The night began when David Haggerty, president of the USTA, introduced the legendary Billy Jean King, winner of 39 Grand Slam championships and the founder of the WTA. King then introduced Mayor Michael Bloomberg and presented him with the key to the Billy Jean King National Tennis Center, which was followed by a foot-stomping performance by Lenny Kravitz that had fans dancing in the isle.
Celebrities in attendance included Kevin Spacey, Robin Roberts of ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Jason Sudeikis, Olivia Wilde, Cuba Gooding Jr., Zachary Levi, Olivia Culpo, Bob Balaban, Johnny Weir, Anne Burrell and Matt Bomer.
The night continued with a spectacular performance by No. 1-ranked Serena Williams defeating her opponent Francesco Schiavone of Italy 60-61. Although Williams didn’t have any aces in the match, she served up some great winners to dominate.
Earlier in the day, Venus Williams defeated Kristen Flipkens of Belgium 61-62. Venus Williams, looking very slim and fit, has become a vegan to help manage her Sjogren’s. She admits that she misses eating steaks, but she likes the green drinks and smoothies and she would only have them if she could. “I’m not a big food person. I eat to live. I don’t live to eat,” she said
Sloane Stephens defeated M. Minella of Luxemburg in a tie break 46, 63, 76. Stephens got off to a slow start but picked it up in the second set. Stephens was down 42 in the tie break and was asked if she said anything to herself. She replied, “‘Reality check. Pull yourself together, you can do this.’ Just the normal. I never deviate from the whole reality check, so it works well for me.”