Being a ball kid for the ATP World Tour Finals is by far the best thing that I have done in my life.
To actually get to the O2, I had to go through two stages of application, with one being filling in an online form giving answers and information as to why I wanted to be a ball kid and why I thought I should be chosen, and then the national trials. There were two national trials with one being in Manchester and one being in London. Having been tested there on balance, speed, agility, teamwork and other such necessities, we then had to wait two weeks to discover if we had been selected.
Along with the other 29 kids selected, I travelled down to Southampton for a week of vigorous training in order to get us up to the standard the players would have been expecting. It was exhausting but in the end, well worth it. When we arrived at the O2 the day before the start of the tournament, we were given our first chance to run onto the court without any people watching or players waiting. I was one of the first six to run on. The introduction was played through the loud speaker as the doors opened for us and we were able to run onto the court and appreciate for the first time just how huge it was. Needless to say it was breath-taking.
On the first day of the tournament, we were given our teams, team captains and positions. Being allocated as team-captain and a centre, it was my duty to ensure that my team were where they needed to be on time. When the time came for our first go onto the court, we were switching with the current ball kids for the singles match, meaning the doors in the corridor were open and we were able to see the packed crowd outside, which increased the nervous atmosphere within the corridor.
However, when game was called and we walked onto court at change of ends, all sense of nervousness was replaced with excitement as we began to perform what had been drilled into us at the week of training. With the crowd yelling for their player, the atmosphere was incredible and being so close to the players, we were able to appreciate first hand, just how skilled they are in their sport and how much effort they put into everything they do on court and off. Having been to the finals before to watch, I found it so much more incredible to be on the court alongside the players as it gave the game a new sense of reality.
Throughout the week, we were able to see the players in their element and meet some of them off the court. As well as this, we were also lucky enough to meet some of the players from previous years such as Greg Rusedski and Pat Cash. Meeting these incredible players face to face and being able to have a conversation with them was extraordinary and something I had never expected to be able to do. Also, while all thirty of us were able to spend the week on centre court with numerous players, many of us were given opportunities outside of this. For example, my team was selected three out of four times to ball kid for Lacoste U14 Invitational matches both within the fan zone and the VIP/ sponsors village where we were able to see some of the future stars. Also, on the first day of the tournament, I was one of the selected to go to the O2 early to assist Greg Rusedski in running a tennis taster session for Barclay’s customer’s kids. As well as this, on the last day, the five team captains were invited to a ‘meeting’ in the early morning without being told what it was for. Having gone downstairs, we then travelled to the O2 before the rest of the team, still unaware of what we would be doing.
Upon arriving, we went to centre court where our coach, Mark, offered us the chance to hit on the same court that the players use. The sense of having the entire stadium surrounding us, despite it being empty, was amazing and gave us a real sense of how nerve-wracking it must be for the players every time they walk onto court. Having hit on the court for around twenty minutes, we were then joined by Pat Cash, who we were able to assist in leading a coaching clinic for Barclay’s customers. Needless to say that was an amazing start to the day. However, my day only got better when our team was chosen to run on for the doubles finals. Once on court, the presentation for ‘Barclays Ball Kid of the Year’ was announced, on which each ball kid and coach had taken a vote the previous day. Much to my surprise, I was the winner of the award. My trophy was presented to me on court by the court supervisor and I was later asked for my details in order for media to use. Having so many people applauding me for getting an award that I didn’t expect on the court that the top eight players in the world have played on, having hit on that same court and met Pat Cash earlier then later going on to ball kid for the doubles final, summed up the best day of my life.