Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios will be among the stars lighting up Madison Square Garden this December as part of the 2025 Garden Cup, an exhibition benefiting the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Joining them will be four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka and American No. 3 Tommy Paul, making for a blockbuster one-night event at “The World’s Most Famous Arena” on Monday, December 8. The special showcase promises fireworks on and off the court.
Recently, Osaka and Kyrgios were scheduled to team up for the US Open mixed doubles, but the Australian ultimately withdrew, and the Japanese star ended up making a last-minute appearance with Gaël Monfils. A similar situation happened with Sabalenka, who was supposed to partner with Grigor Dimitrov, but after the Bulgarian’s injury, she decided to withdraw from the event. Paul himself was also expected to participate in the same tournament with Jessica Pegula but ended up pulling out due to an injury, and the 2024 US Open runner-up then joined Jack Draper.
This year marks the 12th edition of The Garden Cup, a charity evento to celebrate on December 8 benefiting the International Hall of Fame. The exhibition has already featured 23 former World No. 1 players over its history. Fans can expect electrifying singles duels, a mixed doubles finale, and the glamour of Madison Square Garden under the December lights.
For Sabalenka, returning to New York so soon after lifting back-to-back US Open titles will be especially poignant. The World No. 1 is set to face Naomi Osaka in a clash between two Grand Slam powerhouses. “I love playing in New York so coming back to The Garden at holiday time will be awesome,” Sabalenka said. “And playing Naomi, who just had such a great US Open, will be really special.” Their match-up marks the first Garden appearance for both champions.
Osaka, who reached the semifinals at Flushing Meadows just days ago, echoed the sentiment. “Playing at Madison Square Garden has a special meaning for a tennis player. The history there is unmatched in sports, and I am looking forward to playing Aryna in December,” she said. The two women have met once before in a competitive match at the 2018 US Open, with Osaka taking victory in the Round of 16. Their reunion promises to deliver an electrifying rematch in one of sport’s most iconic venues.
Kyrgios and Paul add star power
Charismatic showman Nick Kyrgios will take to the Garden court for the second time in his career. The Australian, a 2022 Wimbledon finalist, brings his trademark flair and unpredictability to the exhibition as he faces American Olympic medalist Tommy Paul. “I don’t know how many more times I will play in New York City so playing Tommy at The Garden will be outrageous. And the mixed doubles will be fun for everyone,” Kyrgios declared.
Paul, currently ranked World No. 14, will make his Garden debut, adding: “I have watched as all the great players of our sport have played at The Garden over the last fifteen years. To be part of that will be one of the memorable moments of my career and I am really looking forward to it.” Their singles duel will be followed by a mixed doubles exhibition, ensuring fans get a full evening of entertainment.
A tradition of excellence
Since its inception in 2008, the Garden Cup has drawn an elite cast of players, from Roger Federer and Pete Sampras to Serena and Venus Williams, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Maria Sharapova. The exhibition has become a bridge between eras, celebrating both legends of the past and stars of the present. This year’s line-up continues that legacy, uniting Sabalenka, Osaka, Kyrgios, and Paul for a night of tennis history and festive fun.
Dan Faber, CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, emphasized the significance: “We are incredibly grateful for The Garden Cup’s generous support of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and our mission to preserve and promote tennis history while celebrating its champions to inspire excellence in future generations. This opportunity connects the sport’s present with its past. We look forward to an incredible evening at Madison Square Garden.”
AloJapan.com