There’s no shortage of love at the US Open tennis tournament (or love-15, or love-40), but the USTA and Fresh Tape Media think that there is more love to be found.
The Tennis association and production company are planning to shoot an entire reality dating series on the grounds of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, during this year’s US Open tournament. The series, Game, Set, Matchmaker, will follow a woman (Ilana Sedaka, aka “The Champion”) and a cast of potential partners that include influencers, tennis superfans, and social personalities, as she seeks an, ahem, match amid the milieu of one of the biggest events in tennis.
“I’ve been going to the US Open since I was little, and it’s honestly one of the best sporting events in the world—so to be stepping into something this fun, flirty, and personal right in the middle of it is kind of surreal,” Sedaka says. “I’ve actually gone on a few dates at the Open before, but this time, I get to explore real connection with seven amazing guys and actually choose what feels right for me. I’m in a place where I know what I want, and I’m not afraid to take my time and see who’s really showing up.”
The series will run on the official US Open YouTube channel, with the first episode posting on the first official day of the Open, Aug. 24, and the finale times to the women’s final. US Open sponsors Dobel Tequila and Moët & Chandon will be integrated into the show, ensuring that the champagne and Ace Paloma’s flow freely.
“We’re excited to break new ground with Game, Set, Matchmaker, at the US Open and across our channels this year,” says Jonathan Zipper, senior director of social media for the USTA, in a statement. “It’s the perfect time for us to launch a fun, social-forward concept that meets the moment, engaging fans at the intersection of tennis, pop culture and entertainment.”
“The US Open is more than a tournament; it’s a cultural stage,” adds Alana Glenn Moritz, creative director for Fresh Tape Media. “We built this series to capture that energy in its purest form. It’s unexpected, it’s current, and it taps into the drama and connection that makes this event unlike anything else.”