Last Thursday, Sport.co.uk was kindly invited to swankier-than-swanky Soho nightspot Movida in order to attend an exclusive party celebrating Slazenger’s long-standing association with Wimbledon.
So, armed with a Dictaphone, an empty stomach and the grainy camera phone of an old Sony Ericsson, we turned up at 8pm prompt in order to take maximum advantage of the promise of free drinks up until 10pm.
.JPG)
Pretending to be friends with Pat Cash
The lavisher-than-lavish Movida was sporting a thorough and attractive tennis get up, with variously-sized balls and rackets scattered liberally about, while good-looking people traipsed from table to table with trays full of delicious nibbles which ranged from the sophisticated (rare steak Yorkshire puds, mini smoked salmon canapés) to the simply topical (cucumber sandwiches, strawberries and cream).
This Evening With Richard and Judy ('s Daughter, on the left)
All the while, the friendly and attentive bar staff kept a production line of complementary alcoholic delights going even beyond the threatened 10pm cut-off point. Said delights included the “Bombay Sapphire Centre Court” which, whatever it consisted of, rested well on top of the happy stomach lining provided by entrees on trays. (See what we did there?)
"What did you say this was for again? Sports.com or something?"
Oh yes – apparently the place was choc-full of celebrity types. Sport.co.uk couldn’t help but spot Pat Cash, John McEnroe and Jonathan Ross (the three of whom staged an impromptu game of tennis with Ross umpiring), while we spent a minute or so talking to a glamorous young lady who, by dint of next morning’s Daily Mail report, we learned to be Chloe Madeley, daughter of Richard and Judy.
"No, Sport.co.uk...that's SPORT in the singular...here's my card."
According to the Mail report, Kirsty Gallacher, Jenny Frost, James DeGale, Brian Lara and GMTV presenter Emma Crosby were also in attendance. Sport.co.uk might just have been having too much fun to notice. (Nice to see a sporting legend such as Lara lumped in with a GMTV presenter and a member of Atomic Kitten, isn’t it?)
Your intrepid reporter with his one oversized ball
All in all, the Slazenger party at the plusher-than-plush Movida was aesthetically delightful, superbly executed and, basically, a great deal of fun. And guests got free tennis balls. Good ones, too. Sport.co.uk would like to wholeheartedly thank everyone involved in the chain of circumstances that resulted in us being lucky enough to attend!