Spotting a celebrity in the stands of Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open is not a challenge: the seats are packed with Hollywood stars, politicians, musicians and all sorts of famous faces. The US Open is absolutely a first and notable event for New York City.
On the opening night of the tennis tournament, to see Serena Williams play before retirement, the stars were absolutely out in force. Tickets were a hot commodity; after Williams announced her decision to leave the sport she has dominated for so long, prices jumped over 300%. You had to know someone who knew someone to get in – and all these celebrities definitely knew someone.
From designer Vera Wang to actor Hugh Jackman to former President Bill Clinton, here’s every celebrity who attended the 2022 US Open. (We’ll update this post as the tournament continues.)
Queen Latifa showed a tribute video to Serena playing as she walked over Ashe – and of course, the American rapper and actress was in the audience to cheer on the Queen of Tennis.
Actor Hugh Jackman, on a night off from performing at The Music Man on Broadway, was like any other fan in the stands.
Broadway’s Anika Noni Rose, perhaps most famous for voicing Princess Tiana The Princess and the Frogsang the national anthem during the opening ceremony – and then stuck around to watch the game.
Model Ashley Graham had a blast in the stands. She posted on her Instagram stories, “@SerenaWilliams we love you CIDI!”
Perhaps the oddest duo of the evening was former US President Bill Clinton, sitting next to Dr. Ruth Westheimer, a Holocaust survivor turned sex therapist. “Who knows what they’re talking about?” said commentator John McEnroe on the ESPN broadcast.
One of Hillary Clinton’s top aides, Huma Abedin, was also on the stand.
Designer Vera Wang looked cool wearing sunglasses for the night as she watched Williams play.
Actor Anthony Anderson also showed up in Flushings to watch Williams play, wearing a blue suit in the wet New York weather.
Bella Hadid – along with her sister Gigi Hadid – has long been a fan of Serena Williams and Hadid are regulars at the US Open. While Gigi wasn’t in attendance last night, Bella was pictured getting really into the game – she sat down with rapper Offset (left) and her boyfriend Marc Kalman (right).
Rebel Wilson was in the stands in a hot pink outfit. The Australian actress brought along her girlfriend Ramona Agruma (pictured sitting next to Wilson).
Spike Lee, a regular at Knicks games, was equally animated watching the tennis match. He also helped with the coin toss before the game
Former professional boxer Mike Tyson, along with his wife Lakiha Spicer, were in the stands.
Former NBA star turned actor Rick Fox also got in on the action.
Fox and Tyson weren’t the only retired athletes in the stands: Olympic skier Lindsay Vonn was in attendance, looking chic in an all-black outfit and oversized pink blazer. She is pictured here standing next to Bill Clinton.
Empress of Soul Gladys Knight kept cool in a black baseball cap as she watched Williams play.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, along with his girlfriend Tracey Collins, were also spotted at Ashe for the match. Adams wore a fun polka dot blazer — perhaps a nod to tennis balls.
On an off night, Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor went next door to watch Williams play. (Citi Field and the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center are neighbors.)
Last but certainly not least, Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian, her daughter Olympia, sister Isha Price and mom Oracene Price sat in Williams’ box to cheer her on. Olympia wore her hair in white beaded braids, channeling her mother’s US Open hairstyle.
Emily Burak
Emily Burack (she/her) is a news writer for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royal family and a variety of other topics.
