The Taste of Tennis is considered the world’s premier tennis and food experience. For over 17 years this amazing event has paired together tennis greats with top chefs to create an intimate and exciting fan experience that is unlike any other! The celebration of tennis and food kicks things off before the Miami Open and the US Open in New York City every year, but in 2017, the party has it’s California debut ahead of Indian Wells. In this video our host Mayleen Ramey takes you behind the scenes with your favorite tennis pros to show everyone why Taste of Tennis is a delicious success!
As an appetizer for a great evening, Mayleen greets players on the red carpet to find out which players are foodies and to dish out a little challenge. Belinda Bencic, Lucie Safarova, Kristina Mladenovic, Victoria Azarenka, and Sam Querrey put their nose to the test in our Smell Challenge where they had to identify food and tennis related items using only their nose. “What the hell is that?” Mladenovic questioned. Bencic was pleased with what she encountered, “Tennis balls! That’s the best smell ever!”
Once inside players don their official aprons and play sous chef to a culinary master, preparing food they will serve to excited guests. We joined Brazilian tennis star Marcelo Melo and famous chef Seamus Mullen to stir up a tasty vinaigrette made with the healthy probiotic drink Lifeway Kefir. Another player who heated things up in the kitchen was Garbine Muguruza, who shared her favorite pre-match meal. “I did a Monte Cristo sandwich, which is one of my favorite sandwiches. It has French toast, and ham, and ham, and ham, and ham.” Garbine described with a laugh. Whatever you do, don’t forget the ham!
A party would be nothing without fun and playful music, and at Taste of Tennis, the DJ might surprise you! Music master Gael Monfils and DJ Mad Linx tore the house down with their sick beats and high energy. The Frenchman also brought a bit of mystique. When asked if he had a DJ name, Monfils decided to remain anonymous. “I do, but it’s a secret!” It wasn’t a secret that his talent and charm attracted fellow tennis stars, Venus Williams and Francis Tiafoe, to show off their own dance moves on stage! Gael’s friend and WTA competitor Victoria Azarenka is no stranger to the music industry and put in some serious work in the DJ booth herself.
You can take the tennis players away from the court, but you can’t take the competition out of the tennis players. Canadians Genie Bouchard and Heidi El Tabakh entertained guests with a Ping Pong match. What started as a friendly game turned into a high stakes competition where the loser may end up taking a jump into the swimming pool!
Thank you for joining us for this all access pass to one of the hottest events of the year! This combination of food, fun and tennis can’t be beat. For all the ticket information visit TasteofTennis.com. Trust us, you don’t want to miss a single bite!
