Top kids get taste of centre court

Jamie Yates is all concentration against Joshua White between sets on the first day of the Heineken Open. Picture / Greg Bowker

Playing in front of a crowd of spectators is bound to be daunting, particularly if you are only 12 years old. But that didn't stop some of New Zealand's youngest tennis hopes taking centre court at the Heineken Open yesterday.

In a competition designed to give budding stars a taste of the real thing, nine children have been selected to play in front of the crowd at the Auckland Tennis Centre.

For the country's leading under-13s, who played a round-robin of 10-point matches, it is a chance to mix with the professionals on and off court.

The nine stayed at the visiting players' hotel and travelled with them to the tennis. Their games were officiated by the same umpire, with line judges and ball kids. There were even post-match media conferences.

The competition is a collaboration between financial services company Sovereign and Auckland Tennis.

John McEwing, marketing manager for Auckland Tennis, said the youngsters were nervous to begin with, but once warmed up they played some really good tennis.

"It's about giving them a taste of the pro-circuit, and they've loved it," Mr McEwing said."It's amazing how much interest it generated among the crowds as well, who gave them a really good welcome."

Promising girls were given a similar experience during last week's ASB Classic, with Briar Preston from Mairangi Bay Tennis Club winning the contest. The boys' competition will conclude today.