US Open: Marvel and USTA join forces to highlight tennis 'super heroes'

The USTA and Marvel recently announced a landmark collaboration that would bring together tennis and the Marvel Universe for the first time at the 2024 US Open. Highlighting this historic alliance is an original comic book featuring the world’s biggest tennis stars alongside the Avengers, with 15,000 copies to be given away for free during US Open Fan Week, held August 19-25 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. 

The comic book – set at the US Open with a storyline driven by this year’s theme, “Celebrating the Power of Tennis” – will feature many of today’s tennis stars, including Naomi Osaka, Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, Frances Tiafoe, Jessica Pegula, Taylor Fritz, Aryna Sabalenka, Ben Shelton, Sloane Stephens and Nick Kyrgios, all alongside some of Marvel’s most iconic characters.

Print copies of the comic book will be given out for free to fans who have signed up for Fan Access Pass, with 1,500 books being given away each day from Monday through Friday of US Open Fan Week (August 19-23) and the remaining copies to be given away on Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day on Saturday, August 24, and on Sunday, August 25. The comic books will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis to fans who scan their Fan Access Pass at the ‘Power of Tennis’ booth near Arthur Ashe Stadium, with a limit of one comic per fan for the week.

Source: USTA

Additionally, Fan Week will host a variety of on-site activities featuring the Marvel Universe, such as Marvel character appearances, comic-book signings and ‘How a Comic is Made’ lessons from Marvel’s Spider-Man comics editor Nick Lowe, truly combining the worlds of tennis stars and Super Heroes.

"Bringing the Marvel Universe to the US Open for the first time will make this year's Fan Week one of the most unique and exciting places to be for everyone,” said Nicole Kankam, USTA Managing Director, Pro Tennis Marketing and Entertainment. “This collaboration not only elevates the on-site experience for fans but also strengthens the power of this year’s theme, with tennis’ top stars and Marvel Super Heroes ‘Celebrating the Power of Tennis’ together.”

"Marvel is a window to the world, with New York serving as the setting for so many of Marvel's epic stories. With the US Open's identity as a marquee New York City event, it was a natural for these two iconic brands to come together with some of the world's best tennis players to deliver a fun story showcasing the power of tennis for the fans," says Jon Harris, CEO of AthLife.

For a full rundown of US Open Fan Week events and activities, visit USOpen.org/FanWeek. The US Open Main Draw will run August 26-September 8.

This collaboration between the USTA and Marvel was facilitated by AthLife, Inc., Marvel’s longtime sports-centric agency of record.

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Source: USTA