Insights from Aryna Sabalenka and Stan Wawrinka

The US Open, the final Grand Slam of the year, is in full swing, captivating audiences with thrilling matches and electrifying atmospheres. While spectators enjoy the spectacle from the stands, the experience for players on the court is vastly different.

We spoke with 2023 US Open runner-up Aryna Sabalenka and 2016 champion Stan Wawrinka to uncover some behind-the-scenes facts that fans might not know about the tournament.

Sabalenka, who is currently in the semifinals, shared her excitement about returning to the US Open after her impressive performance last year. "It's exciting to come back, especially being a runner-up last year," she said. "It's a big motivation for me to do a little bit better than I did last year, so I'm really excited to come back."

Wawrinka, who spoke to us through his partnership with Evian, the official water of the US Open, echoed Sabalenka's sentiments. "We always have an amazing atmosphere when you play," he said. "It doesn't matter which court, and I enjoy that. That's one of the reasons why I keep playing is to relive those moments, to have this emotion coming from the fans, and New York is really special for that."

From the signature cocktails to the branded outfits, here are six things you might not know about the US Open: