For the 31st year, a glittering crowd of the who’s who in tennis gathers at this annual gala given by the ITF, honoring the champions of the past year. No clay covered shoes or sox at this party. Guests and honoree’s don their best... men in dark suits and tie’s, some of them black, and designer dresses for the girls. Even the photographers show up in their Sunday best for this do. I wore one of my favorites, a Chinese style dress I had made in Shanghai
The evening starts with Moet & Chandon champagne,
appetizers and socializing. The theme of the evening is the rose, tiny hors d’oeuvres are topped with rose petals 
A jazz trio provides background music.Most of the photographers stand in the front and snap photos of the arriving guests, but the paparazzi style if not for me. I prefer to mingle, sip champagne, and oh yes…do a few photos too. I spot Virgina Wade, she smiles and I snap a quick pic.
And there's Isobel Gemmel from the ITF showing off her new, stylish French designer necklace.
At 8:45 everyone moves to the dining room for dinner and the awards presentation. The tables are spectacular, set with white triangular serving plates, red glassware, small red candles and red and white roses.
Andrew Castle is the master of ceremonies, he opens the evening with a few comments, and there is a welcome speech by Francesco Ricci Bitti, President of the International Tennis Federation, before the first course.
Wow, the waiters are arriving with glass bowls containing Sea Bass Carpaccio, with a Spring Ginger Sauce, and Sushi Rice, set in smoking dry ice. Very cool. and yes that can be read two ways, and both of them are correct!
Between the first and main courses, the 2008 World Champions receive trophies. There are awards for Men’s and Women’s singles, Rafael Nadal and Jelena Jankovic, men’s and women’s doubles, Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic, and Cara Black and Liezel Huber, the girls and boys juniors, Noppawan Lercheewakarn ..no, I have no idea how to pronounce this .. but this is the girl from Thailand, and the boy Tsung-Hua Yang from Taipai, The wheelchair champions are Shingo Kunieda, and Esther Vergeer.
Okay, awards, speeches and photos done, it’s time for the main course. The lights are dimmed and waiters arrive bearing lighted domes covering the main course of skewered ”Roasted Veal Fillet with a Dauphinois Potato Stack”
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.that description is taken straight from the menu. If the first course was spectacular .. this was amazing. The French really know how to serve food.I also have to comment about the wine. A wonderful white with the first course, and perfect Bordeaux with the main.
Now this is fine dining.
After the second course, more awards, Peachy Kellmayer for the Golden Achievement Award, and Martina Navratilova for the Philippe Chatrier Award.
Past winners of this prestigious award include, tennis royalty, Rod Laver, Jack Kramer, Billie Jean King, and Chris Evert to name a few.Martina is serious, gracious, and humorous in her acceptance speech. She has a list of a few things that she thinks would improve the game of tennis.
One thing that got a round of applause was the stopping of all the grunting and screaming, another was a limit on the number of times a player can bounce the ball before serving. There were also more serious concerns, such as more consistency in the balls used, and the hardness of the hard courts.
It’s finally time for desert, and after the last two presentations everyone is wondering what they can do with the desert that will surprise and delight us.
Well, let me tell you, we were not disappointed. Again straight from the menu, “Hibiscus Poached Peach, Candy Floss and Vanilla Cream” Beautiful, and delicious like the rest of the meal. Add to that, Coffee, Chocolate, and Macaroons, and we are all ready for the cars that will come at midnight to deliver us to our hotels.
Thank you ITF for a very special evening.
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