Pupils enjoy 'once in a lifetime' Wimbledon role
Four school children chosen to be ball boys and boy girls at Wimbledon say working at the tournament has been a “once in a lifetime experience”.
Adam, Oscar, Caitlin and Oliver, from The Beacon School in Banstead, have been working on courts across the tournament, including being a part of Arthur Fery’s first match on his route to the semi-finals.
The pupils, aged 14 and 15, now all say they want to go on to work on one of the show courts and soak in the atmosphere of some the biggest tennis matches this summer.
Speaking about Fery’s first match, Adam, 14, said: “It was really nice to do – he was really nice, and the atmosphere was intense.”
Oscar, 14, who also worked the match, added: “My mum and my uncle were both ball crew too and it inspired me to try out.
“It has definitely pushed my limits.”
The quartet from Surrey are part of the group of about 250 people selected to pick up and deliver balls to players across the courts.
Working the tournament involved intense training to make sure they were prepared, with 15-year-old Oscar saying training was “harder than the championship itself”.
He added: “I think it’s wonderful. It’s a once in a lifetime experience – all the hard work paid off and I am lucky to have this.”
Wimbledon ball boys and girls are typically around 15 years old, although the crews can continue to do the job until they are 18, should they want to re-apply.
Caitlin, 14, said: “It’s great to be so close to some of the best players in the world.
“It’s normal to be nervous, but once you get into it it’s a really great experience.”
Britain’s Fery is due to play his semi-final against Alexander Zverev on Friday, with the women’s singles final scheduled for Saturday, and the men’s singles final on Sunday.
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