A Look Back at Wimbledon in New York: Agassi, Wozniacki, Blake and Bouchard Play Tennis in Central Park
Aug 16, 2026
With the US Open approaching, all eyes are on tennis in the Big Apple. But earlier this summer, Wimbledon took over New York.
The Wimbledon Court in Central Park transformed Wollman Rink into a grass-court tennis showcase, bringing the traditions, atmosphere and unmistakable look of The Championships to New York City. The four-day activation drew more than 14,000 fans and marked the fifth year of Wimbledon’s growing presence in New York.
The centerpiece was a real grass tennis court installed in Central Park and maintained by members of Wimbledon’s own expert groundskeeping team. According to organizers, it was the first time a grass court of its kind had been laid in Central Park, giving New Yorkers a rare opportunity to experience a surface that has defined Wimbledon for generations.
Photo credit: The Experiential Group
The weekend opened with plenty of star power. Andre Agassi, Caroline Wozniacki, James Blake and Eugenie Bouchard stepped onto the grass for the Wimbledon Court Invitational, a friendly doubles exhibition that brought four of the sport’s most recognizable names together in one of New York’s most famous public spaces.
For fans, it was a unique collision of tennis history and New York culture. Agassi, an eight-time Grand Slam singles champion, joined former world No. 1 and Australian Open champion Wozniacki, former American No. 4 Blake and 2014 Wimbledon finalist Bouchard for a match designed more around celebration than competition.
The tennis continued throughout the activation, with visitors getting opportunities to step onto the grass themselves through free clinics led by coaches. The experience was designed to recreate more than simply Wimbledon’s playing surface, with traditional food and drink offerings helping bring a taste of The Championships to Central Park.
Photo credit: The Experiential Group
Fans could enjoy Pimm’s and Eton Mess while taking in the grass-court setting, creating an atmosphere that felt far removed from the hard courts and summer heat traditionally associated with tennis in New York.
The event eventually shifted from live tennis to live viewing. On the opening day of Wimbledon, fans gathered at Wollman Rink to watch coverage from London on a 30-foot LED screen. Spectators filled the stands and spread picnic blankets across the grass as the action from the All England Club played thousands of miles away.
The Central Park activation represented the latest evolution of an idea that began five years ago as “The Hill in New York” at Brooklyn Bridge Park. What started as an opportunity for New Yorkers to gather and watch Wimbledon has grown into a larger immersive event built around the tournament’s traditions and identity.
Photo credit: The Experiential Group
The Experiential Group has worked with the All England Lawn Tennis Club on the New York activation for four years, helping develop the concept and overseeing logistics ranging from construction of the grass court and grandstands to livestreaming and fan experiences.
“What began as tennis fans gathered at Brooklyn Bridge Park to watch the Wimbledon finals has evolved into something we couldn’t have imagined when we started,” said Frank Moran, founder of The Experiential Group.
The project also reflects a broader trend in professional tennis, with the sport’s biggest events increasingly extending their brands far beyond the tournament grounds. Wimbledon’s move into Central Park allowed the tournament to introduce its traditions to fans who may never make the trip to the All England Club while strengthening its connection with one of the world’s most important tennis cities.
For one summer weekend, New Yorkers didn’t have to cross the Atlantic to get a taste of Wimbledon.
They just had to head to Central Park.
===
Source: The Experiential Group
FLORIDA TENNIS NEWS — POWERED BY OUR PARTNERS
