzlaff, plus crossover with a global star like Alex Morgan, delivers the message that tennis embraces diversity and joy.
Fans’ Perspective
Spectators who filled Arthur Ashe left with more than just laughs. They reconnect with legends, watch emerging stars perform with freedom, and witness an environment where the sport isn’t about rankings or trophies but simply about love for the game. Many called it “the best exhibition the US Open has staged in years.â€
Conclusion
“Stars of the Open†wasn’t about competition. It was about celebration — of eras, of personalities, of tennis as a sport that unites. On this night, Arthur Ashe Stadium transformed into a stage of joy and nostalgia, where laughter and fun carried more weight than titles.
For players, it was a chance to reconnect with fans and each other. For fans, it was a cherished memory created in the shadow of New York’s glittering skyline. And for tennis itself, it was a reminder: the sport is at its most beautiful not only in battles won and lost but also in the shared moments of joy that transcend the scoreboard.
