As our team perfect the final plans for this week’s Boodles Tennis, we’re looking forward to hosting the Garden Party of the North in a marquee beside the Mere lake.

Although the weather doesn’t appear to be playing ball, it doesn’t put a dampener on our spirits, as we plan to serve up plenty of premium hospitality, accompanied by world class tennis.

Who’ll be joining us?

Goran Ivanisevic (CRO)

Goran will always be best remembered for his historic Wimbledon win in 2001.  He became the only wildcard ever to win the Championships, having been a finalist on three previous occasions. After a rain interrupted week, he won on “People’s Monday” in a drama filled five set match against Pat Rafter.

Away from the All England Club, Goran reached a career high ranking of 2 and won 19 singles titles in his career.  His trademark lefty serve saw him frequently delivering over 2000 aces a year.  Off the court Goran is a passionate football fan and he currently coaches Marin Cilic.

Mikael Pernfors (SWE)

Mikael reached the French Open Final in 1986 on his first appearance at Roland Garros. He won the Masters Series event in Canada and is famously remembered for losing at Wimbledon to Connors after leading by two sets and 4-1. His career was severely blighted by injury, otherwise he would have surely won many more titles.  He reached a career high of World No 10.

Mikael has a golf handicap of three and lives in Florida with Kristina and their children, Figge and Bella.

Henri Leconte (FRA)                                                 

Henri has won armies of fans with his flamboyant style and mischievous sense of humour. Henri reached the French Open final in 1998 where he was beaten by Mats Wilander. He won the French Open doubles in 1984.

In 1991, he won the Davis Cup by achieving the Herculean feat of defeating both Agassi and Sampras in front of an adoring French crowd after returning from a back operation a few months earlier that had confined him to a wheelchair.

Thomas Muster (AUS)

Muster was the original King of Clay and was known for his brutal strength and endurance which enabled him to wear down his opponents.  He won eight ATP Masters Series titles on three different surfaces, including three titles apiece at Monte-Carlo and Rome. He won 24 straight clay-court finals between May 1990 and July 1995. In 1993, he lifted seven trophies and won 55 of his 65 matches on red dirt.

Two years later, he was crowned the “King of Clay” when he won 40 consecutive clay-court matches culminating with the French Open crown.   Eight months later he reached the pinnacle of the game, capturing the World number 1 spot.   Away from the court Thomas is a successful entrepreneur with businesses in property, clothing, wine and many more.

Xavier Malisse (BEL)

Xavier Malisse’s best grand slam performance came at Wimbledon in 2002 when he reached the semi-finals beating Greg Rusedski and former champion Richard Krajicek on the way.

One of only two Belgians to have made it into the World’s Top 20 (the other being David Goffin), he reached a high of number 19 and captured 3 singles titles during his career.  In 2004 he was the French Open Doubles Champion with partner Oliver Rochus.

With a line up like this, we don’t care what the weather’s doing… it’s going to be a fabulous three day affair! We expect to serve 600 afternoon teas, open 400 bottles of Champagne and welcome over 700 guests.

If you’ll be joining us, we look forward to welcoming you!

Game. Set… Mere!