Guests gathered at Boodles in Manchester city centre to celebrate the launch of this year’s Boodles Tennis event at The Mere Golf Resort and Spa, near Knutsford.

Business leaders, tennis stars and sponsors enjoyed canapes prepared by Gino D’Acampo’s to mark the occasion and raised a glass of Nyetimber to toast the three-day garden party which takes place from June 21st-23rd.

Tennis legend Xavier Malisse also announced that former Wimbledon champions Kim Clijsters and Marion Bartoli will be taking part in Boodles Tennis 2017, set in the beautiful grounds of The Mere.

Speaking after the launch party, tournament director Vicky Collins thanked main sponsor Boodles as well as their new sponsor for 2017, the private bank Brown Shipley, Oman Air and Manchester Airport.

She said: ‘There’s so much to look forward to this year. For the first time, we will hold a true ladies day as Kim Clijsters and Marion Bartoli will feature at The Mere. We also have favourites Xavier and Goran Ivanisevic returning along with other legends of the sport over the three days, who will entertain and mix with the crowds.’

Guests at the launch event at Boodles on King Street also enjoyed associate sponsors Aspall Suffolk cider. Long standing sponsor Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Manchester provided a spectacular arrival for guest player Xavier, dropping him at the entrance in a new Ghost.

Boodles Tennis at The Mere is also proud to support the Seashell Trust this year, a national charity supporting children and young adults with learning difficulties across the UK.

Sule Cooper left with a pair of business class flights to Muscat as Oman Air provided a highlight to the evening with their prize draw to announce their arrival to both Manchester Airport from May 1st and as a sponsor to Boodles Tennis.

www.theboodles.com