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London Tennis Desk correction: 16/3/10 17:45
Despite Team GB losing to Lithuania in the Davis Cup last weekend, tennis is still in the ascendancy in London, with the Barclays organising a series of trials to find "ball kids" for the ATP Masters finals at the O2 sponsored by Barlcays. Over 1,600 children already applied to be ballkids, with the final trials held in west London in April, with former Wimbledon Champion Pat Cash one of the judges.
The London Daily News observed the trials held at the Score Centre in Leyton, which tests the 12-16 year olds agility, co-ordination, ball skills, speed and endurance. One of the eager hopefuls was former Essex number one junior tennis champion, Sam Viravong, who at 14 years has decided to focus on his studies and the opportunity to become a ball boy for Roger Federrer is a major motivation: "I am focused on my studies but this is a great chance for me to get back involved in tennis if I am selected".
London has seen investment at the grass roots level of the game increase with the Tennis Foundation actively working with local authorities to enhance public access tennis courts and transform them into "beacons" for the local community to play tennis. The ATP is hoping that thirty youngsters will be found in the UK to "join top eight tennis players and stars".
The ATP Masters Finals will take place at the o2 Centre on 21-28 November, and will be staged at the o2 centre until 2013.
photo credit: London Daily News
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