| Main Performers | Tim Henman,
Goran Ivanisevic
Mansour Bahrami,
John McEnroe,
Pat Cash,
Peter McNamara - tennis players |
| Secondary Performers | Danielle Alexandra, Centrepoint Trustee,
Seyi Obakin, Centrepoint CEO - speakers
Heather Watson,
Novak Djokovic,
Born Bjorg,
Boris Becker - speakers |
| Set List | White Carpet Entrance for Gala Guests (17:30),
Champagne and Canape Reception (18:00),
Exclusive Gala Dinner (18:30),
Welcome by Special Guests of Honour (19:00),
Dessert in VIP boxes (20:30),
Spectacular Entertainment,
Tournament Singles Match - Henman v Ivanisevic (4-6, 6-2, (10-6)),
Presentation of Centrepoint Premier Award for Contribution to the Lives of Youth Across the World to World No.1 Tennis Player Novak Djokovic,
Doubles Exhibition - Bahrami, McEnroe v Cash, McNamera |
| Royal Presence | HRH The Duke of Cambridge |
| Performance Notes | This end-of-year tournament is the season finale to the Tour of Champions, a year-long Tour that makes its way across Europe and the world and pits past tennis champions against each other in order to earn ranking points.
The Masters Tennis is now firmly established as the UK's most popular indoor tournament - drawing crowds of more than 30,000 over the course of the event.
Ivan Lendl was forced to withdraw from the Statoil Masters Tennis event, because of injuries to his knee and hip. He was replaced in Group A of the Legends tournament by Guy Forget of France. 'I am very disappointed that I will not be fit enough to play in the Statoil Masters Tennis in London' said Lendl, 'I have been looking forward to playing in the tournament all year having heard so much about it. For now I will concentrate on fixing and rehabilitating my knee and hip but I hope to be able to play at the Royal Albert Hall in the future.' Lendl's withdrawal means that Forget will now face John McEnroe on Friday night and Jeremy Bates on Saturday afternoon. On the ATP Champions Tour, some of the matches between Forget and McEnroe have been electric affairs.
Order of play: 'Singles matches will consist of two short sets with a tie break at 6-6. AChampions Tie Break will be played to decide the winner if the score is level at one set all. The format of the doubles matches will be decided on a match by match basis and will be announced by the umpire at the start of the match'.
Performances were filmed and broadcast by ITV4.
The winter whites Gala was presented by Centrepoint, IMG and Danielle Alexandra Productions on behalf of Centrepoint. The event was attended by HRH the Duke of Cambridge, who attended a pre-show reception, gallery dinner and spoke during the presentation of the Centrepoint Premier Award for Contribution to the Lives of Youth Across the World to Djokovic.
Novak Djokovic joined Tim Henman on court to play against Centrepoint mentored children and their Centrepoint trained coach, as well as Jonathan Ross, John McEnroe, and Born Bjorg with Heather Watson offering advice.
In addition, during the doubles exhibition, Novak Djokovic played a couple of sets and Goran Ivanisevic took over a umpire.
Celebrities attending the event included Jonathan Ross, Sam Branson, Sadie Frost, Kate Moss, Hugh Grant, Bjorn Borg, Boris Becker, Ivan Lendl and Chris Evert.
Dress code was formal attire/black and whites.
A blue carpet was laid in the West car park for VIP guests to enter via Door 6.
HRH The Duke of Cambridge attended a Patron of Centrepoint. |
| Related Archival Material | Programmes (RAHE/1/2012/182-3),
Handbills (RAHE/6/2012/80-81),
Setlist,
Poster (RAHE/2/2012/39) |