Droitwich youngster could be ball girl at major tennis tournament (From Worcester News)

Droitwich youngster could be ball girl at major tennis tournament

8:40am Tuesday 12th March 2013 in News

A DROITWICH girl has taken a step closer to meeting the world’s best tennis players.

Paige Hunt has made it to the final stage of a search to find ball boys and girls for a major tournament.

The 13-year-old attended the Barclays Ball Kids regional trial in West Bromwich on Saturday, March 2 and was chosen for a place at the final selection stage. It means she is within touching distance of becoming a ball girl for this year’s Barclays ATP World Tour Finals held at The O2, London, in November and could meet the likes of Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

Showing impressive athleticism, agility, endurance, co-ordination, ball skills, balance, speed and team work, the Barclays Ball Kids Talent ID team selected her as one of the top kids in the area.

Paige, who goes to the Malvern St James Girls School, was thrilled to make it through. She said: “If I were to be picked as a Barclays Ball Kid it would be an amazing experience. I actually went to The O2 last year to watch the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals and it was advertised there so I decided to sign up.

“Today was all about testing our balance skills and agility but I think the coaches are looking for someone that is very professional as well. I can’t wait to take part in the national final and if I got through to the final squad of 30 then that would be fantastic.”

Now in its fourth year, the national search is part of Barclays ongoing sponsorship of the event and aims to find thirty children aged between 12 – 16 years old to join the world’s top eight tennis players at the tournament.