PHOTOS: Joao Fonseca celebrates birthday with Juan Martin del Potro at Stars of the Open
The charity showcase mixed tennis legends, rising stars and surprise cameos in benefit of the USTA Foundation.
NEW YORK — The US Open’s annual charity showcase, Stars of the Open, brought legends and rising stars to Arthur Ashe Stadium Thursday night—and gave fans a preview of the action to come.
Part of the tournament’s Fan Week—along with the revamped mixed doubles event and the qualifying tournament—the exhibition event mixed tennis, celebrity cameos, and good vibes while raising money for the USTA Foundation.
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On court were some of the game’s biggest names—Venus Williams, Coco Gauff, Joao Fonseca, and more—alongside icons like Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, John McEnroe, and Juan Martin del Potro. Even soccer superstar Alex Morgan joined the fun.
Venus brings the fashion
The night opened with an all-American showdown: Coco Gauff and Agassi vs. Venus Williams and McEnroe.
The highlight? Agassi proving he still has the touch—and Venus stealing the style spotlight.
Her outfit, a monochrome black look featuring a pleated skirt, zip-up jacket with ruffled seams, and white Lacoste sneakers, earned praise from fashion outlets like WWD for its edgy flair.
Alex Morgan trades the pitch for the court
It wasn’t just tennis players taking the spotlight.
Two-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist Alex Morgan subbed in for Agassi during a match, earning instant praise from Gauff: “So good! She’s already doing better than Andre,” she quipped.
Fonseca and Del Potro team up
One of the night’s most talked-about pairings saw 19-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca, a fast-rising talent, partner with 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro. They faced 20-year-old American Alex Michelsen and 2003 champion Andy Roddick.
“It was super nice, he’s a great guy,” Fonseca told press afterward. “I also speak Spanish, and we talked a little bit in Spanish. Also, my coach Franco used to be his coach, so we chatted a little bit about that. He talked a little bit about when he played here in 2009.
“He’s an inspiring guy,not just for the player that he was but for the guy that he is.”
A birthday to remember
The evening turned into a party when the crowd—23,000 strong—sang “Happy Birthday” to Fonseca, who turned 19 on Thursday.
Host Andrea Petkovic led the serenade, joined by Michelsen, Roddick, and Del Potro.
“It’s your birthday today, and I don’t think a lot of people get to have happy birthday sang to them by 23,000 people. We will try today with this New York crowd!” said Petkovic
Love match: Svitolina and Monfils take the court
The husband-and-wife team of Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils faced Flavia Pennetta, the 2015 US Open champion, and Italian youngster Flavio Cobolli.
But the real showdown was between the women, while the men looked on and laughed.
A showcase for wheelchair tennis
The finale featured a wheelchair doubles exhibition: Dana Mathewson and Jack Sock vs. Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Casey Ratzlaff.
The US Open is marking the 20th anniversary of its wheelchair competition, which kicks off September 2 and runs through September 6. The singles main draw starts on Sunday, August 24.
A portion of ticket proceeds supports the USTA Foundation, helping fund tennis and education programs for under-resourced communities.