Spectacular, Staggering, Sold-Out: The US Open Turns Honey Deuces Into a $17 Million Moment
From the first rally to the final toast, this year’s US Open became a celebration of spectacle and scale. Honey Deuces—the Grey Goose vodka-and-lemonade cocktail topped with honeydew balls—rolled through the stands at $23 a pop, totaling $17 million in sales. Fans guzzled 738,459 of them, a 32% jump from last year. The tournament also drew a record-smashing 1.14 million spectators to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center between Aug. 24 and Sept. 7, a 9% rise and the biggest crowd in the event’s history. And the prize purse climbed to $90 million—the largest payday in professional tennis, up 20% from the previous year’s haul."
In This Article:
The Honey Deuce: A Drink That Defined a Tournament
The Honey Deuce is a Grey Goose vodka-and-lemonade cocktail topped with a skewer of honeydew melon balls. It costs $23 per drink. During the 2025 tournament, 738,459 were sold, a 32% increase from 2024. The drink’s popularity mirrored the tournament’s energy: refreshing, social, and unmistakably linked to the event’s identity. For many fans, a quick Honey Deuce became as essential as a rally on the court.
A Record Crowd and an Electric Atmosphere
Attendance soared to 1.14 million spectators, a 9% surge over last year, marking the largest crowd in the event’s history. The surge wasn’t just numbers—it was a palpable energy, a shared experience that fused sport, celebration, and community. The stands hummed with excitement as players delivered drama on the court and fans celebrated every moment as if tennis could still astonish at every turn.
The Purse and Historic Prize Payouts
Money mattered as much as moments. The US Open posted a $90 million purse—the largest in professional tennis and a 20% increase from last year’s $75 million. Singles champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka each earned $5 million, the biggest winner’s checks in tennis history, a 39% rise from the previous year’s $3.6 million. For the first time, the winning teams in men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles each took home $1 million. These numbers are more than numbers—they signal a shift in how tennis profits and prestige are shared.
Merch, Messages, and the Power of Sport
Even the gift shops hit aces, with US Open-branded merchandise driving big sales. Ralph Lauren jackets sold for $268, Peter Millar polos for $130, and teddy bears for $42, all up 27% year over year, according to the USTA." Stacey Allaster, Chief Executive of Pro Tennis and US Open Tournament Director, summed up the spirit of the week: “This year’s US Open truly embodied the spirit of ‘Spectacular,’ surpassing expectations and setting new records across the board—from fan engagement and player impact to partner success that inspired a love for tennis to grow the sport at the community level.” She added a call-to-action moment: “What do you think? Post a comment.” And she closed with another reflection: “What we achieved together over these three incredible weeks is a reminder of the power of sport and the extraordinary potential still waiting to be unlocked in tennis.”
