ITIA examines pre-US Open party attended by Sabalenka, Gauff and Serena over possible irregularities

Sunday, 06 September 2026 at 00:30

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) is examining the circumstances surrounding a star-studded party held in New York just days before the 2026 US Open, according to Ben Rothenberg's Bounces newsletter. Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Serena Williams and several other prominent tennis figures attended the event, which was presented as a DraftKings players party.

The gathering took place on August 27 at the Crane Club in Manhattan, three days before the US Open main draw began. According to Bounces, Miami nightlife entrepreneur Dave Grutman hosted the event and described it on Instagram as the “DraftKings Welcome Players Party.”

Photographs from the evening showed several players posing with Grutman in front of a backdrop covered with DraftKings logos. Sabalenka, Gauff, Serena, Mirra Andreeva, Grigor Dimitrov and Eva Lys were among those pictured, while Taylor Fritz, Matteo Berrettini, Alexandra Eala, Anna Kalinskaya and Elena-Gabriela Ruse were also reported to have attended.

Importantly, there has been no announcement of an investigation or wrongdoing involving Sabalenka, Gauff, Serena or any other individual player. Bounces reported that multiple people within tennis flagged the event to integrity authorities after photographs circulated, prompting the ITIA to examine the circumstances.

Why the DraftKings connection matters

The potential issue is not simply that tennis players attended a party. It is the event's apparent connection to DraftKings, a company that offers sports betting, and the promotional setting in which some players were photographed alongside the company's branding.

The 2026 Tennis Anti-Corruption Program prohibits people covered by its rules from facilitating, encouraging or promoting tennis betting. It also restricts endorsements, sponsorships and other forms of engagement with tennis betting operators.

mirra and gabi ruse are at the draftkings players party😍 pic.twitter.com/2ml7RNhsNR
— diana | #M1RRA (@anirayef) August 28, 2026

That does not mean that attending a betting-sponsored event automatically constitutes a violation. The key question is whether the players' presence and participation amounted to promotion or another prohibited form of association with the betting operator.

The ITIA confirmed to Bounces that it was aware of the event and was “looking into the circumstances and details.” The agency has not announced any sanctions or concluded that a rule violation took place.

According to Rothenberg's reporting, conversations with agents and players indicated that those who attended were not paid to appear at the event. However, this has not been independently confirmed by the ITIA or DraftKings and therefore remains information reported by Bounces, rather than an official finding.

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Una publicación compartida de David Grutman (@davidgrutman)

A growing betting debate in tennis

The controversy comes as betting companies become increasingly visible around professional tennis. DraftKings was behind the New York party, while Kalshi branding has also appeared at the US Open itself, highlighting the increasingly prominent role of betting-related companies around the sport.

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That creates a distinction between tournaments and players. Players may compete at events where betting companies are official commercial partners, but the anti-corruption rules place tighter restrictions on their own relationships with betting operators.

For now, the DraftKings party remains an ITIA examination rather than a disciplinary case with established wrongdoing. The agency's review will determine whether the circumstances surrounding the event crossed the line set by tennis's anti-corruption rules.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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