Last week, the Z/Yen team and associates did tennis the Z/Yen way. About 30 of us descended upon Boston Manor, with a view to 16 of us competing for the heralded Z/Yen ChampionZ trophy. It was Chiara von Gunten’s first working day, so we hope she doesn’t get into the habit of knocking off work every day at 15:30 and spending the rest of the afternoon enjoying sport and revelry. Within about 15 seconds of starting practice with her randomly-picked doubles partner, Ian Harris, she had “caught him amidships” from behind. Not a good career move on your first day, Chiara.

Undeterred, Ian did his share at the net, even after wearing one from Big Nick Danev at close to point blank range. Chiara and Ian ended up defeated semi-finalists, as did Simon Strez (pictured below, modelling designer shades from the pound shop) and Stephanie Rochford, the latter showing a competitive spirit perhaps modelled on that of John McEnroe. Meanwhile Maury Shenk won the John McEnroe lookalike contest and went on, together with his partner Ben Morris, to the final. But they in turn were defeated by Joey Crouse and Leonor Fishman, despite the unfeasibly maritime sound to the partnership “Crouse and Fishman”. Well done them.

With the barbeque sizzling and the refreshments flowing, the tennis competition soon became secondary, although plenty of people enjoyed some makeshift tennis after the tournament ended. The revelry went on long after dark, which takes some late-night stamina at this time of year.

Chiara, by the way, joins Z/Yen initially on a three month contract, primarily to look after the London Accord. But, as quite a few Z/Yen stalwarts can attest, “many stay longer”. Welcome, Chiara.