THE LAWN TENNIS WRITERS’ ANNUAL AWARDS LUNCH HELD AT THE ALL ENGLAND CLUB

Written by: Staff on 23rd December 2016

THE LAWN TENNIS WRITERS’ ANNUAL AWARDS LUNCH HELD AT THE ALL ENGLAND CLUB |

By: April Tod

The great and the good from the world of tennis plus players past and present attended this year’s annual Lawn Tennis Writers’ Awards lunch again held in Centre Court’s Debenture lounge at the All England Lawn Tennis Club on Tuesday 29th November, and another memorable success.

Both this year’s Awards were won by the indomitable Murray brothers. Jamie, as the world number one doubles player, won the Service to Tennis Award which was presented to him by LTWA’s chairman Mike Dickson, (tennis correspondent for the Daily Mail), and afterwards Jamie gave a short but entertaining speech. His brother Andy was unable to attend to collect his ‘International Award’, it was left to his agent Matt Gentry to accept his award and added a few words of thanks and gratitude on Andy’s behalf.

With over 160 familiar faces from the world of tennis attending the lunch the congenial and relaxed atmosphere is clearly proof of its success. Apart from tennis writers, TV and radio broadcasters and photographers other luminaries from the world of tennis also attended including representatives from the LTA, ATP, WTA, ITF, AELTC as well as LTWA’s sponsor for the past three years, Barclays.

Even the setting fits appropriately; Centre Court’s Debenture lounge overlooks courts 14, 15 and 16 with Court One as a backdrop although this year it was more like a building site with major construction work going on for the new retractable roof due to be completed in 2019.

The lunch kicked off at mid-day with a drinks reception when guests and journalists mixed and mingled with colleagues from the world of sport. As a change from tradition, the Awards presentation went ahead as soon as soon as everyone was seated but not before LTWA chairman Mike Dickson delivered a well prepared speech.

While guests relaxed over Prawn and Crayfish cocktail starters several volunteers scoured tables selling raffle tickets on behalf of Greenhouse sports charity, a charity that provides free fully trained coaches to teach underprivileged kids to play tennis and other sports. Fortunately, past raffle prizes have proved popular which meant tickets sold very quickly. Again this year’s raffle included several prizes donated by ‘10sballs.com’.

After the delicious main course of Char-grilled Corn fed chicken breast accompanied by sweet corn mash had been served Sky’s popular tennis presenter Marcus Buckland conducted the charity auction something he has done several times in the past. Undoubtedly his unique wit and humour is what persuades punters to donate generously as well as his often risqué remarks and innuendos which left many guests in fits of laughter, some even choking over their Salted Caramel Cheesecake desert that had been served during the auction. But all went well for Mel Coleman, (Annabel Croft’s husband) who was the highest bidder for a luxury 5 star holiday in Verdura, Sicily, and John Beddington, who successfully bid for the four ball at the famous Stoke Park golf and Country Club.

It’s always a good sign when Wimbledon’s chairman Philip Brook is one of the last guests to leave that the lunch went well …. Roll on next year!