Open Season: it’s the time of year when everyone in New York is dedicated to serving, on and off the tennis court. Sports fans and style spectators alike flock to the city to be at the center of the action—or, their favorite watch-party spot, like the Lower East Side’s Commodore II. Last weekend, the tiki bar with a Southern twist transformed into a tennis-lover’s paradise for the launch of the reimagined Wilson SBR. Players and tastemakers descended upon the space to view the night’s thrilling Women’s singles final match while sizing up the sneaker game’s newest contender.
Before even stepping inside Commodore II, guests were greeted with an outdoor table-tennis tournament inviting them to show off their skills and their ensembles—many of which featured Wilson jackets and tees layered with crisply pleated skirts, polished athleisure wear, or the NYC take on tennis whites.
Inside, the night’s game was projected onto a wall of the bar to create a VIP viewing experience. DJs Angel Sophia Macklin and Kasper Bejoian (a lifelong tennis player himself) energized the room with house hits and Y2K anthems, amping up the crowd between each electrifying serve and volley. Shadow boxes flanked the space, brimming with neon-green tennis balls (Wilson, of course) as the Wilson SBR sneaker nestled atop each pile.
Wilson has long been synonymous with all things sporting goods (see: their name emblazoned on every ball and racket at the tennis court). The legacy brand’s revamped SBR sneaker shows just why that is. Originally released in 1994 as a specialized shoe for indoor-court games like racquetball, the new iteration boasts a premium look, feel, and functionality that turns every match into a moment. The high-resilience foam sole delivers on comfort while being lightweight enough to move with you.
If you’re more comfortable strutting than breaking a sweat, the Wilson SBR is also street-style approved for the spectators among us. Its low-cut silhouette opens up a world of medal-worthy styling possibilities both on the court and wherever you recharge post-game. After all, the goal this time of year is to set trends not just in the stands, but beyond them.
While admiring the future footwear phenom, Cjay Syre and the downtown creative class indulged in the Honey Tres, the Commodore’s answer to the viral Honey Deuce. The limited-time signature cocktail was crafted with tequila and topped off with pineapple spheres for an Instagram-worthy look. Because no viewing party is complete without the food, Southern classics like the fried chicken, burgers, and fries, the bar is known for, made up the menu du jour. Between bites, spectators let out cheers for their favorite players and complimented winning looks worn on the sidelines.
The game may have come to an end, but the sports and fashion fans in the room were still buzzing with excitement as they streamed out of the LES locale. It’s not every day you get to see a titan at the top of their game, but Wilson’s elevated SBR is a true grand slam. Combining decades of experience with the latest technical innovations and a timeless aesthetic, the shoe of the night earned a call of “Game, set, match”—leaving everyone in love.
Discover the Wilson SBR Silhouette here.
