Inside Lotte New York Palace’s Seventh Annual Palace Invitational
A riveting game of pickleball between Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz, Elena Rybakina and Caroline Wozniacki—judged by Andre Agassi—takes center stage at one of our favorite annual events
Yesterday saw the return of Lotte New York Palace‘s Palace Invitational—a pickleball competition (though in years passed it was a badminton battle) featuring some of the top talent in tennis today. This year saw reigning Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, American tennis star Taylor Fritz, acclaimed women’s singles player Elena Rybakina and former number one singles player Caroline Wozniacki volleying it out in the courtyard of the hotel’s Villard Mansion. Tennis legend Andre Agassi was on hand to provide expert commentary, as well.
Though it was close, Alcaraz took home the stellar event’s trophy. Altogether, it was organized in collaboration with Miami Pickleball Club. And, for the first time ever, the official cocktail of the US Open—the Grey Goose Honey Deuce—was served, alongside mini bottles of Moët & Chandon. Once again, the Palace Invitational acted as a playful precursor to New York City’s forthcoming tennis extravaganza.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 22: (L-R) Carlos Alcaraz, Elena Rybakina, Caroline Wozniacki, Andre Agassi, Craig Melvin, Delano Melvin, Sybil Melvin, Lindsay Czarniak, Taylor Fritz and Sheinelle Jones attend the 2024 Palace Invitational hosted by Lotte New York Palace at Lotte New York Palace on August 22, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for Lotte New York Palace) 
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 22: (L-R) Andre Agassi, Elena Rybakina, Caroline Wozniacki, Taylor Fritz and Carlos Alcaraz attend the 2024 Palace Invitational hosted by Lotte New York Palace at Lotte New York Palace on August 22, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for Lotte New York Palace) 
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 22: (L-R) Milan Rane, Carlos Alcaraz, Eric Oncins, Taylor Fritz, Caroline Wozniacki and Elena Rybakina attend the 2024 Palace Invitational hosted by Lotte New York Palace at Lotte New York Palace on August 22, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for Lotte New York Palace) 
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 22: Milan Rane and Carlos Alcaraz pose with trophy during the 2024 Palace Invitational hosted by Lotte New York Palace at Lotte New York Palace on August 22, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for Lotte New York Palace) 
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 22: Elena Rybakina and Eric Oncins pose with trophy during the 2024 Palace Invitational hosted by Lotte New York Palace at Lotte New York Palace on August 22, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for Lotte New York Palace) 
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 22: Elena Rybakina and Eric Oncins play pickleball during the 2024 Palace Invitational hosted by Lotte New York Palace at Lotte New York Palace on August 22, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for Lotte New York Palace) 
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 22: Andre Agassi and Carlos Alcaraz attend the 2024 Palace Invitational hosted by Lotte New York Palace at Lotte New York Palace on August 22, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for Lotte New York Palace) 
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 22: A view of the atmosphere during the 2024 Palace Invitational hosted by Lotte New York Palace at Lotte New York Palace on August 22, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for Lotte New York Palace) 
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 22: A view of the atmosphere during the 2024 Palace Invitational hosted by Lotte New York Palace at Lotte New York Palace on August 22, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for Lotte New York Palace) 
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 22: (L-R) Taylor Fritz, Caroline Wozniacki, Elena Rybakina, Carlos Alcaraz, Sheinelle Jones, Andre Agassi and Craig Melvin speak during the 2024 Palace Invitational hosted by Lotte New York Palace at Lotte New York Palace on August 22, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for Lotte New York Palace) 
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 22: A view of the atmosphere during the 2024 Palace Invitational hosted by Lotte New York Palace at Lotte New York Palace on August 22, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for Lotte New York Palace)
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