“For me, the US Open has always felt like a celebration of New York at its most energetic. Tennis and food share a lot in common, they bring people together, give us a reason to celebrate, and are really about enjoying the moment,” Olvera says. “I love the opportunity to introduce people to the flavors and traditions of Mexico in a setting that is so distinctly New York and to be part of the excitement that surrounds the Open each year.”
The growing involvement of prominent chefs is also driven by the tournament’s scale and spending power. The 2025 main draw attracted 905,255 fans, while attendance across the full three-week event reached a record 1,144,562. Food and beverage sales increased 19 percent from 2024, more than twice the 9 percent increase in total attendance. This year, visitors can spend $32 on a Salt Hank’s French dip or $100 on six caviar-topped chicken nuggets, making the tournament a potentially lucrative showcase for participating chefs and restaurants.
Few drinks have become as closely associated with a sporting event as the Honey Deuce. Created by restaurateur Nick Mautone in 2006 and introduced at the US Open the following year, the cocktail combines Grey Goose vodka, lemonade, raspberry liqueur, and a garnish of honeydew melon balls designed to resemble tennis balls. In 2025, the tournament sold a record 738,459 Honey Deuces at $23 each, generating nearly $17 million. Its relatively simple formula has also inspired variations at bars and restaurants across New York.
Although the original Honey Deuce is widely available across the city, some bars and restaurants are taking the idea further. Dante serves a greener variation made with Grey Goose, melon liqueur, honeydew, pineapple, salted honey, and S.Pellegrino. At Clemente Bar above Eleven Madison Park, the clarified Sour Love combines Grey Goose with tomato gin, aloe, muskmelon liqueur, green tomato, and watermelon. Colombian fine-dining restaurant Elcielo has extended the theme to its tasting menu with a scallop and honeydew ceviche brightened with lulo.
Dining and Cooking