FIRST LOOK: Wilson's NYC Pop-Up Museum & Store
See what's in store at the new Wilson Pop-Up Museum, located in SoHo.
For more than forty years, Wilson has been at the center of New York tennis as the official ball and racket stringer of the US Open. Earlier this year we opened the Wilson Pop-Up Museum, and now we are excited to announce the opening of our permanent Wilson Flagship Store in the same location.
Located at 594 Broadway in SoHo, the new Wilson Pop-Up Museum opens Thursday, August 19th at noon. The Grand Opening will be attended by legendary tennis star Billie Jean King, among other notable members of the NYC tennis community. The museum's first exhibit, "LOVE ALL: A Wilson Tennis Experience" lands during the lead-up to the 2021 US Open, which will take place in Flushing, N.Y. from Monday, Aug. 30 to Sunday, Sept. 12. The six-week pop-up experience pays homage to Wilson’s long-standing history in the sport of tennis, including contributions from groundbreaking athletes and Wilson Advisory Staff members, plus the extraordinary milestones in tennis innovation achieved by Wilson R&D.
While walking through the Pop-Up Museum, guests will be able to experience our legacy in tennis firsthand. Historical milestones featured include:
- Jimmy McDaniel Breaks Tennis’ Color Barrier – On July 29, 1940, McDaniel played in the first interracial tennis match against Don Budge. The event, set up by Wilson Sporting Goods, was held at the Cosmopolitan Tennis Club in Harlem.
- Jack Kramer: Pioneer of Open Era Tennis – With a presence more powerful than his fierce forehand, Kramer’s impact on the game was enormous. The multiple Grand Slam® winner championed the serve-and-volley style of play and is considered one of the game’s great promoters, strongly advocating for open tennis between pros and amateurs.
- Billie Jean King Fights for Equal Rights – The guest of honor’s historic ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match viewed by an estimated ninety million people worldwide ignited the feminist movement for women’s sports. The BJK autograph racket came to symbolize King’s role as an equal rights advocate and ambassador.
- Serena Williams Becomes Best of the Open Era – On Jan. 28, 2017, Williams added to her storied career by winning her 23rd Grand Slam® singles title at the Australian Open, the most by any player in the Open Era.
- 20 Slams, Only One Roger – Amassing an incredible 20 men’s major singles titles since turning pro in 1998, Federer is one of the most prolific men’s champions the game has seen. His career excellence in singles is led by dominance on grass and hardcourt where he’s won an Open-era record eighth men’s Wimbledon titles, five US Opens, six Australian Opens, and six ATP World Tour Finals. He’s done it all with a Wilson racket in hand, including his current Pro Staff RF97 Autograph.
- Kith for Wilson – Wilson’s rich history with New York City and love for working with barrier breakers extends beyond the sport of tennis. In an homage to the zeitgeist of the beloved game, Wilson embarks on a landmark collaboration with Kith, an NYC-based global lifestyle brand known for creating premium products that capture passion and evoke nostalgia. Through Kith’s discerning perspective and uncompromising standard, the partnership inspires future stories to be told, by a new generation of players and fans alike.
The pop-up will also serve as a retail location, where Wilson Sportswear, including its latest tennis-inspired apparel collection for men and women, will be available for purchase along with a curated assortment of performance footwear, balls, accessories, and tennis rackets – including limited edition and exclusive items such as the Kith x Wilson Pro Staff 97 and the US Open Clash.
The store also offers interactive elements, like a “racket maestro” offering racket customization and stringing, apparel personalization, and an Instagram-worthy tennis ball room that features an immersive art installation. NYC-inspired details can be seen throughout the Pop-Up, including a map of the city with tennis court locations identified.
The Pop-Up also features a gallery showcasing select iconic Wilson tennis equipment and a unique display that breaks down the Making of a Modern Racket.
The second floor is an exclusive Sky Box lounge, that will host events and offer tournament viewing. Click here for a full schedule of Grand Opening events and appearances.
POP-UP MUSEUM AND STORE DETAILS:
HOURS
Monday - Saturday 11am - 8pm
Sunday 11am - 6pm
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LOCATION
594 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
The Pop-Up Museum is Wilson's second-ever dedicated retail store. The first, the Wilson Heritage Store, opened in our hometown of Chicago in July, 2021. More flagship stores will be opening in Los Angeles, Beijing and Shanghai in the coming months, so make sure to follow @wilson on social for the latest.