Alright, folks, let’s rewind and lookback on 2023, a year that felt like a tennis match with more twists and turns than a Novak Djokovic v Rafa Nadal final.

🚀New Gig, New Work Digs:

I started a new role as Head of Marketing for a company that spans financial services, luxury lifestyle and real estate. In a short 6 months, I launched a new brand, a banging website, curated a string of exceptional events at notable venues, levelled up their content game, implemented a new PR strategy, brought in one of my previous colleagues and best hires to date to help realise my vision to upskill the visual communications to stand head and shoulders above peers and competitors and developed a sector-leading marketing internship program. Yes. I. Did. That. 

🎾 Tennis Adventures… or Lack Thereof

On a more personal note, tennis, my usual refuge, took a back seat this year. A combination of factors, including an unwelcome bout of Long Covid, sidelined my usual routine. To add to the challenge, Rafa Nadal’s absence from the tennis circuit for almost a year dampened my motivation. But fear not, tennis enthusiasts, because the good news has arrived – Rafa is making a comeback. In fact, I can confirm he has just won his first singles match back on tour a few minutes ago – against none other than former US Open champion, Dominic Thiem. Suffice to say, I’ve dusted off my racket and a couple of cute tennis outfits. Vamos!

🔮2024 – a Sneak Peek:

I’m not one to talk about what I’m looking forward to in the year ahead, I find that exercise quite pointless. I prefer to pause and take stock of today. Probably explains my relentless spontaneity. The only ‘looking ahead’ thing I’m prepared to talk about is Rafa’s return, of which I will dive deeper into later (and yes, I am aware that this is the second time I’ve mentioned this in a single post). But in the spirit of 2024 dreams, wishes, goals etc, I’ll simply say may the year be filled with lots of exciting sporting moments (Olympics is beckoning and on our time zone no less – kind of), may we witness lots of tennis drama (Tsitspas and Djokovic never disappoint in this regard), may I continue to build stellar brands and host noteworthy events that you all wish you attended, may I get to watch Rafa live during the European clay court season, and of course, we wish for health, good times and endless celebrations.