A pre-U.S. Open party attended by several prominent tennis players is under investigation by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) due to its sponsorship by gambling company DraftKings. The event, hosted by Miami restaurateur Dave Grutman at the Crane Club in New York City on August 27, 2026, has drawn scrutiny from tennis integrity officials.
ITIA spokesperson Ben Rothenberg confirmed awareness of the event and stated that the agency is "looking into the circumstances and details." Attendees included stars such as Aryna Sabalenka, Serena Williams, Eva Lys, Maria Andreeva, and Coco Gauff, all of whom were photographed with Grutman in front of a DraftKings-branded backdrop. Other notable guests included Taylor Fritz, Matteo Berrettini, Alexandra Eala, Anna Kalinskaya, and former player and ESPN commentator Caroline Wozniacki.
While players were reportedly not paid to attend the event, their participation could still constitute a violation of anti-corruption rules. Tennis Anti-Corruption rules D.1.b and D.1.q prohibit "Covered Persons" from facilitating, encouraging, or promoting tennis betting, or from endorsing, being employed by, or sponsored by a tennis betting operator.
Anna Kalinskaya told Rothenberg that she attended the party to socialize with friends and was unaware of the DraftKings sponsorship. Grutman, whose hospitality group includes several Miami venues and the LIV nightclub, is a self-described tennis enthusiast with known connections to many top players, often providing them with perks.
Violations of these rules can result in penalties ranging from a private warning to significant fines. Past cases, such as those involving former players James Blake, Mardy Fish, and Bob Bryan, have seen them fined five-figure sums for paid promotions involving gambling companies. The ITIA's review will determine whether any attendees violated the sport's integrity rules.