Carlos Alcaraz, Ben Shelton, Jessica Pegula, and Emma Navarro are ready to compete in the Garden Cup this Wednesday, an exhibition event in New York. The Madison Square Garden will host a showdown between the local female stars, followed by a men’s match featuring the 4-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz against hometown favourite Shelton.
Upon their arrival in New York, all four players participated in promotional activities ahead of the event. In a video shared by Tennis Channel, the players were asked: "How would you hail a cab in NYC?"
When Pegula was asked if she would whistle, she replied: "Can't whistle, that would not go well," she said, laughing. "Big wave, kinda jumping in the street."
Shelton had a simpler approach: "Imma give a yooo... I would probably just yell."
Alcaraz and Navarro also joined the fun in the lighthearted video shared on social media, which you can watch below.
Despite a busy schedule, World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz is committed to two exhibitions in the U.S. this week, beginning with his clash against Shelton at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. Following this, he will travel to Charlotte to face Frances Tiafoe two days later in what will be his final event of the year.
In an interview with New York Tennis Magazine a few days ago, Alcaraz invited fans to attend his match against Shelton: "I am looking forward to returning to New York on December 4 to play Ben at Madison Square Garden. Playing in front of the New York fans at The World's Most Famous Arena will be an unforgettable night," Alcaraz said.
In the women’s matchup, Pegula and Navarro will face each other in an exciting duel. In their last appearances in New York, Navarro reached the semifinals of the US Open, while Pegula made it to the final, with both players losing to current World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
"It’s so weird. It feels like I was just here," Jessica Pegula told the New York Post on Tuesday. "My coach was here with me, and he’s like, ‘Oh God, we’re back.’ … Just the stress and just everything and the chaos of those three weeks, it’s kind of funny, you feel it instantly coming back to the city."
"It is [cool] to come back into the city and kind of remember the experience I had at the U.S. Open," Emma Navarro said. "Putting on a little bit of a show in a more relaxed atmosphere [at the Garden Cup], I think, is really exciting."