27th June - New Balls, please!



It's that day of the year again... Wimbledon kicks off today, and I'm en route into London for a hectic few days. Today, I'll be kicking off with a late-lunch at Butchies, and a few pints in Soho with one of my best mates who I've not actually seen since last October due to various geographical and economical issues etc. It will be great to catch up with the little pocket rocket and hear all about his new job, and following that, I'm off to the Comedy Store to witness the final 'Gong Night' of the year before my own debut there next month. Call it a 'scouting mission' if you will, but no doubt I'll pick up some inspiration there, too. 

Following that, I'm off to Berenjak for a traditional Iranian dinner. I adore Persian food, particularly Koobideh and/or Joojeh, but I can't allow it to develop into a hugely late night as I'm then off to see a couple more of my besties, who live in SW18, a short stone's throw from the iconic SW19, and of course, home of the All England Tennis & Lawn Association... AKA. Wimbledon. My last venture to the grassy knolls of Centre Court was a full 4 years ago - partly due to COVID - and I'm excited to once again venture into the land of Pimms/Stella, and Strawberries & Cream. Sadly, this year's tournament will see the exclusion of the G.O.A.T. Roger Federer is out, due to injury problems. But we're rolling back the years via a cast list involving Rafa Nadal, Andy Murray, and the unfortunately likely winner, Novak Djokovic. 



Persian Persuasion... Berenjak in Soho serves Koobideh & Joojeh


If you're looking for a dark horse, my money would be on Matteo Berrettini, but I'm 99% sure it will be the Djoker yet again who takes home his 7th title. I'll certainly be better prepared than I was in 2018. On that occasion, I'd spent the entire day/evening before the tournament, drinking at Ealing's 'Duke of Kent' pub, watching the World Cup. By the time I rolled into bed, it was the early hours of the morning and I was up again at 6am to catch an Uber to the fabled Wimbledon queue, where I found myself marooned in a field with no shade in 30 degree heat. This time, I'll be taking a hat, shades, a waterproof poncho, an iced coffee/energy drink, at least a litre of water, some food, and a portable phone charger. Stay tuned to tomorrow's blog when I'll be giving every reader £10 for free! Until then, enjoy today's matches...




... New balls, please! 



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