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he United States Tennis Association (USTA) and Zoom have announced a partnership for the US Open 2020, that will see fans offered virtual VIP experiences during the Grand Slam competition.

With the entirety of the tournament set to be played without fans in attendance, the USTA hopes this partnership will provide fans with unique experiences, with two VIP virtual hospitality events and a fundraiser event for the USTA Foundations.

The virtual VIP events will be open to guests invited by Zoom, with Q&A sessions with tennis legends, celebrity exchanges, tutorials for the Honey Deuce cocktail and other US Open culinary offerings, the events will aim to engage tennis fans in a never-before-seen way.

USTA chief revenue officer, Lew Sherr, said the COVID-19 pandemic forced the US Open to look at new ways to engage fans and Zoom provides the best opportunity to do so.

“This year has compelled the tournament to innovate in very different ways,” Sherr said.

“This new and exciting partnership with Zoom enables us to leverage their best-in-class capabilities to re-imagine spectacular in a virtual environment.

“We also greatly appreciate their support for the USTA Foundation and our efforts to celebrate health care champions across the globe,” he said.

Zoom chief marketing officer, Janine Pelosi, said the partnership will also see USTA create a tribute to local healthcare workers with a virtual interview series on Zoom honouring 14 ‘healthcare champions’ around the world.

“It’s thrilling to partner with organisations that share our innovative spirit,” Pelosi said.

“We’re constantly thinking of ways to engage with our customers in this new world of robust virtual experiences.

“We’re also deeply thankful for, and proud to support the USTA in paying tribute to all of the healthcare workers who have been on the frontlines caring for those affected by COVID-19,” she said.