One World Players Party Takes Over New York City
Just two days before the 2017 US Open Tennis Championships kicked off in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., for the year’s final major, the tennis world’s attention was focused on the One World Players Party.
The event, held on the 64th Floor of the One World Trade Center in New York, was presented by Grand Slam Goes Polish and produced by Premier Live and SG*Doyen. The party benefited many charitable causes in the tennis industry including the National Tennis Foundation, several ATP World Tour and WTA Tour Player Charities, and WeConnect – a solutions-based platform founded by 1993 French Open Men’s Doubles Champion, Murphy Jensen.
During the invitation-only event, party-goers enjoyed food and drinks, networking, and live entertainment from 12-year old phenom Zia Victoria, who has performed on “The Today Show” and regularly contributes her musical talents to the Novak Djokovic Foundation and Help for Heroes.
Attendees also interacted with many top professional tennis players in the world including Former World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, 2017 Wimbledon Semifinalist Sam Querrey, 2017 Wimbledon Finalist Agnieszka Radwanska, tennis legends Tracy Austin and Johan Kriek and even NBA World Champion David Lee (dating Wozniacki).
As attendees settled in for the night with absolutely breathtaking 360-degree views of Manhattan and Brooklyn, the much-anticipated $50,000 Ping Pong Pro-Am Tournament, sponsored by SPiN New York City, kicked-off with Jensen as the emcee. Sixteen players, including eight pros and eight amateurs, were split up into two groups of eight, playing in fast-paced matches to 11 points, with the ultimate winner at the end of the evening walking away with a $50,000 check.
ATP and WTA players including Querrey, Nicole Gibbs, Lauren Davis, Donald Young, Taylor Fritz and Dominic Inglot had their ping pong skills put to the test against some of the top amateur players in the country. After a couple grueling hours of intense matches, former ATP Doubles World No. 57 Andreas Siljestrom of Sweden ultimately edged past American Donald Young for the championship and winner’s check.
Also featured during the evening were two paintings by McTier Art – “20 Years at Arthur Ashe” and “The Beautiful Game” – which were on display for auction.
SG*Doyen, which is led by Pawel Gasior and Marius Gebski, has been in an industry leader for over 20 years in sports management services and business consulting, both nationally and internationally. SG*Doyen regularly organizes and hosts the “US Open Goes Polish” Players Party in New York, as well as “Grand Slam Goes Polish” in Paris.
Premier Live was founded by tennis enthusiasts who create world class events and travel experiences involving tennis, golf and music including The Necker Cup Tennis and The Necker Cup Golf Pro-Am’s in partnership with Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Group. Since launching its unique events, Premier Live has raised more than $3 million for charities such as The National Tennis Foundation, Novak Djokovic Foundation, Rafael Nadal Foundation, Bryan Brothers Foundation, Inspiring Children Foundation, Virgin Unite and many ATP World Tour, WTA Tour and PGA Tour Player Charities.
