It's been a dream come true for tennis super fan Elliott Walker.
Elliott, 16, of Lindley, has been working as a ballboy for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, which continues at the London O2 Arena until Monday.
The 16-year-old is one of just 30 ‘Barclays Ball Kids’ rubbing shoulders with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic at the glamorous eight-day finale to the tennis season.
He’s been on court three times a day – including when Roger Federer won the second set against Djokovic on Tuesday.
Elliott, who attends Huddersfield New College, beat off stiff competition from thousands of youngsters across the UK to earn the right to keep star players supplied with balls.
Having been hand-picked by six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker back in April, Elliott spent last week at a training camp at the Hampshire Health and Racquet Club in Southampton.
Elliott said: “The training camp was good, but very tiring at the same time.
“I knew it was going to be hard but my body was struggling.
“The best bit was meeting all the new people as I have made friends for life. The worst bit was getting up early in the morning because I am not a morning person.
“The long days were tiring, but well worth it because it is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am loving every minute of the experience so far.
“It seems ages away since that first trial, but ever since knowing that I was going to the camp time has just flown by.”
And Elliott, who plays at Huddersfield Lawn Tennis Club, is determined to make the most of his moment in the spotlight.
Yesterday he met his idol Rafael Nadal on court.
Earlier he said: “I am most looking forward to meeting Rafael Nadal because he is just an unbelievable player.”
