Serving all the highlights from our Babington tennis weekender

Last weekend, we hosted our very first Soho Grand Slam – a two-day tennis tournament held at Babington House in partnership with Lacoste. 

Taking over the 18 acres of English countryside, members and their guests joined us on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 July for special talks, competitions, cinema screenings, and a barbecue feast. Plus, there were plenty of drinks – from Pimm’s to the Le Chose (The Thing), an original non-alcoholic cocktail invented by René Lacoste. We also made the most of the five tennis courts on the grounds by hosting tennis masterclasses and the Soho Grand Slam itself. 

Former tennis champion Annabel Croft gave members an insight into her professional career in her talk on Saturday. And after leading a masterclass on Sunday, Miles Maclagan – ex-player and coach to the likes of Andy Murray – was interviewed on stage. Founders of Black Girls Tennis Club, Virginia Thornton and Kimberly Selden, were another unforgettable highlight, flying in from the States to lead King and Queen of the Court sessions on both days. They also hosted afternoon discussions on radical wellness and breaking systemic barriers within the tennis world, and empowering young girls in their community to play the game. 

Members turned up in their best tennis outfits and collected a printed schedule in preparation for the weekend ahead. Everyone gathered together to watch the Soho Grand Slam finals, while indulging in strawberries and cream in the sunshine, and relaxed in the screening room with special showings of Battle Of The Sexes and Match Point. The evening featured a DJ set by the pool area, lots of dancing and plenty of good vibes. 

Scroll on to see the weekend highlights. 

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