1 week ago
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As the US Open heats up, tennis's biggest stars are unwinding off-court at a chic Midtown Italian spot; Osteria Delbianco.
The stylish Italian hotspot, tucked just off Madison Avenue on East 49th Street, has become a ritual stop for the world's best as they carbo-load before match day.
It's attracted the likes of World No. 1 and No. 2 Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz - who even ended up dining there at the same time last week.
'We run into each other. Just was a coincidence,' Alcaraz told reporters with a grin after their Thursday encounter. 'It is a good restaurant.'
Good enough for the Spanish star to return days later on Monday, along an entourage of 11, including his father and coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, former World No. 1.
Alcaraz enjoyed a plate of gnocchi with 'a little ragu and truffle,' paired with grilled fish and roasted potatoes, co-owner Gustavo Hodzic revealed.
Jannik Sinner is one of many tennis stars flocking to Midtown hotspot Osteria Delbianco
Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz is also a frequent visitor at the stylish Italian restaurant
This chic Italian hotspot is tucked just off Madison Avenue on East 49th Street
'He's been here before and he knows what he likes,' he told the New York Post.
Sinner, meanwhile, is a longtime regular and favorite of the staff. The 24-year-old Italian first dined at the Osteria in 2020 and has returned each year during the Open.
'Sinner, he like the pasta with the bolognese sauce,' Hodzic said. 'He also likes the veal and scallops. A good Italian cook, traditional tastes - his father was a chef, too.'
On Sunday, Sinner's quarterfinal opponent Lorenzo Musetti also dined at the Osteria, continuing the trend of top players filling up on carbs before big matches.
This week, Alcaraz advanced to the semifinals after a dominant win over Jiri Lehecka - also a Delbianco diner, while Sinner will face Musetti on Wednesday.
'They talked, they laughed,' said Hodzic of the unexpected meetup between Alcaraz and Sinner. 'They had a very good time. It's always very relaxed here - they feel at home.'
The restaurant has also welcomed fellow stars Andrey Rublev, Leylah Fernandez, and Jasmine Paolini during the tournament.
Coincidentally, Alcaraz and Sinner attended dinner at the restaurant on the same night
Lorenzo Musetti, Sinner's upcoming opponent, also dined at Delbianco
Meanwhile, a brazen US Open fan made headlines after being caught red handed trying to open and steal something from Sinner's bag on Monday night.
The Italian had just secured his spot in the quarter-finals of the tournament in New York City and packed up his tennis gear before heading back to the locker room.
Sinner, a four-time Grand Slam champion, was about to leave the court when he walked over to fans in the front row to hand one of them a towel.
As he did so, Sinner then paused to take a selfie with another supporter.
Sensing his opportunity, the daring fan can be seen leaning over and starting to try and pull the zip down on his bag.
Fortunately a security guard quickly noticed what was going on and swatted the fan's hands away before he got into Sinner's bag.
