A TEESSIDE girl got the chance to witness British sporting history first hand after being selected as a ball kid for the recent Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at London’s O2 Arena.
Cheri Darley, aged 12, who plays tennis at Tennis World, Middlesbrough described her experience being a ball kid for the world number one showdown between Andy Murray and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in the final of the event as an “experience of a lifetime.”
Cheri was the youngest of all the ball kids taking part in the tournament, but said everyone made her feel welcome and she settled in straight away.
The 12-year-old was given a Lacoste kit when she arrived at the hotel, and got the chance to go on a tour of the O2.
“I couldn’t believe how big it was” she said.
Cheri had to wake up at 7.30am every morning to be ready for her important role at the tournament, which sees the top eight male players in the rankings battle it out in the final event of the season.
Cheri said she was a bit apprehensive about being away from home for a week, but found the whole experience very exciting.
“Before my first match, I was so nervous as my team was selected to run out first,” she said.
“The music was pounding and the atmosphere was electric – we all ran out to thousands of people in the crowd.
“As the week went on I was more and more confident and enjoyed it even more.”
The tournament concluded with Murray beating Djokovic in straight sets to finish the year as world number one for the first time in his career.
The victory ended a remarkable year for the British number one, who won a second Wimbledon title and became the first male player to successfully defend an Olympic singles title in Rio.
“I loved being at the trophy presentation at the end where we all got our photos took with Andy Murray,” said Cheri.
“I’ve had the best time ever and made some amazing lifelong friends.”